New York City July 4th Fireworks and Full Moon Photography Workshop

Photograph July 4th fireworks, the full moon, and New York’s iconic skyline

July 3 – 7, 2028

  • Photograph Macy’s fireworks above the New York City skyline
  • Frame the full moon with the Statue of Liberty and city landmarks
  • Learn moon planning, night photography, and post-processing

New York is at its most electric on the Fourth of July, when fireworks fill the night sky above one of the world’s most recognizable skylines. During this five-day photography workshop, you’ll photograph the celebration alongside a series of carefully planned full-moon, sunrise, sunset, and blue-hour sessions.

The July full moon creates several opportunities to align the moon with New York landmarks, including the World Trade Center and Statue of Liberty. From waterfront locations in Brooklyn and New Jersey, you’ll work with perspectives ranging from wide cityscapes to tightly framed telephoto compositions.

Your pro will help you prepare for each session using PhotoPills, including how to predict the moon’s position and plan a composition. In the field, you’ll receive hands-on instruction in fireworks, long-exposure, skyline, and night photography. Image reviews throughout the workshop will help you assess your results and apply what you learn during the next session.

This is an active urban workshop with early mornings, late evenings, and long walks while carrying camera equipment. The schedule is built around the best available light and celestial conditions, with time between sessions to rest, share meals, and review images.

Your Pro

Itinerary

This itinerary is subject to change due to weather, local conditions, and other factors.

July 3, 2028: Welcome and Manhattan Skyline at Sunset

Meet your pro and fellow photographers in the hotel lobby at 2:00 PM for introductions and an overview of the workshop. We’ll then travel to Brooklyn for our first field session, photographing the Manhattan skyline through sunset, blue hour, and night.

Afterward, we’ll finish the evening with dinner at a well-known Brooklyn pizzeria near the Brooklyn Bridge.


July 4, 2028: Brooklyn Sunrise and Fourth of July Fireworks

We’ll begin before dawn with sunrise views of the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges. Your pro will help you work with changing light, moving water, and the architectural lines of the city.

After breakfast, we’ll review images and prepare for the evening. Later, we’ll travel to our planned viewing location and get into position well before the Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks begin. You’ll receive guidance on exposure, timing, composition, and combining multiple bursts into a balanced cityscape.


July 5, 2028: Moonset, Moonrise, and Midtown After Dark

Before sunrise, we’ll photograph the nearly full moon setting near the World Trade Center. Long lenses will help create a compressed perspective, making the moon appear prominent against the skyline.

Following breakfast, we’ll take a midday break and gather for an image review. Your pro will also demonstrate how to use PhotoPills to anticipate the moon’s position and plan future photographs.

In the evening, we’ll photograph the nearly full moon rising near a New York City landmark. We’ll continue through sunset and blue hour, finishing with nighttime views of Midtown Manhattan from the New Jersey waterfront.


July 6, 2028: Full Moon and the Statue of Liberty

We’ll head out early to photograph the full moon setting near the Statue of Liberty. Your pro will help you refine focus, exposure, and telephoto composition as the moon descends and the morning light begins to build.

After breakfast, we’ll have time to rest before another image review. In the evening, we’ll return to the field for our final moonrise session, photographing the full moon in alignment with the New York City skyline.


July 7, 2028: Jersey City Sunrise and Departure

Our final session begins at sunrise from a waterfront location near Newport in Jersey City. We’ll photograph the changing light across the Hudson and make our last images of the Manhattan skyline.

Afterward, we’ll share breakfast and conclude the workshop.


Testimonials

Michel G.
New York City Skylines: Manhattanhenge '26
5 stars all around! We saw some amazing sites, especially the moon shots over NYC. Jennifer is a caring guide, she really worked hard to help us get great photos.
Cris C.
New York City Skylines: Manhattanhenge '26
Jennifer is an accomplished pro. Her advice was extremely useful, from camera setup for night photography to post-processing, and I received very useful recommendations to improve my photography skills.
Debra M.
New York City Skylines: Supermoon '25
Jennifer did a good job getting us to all the right location in time to capture sunrise, sunset, and moonrise with plenty of time to compose the shot and test our settings.
Jim T.
New York City Skylines: Manhattanhenge '25
Jennifer’s knowledge of the area and the night sky was extremely helpful. I could have never caught all the shots we did on my own. She went above and beyond to make sure we were all having a great experience.
Marvin M.
New York City Skylines: Manhattanhenge '25
What I got was way beyond what I expected. The workshop price seemed high at first, but after all that transpired it was worth double the price.
Gallery

Behind the Scenes

Fitness

Moderate: Be prepared for an active urban workshop with early mornings and late evenings. Expect long walks while carrying camera gear, as you’ll be photographing from various waterfront locations. The schedule allows for rest between sessions, but the focus remains on capturing the best light and celestial events.

Flights

Arrive at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Newark before 11:00 AM on July 3, 2028. Flights out can be made after 3:00 PM on July 7, 2028. Air travel delays are common. Please arrive early, possibly even the day prior, so you don’t miss any of the workshop.

What to Bring

Please see our page How To Prepare For Your Workshop. We will send you a detailed information document 90 days before your workshop. This document will include specifics of where and when to meet, gear and clothing recommendations, and more.

What’s Included

  • Double occupancy lodging. Single available for a $1,100 supplement.
  • All meals, soft drinks, and snacks during the workshop.
  • All permits and park fees.
  • All transportation during the workshop.
  • Tips for crew, drivers, and local guides.
  • Photographic guiding and instruction from Jennifer Khordi.
  • Image reviews and post-processing instruction.
  • Adventure, fun, inspiration, and a great time!

Not Included

  • Travel to and from Newark, New Jersey.
  • Unscheduled airport transfers.
  • Passport and visa fees (if applicable).
  • Any meals or accommodations before or after the workshop dates.
  • Items of a personal nature.
  • Alcoholic beverages.
  • Travel Medical and Trip Cancellation Insurance (optional, but recommended).
  • Anything else specifically not listed as included.
  • Single rooming is available for a $1,100 supplement.

Payment Terms

Frequently Asked Questions

You'll practice long-exposure photography, working with fireworks, and capturing skyline and night scenes. You'll also learn to use PhotoPills for planning compositions with the moon and city landmarks.

Yes, this workshop is refundable. Cancellations made more than 150 days before the start date receive a full refund. Between 150–91 days, you'll get a refund of payments exceeding 50% of tuition, and between 90–61 days, a refund of payments exceeding 75% of tuition. No refunds are available within 60 days unless your spot is filled, in which case you receive a 100% refund. All refunds are subject to a 5% administrative processing fee.

Bring a range of lenses, including wide-angle lenses from 14-200mm for cityscapes and telephoto lenses for capturing the full moon against landmarks. A sturdy tripod and remote shutter release are essential for long exposures and night photography.

This workshop requires a moderate fitness level. Be prepared for early mornings, late evenings, and long walks while carrying your camera gear. The schedule includes rest periods between sessions to ensure you can capture the best light and celestial events.

The workshop is limited to a maximum of 5 participants, ensuring personalized attention and guidance from the professional photographer.

Plan to arrive at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) before 11:00 AM on July 3, 2028, and book your return flight after 3:00 PM on July 7, 2028. Consider arriving a day early to avoid missing any part of the workshop due to travel delays.

Yes, image reviews are an integral part of the workshop. You'll have multiple opportunities to review your photos with the pro, receive feedback, and apply what you learn to subsequent sessions.

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