A picture is worth a thousand words and photography is the universal language. It’s also a lot of fun! Sometimes, however, it can be hard to fit serious photography for one or two family members into a vacation that every family member can enjoy. Here on the Schooner J&E Riggin, we’ve been able to achieve the best of both worlds and offer an opportunity to immerse yourself in an incredible nature and nautical photographic experience. For one very special photography cruise each year, we combine a completely unique photographic course with the relaxed pleasure of a sailing vacation aboard an historic Maine windjammer.
The J&E Riggin sailing grounds are one of the most exquisite marine environments in the world. The islands dotted with green spruce and the brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows of New England’s fall foliage are a vacationer’s, sailor’s and photographer’s paradise. Many of the Maine lighthouses we see are only accessible by water. Snug harbors, glorious natural colors, and spectacular light are unmatched any place else on earth. The sailing is exciting, the passengers and crew are friendly, and the world-class comfort food that comes from the galley’s woodstove is local and organic. This photo cruise is a great vacation for individuals, couples, or the entire family. There is an abundance of outdoor photo opportunities including other windjammers, Maine lighthouses, soaring bald eagles, diving osprey, playful porpoise, and curious harbor seals.
For the photographer in your family, imagine combining all this fun and adventure with skilled photography instructor Frank M. Chillemi working and teaching right by your side for the entire trip. There’s always time for presentations, hands-on experience, individual discussions of your work, shore side excursions and an opportunity to get in the launch boat to photograph the schooner in action, all while getting the one on one attention that makes this cruise so very special. Everyone who loves photography, from beginner to expert, is truly welcome. All you need is a camera (simple to exotic, film or digital), a taste for fun, a good appetite, and a sense of adventure.
Photographs from students have the opportunity to be featured in the Schooner J&E Riggin’s annual screensaver.
Frank M. Chillemi is a professional photographer and educator from Merrick, New York, where he lives with his wife Rose. He heads the Photo & Art Department for one of the largest companies on Long Island. Frank has taught photography at the State University of New York. His work has appeared in more than 250 publications such as Newsday, Aviation Week and Smithsonian. Frank’s photography has been exhibited at museums and galleries in the New York metropolitan area. He has been conducting landscape photography workshops and the Riggin’s Fall Photography cruise on the Maine Coast. Frank is the author of the critically acclaimed book of photography, Windjammers, Lighthouses and other Treasures of the Maine Coast. His photography was featured in Chef Anne Mahle’s cookbook At Home, At Sea: Recipes from the Maine Windjammer J&E Riggin. He is a warm, and attentive instructor who is generous with his time. You will find, as we have, that Frank really cares about his students.
To view some of Frank’s photographs for the schooner, visit the photo albums he has put together. And for photographs from Frank and students of our photography cruise download our free screensaver.
September 24 – 29, 2012
Price: $977 per person
Click here for a printable page of the Fall Photography Cruise.
For photos Frank has made from the Riggin – check out the annual photo galleries.
“Frank, the instructor was just filled with tips and tricks and patience on helping us get “The Shot” or as Frank put it, “Creating a picture.”
~ Susan L., New York
“A photography cruise with Frank Chillemi is a must for anyone who is seriously interested in being inspired to make photos rather than to just snap away pictures. Composing photographs on the J & E Riggin, under Frank’s tutelage, is a nirvana experience. Two seasons are not enough – I plan to sign up again one day!”
~ Stefanie L., California