Category: Workshops & Lectures

PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WITH ONNE AND CORY SILKEN ON ARABELLA

Dates:  February 11 – 17, 2026

Join photographers Cory Silken and Onne van der Wal for an extraordinary week of creativity and adventure! We’ll set sail from Marina Cay on board the spectacular 157′ yacht Arabella for an unparalleled journey around the British Virgin Islands, chasing the best light of the day. After capturing breathtaking images and exploring picturesque destinations, each evening offers an opportunity to share images & stories, and bond with fellow adventurers over delicious feasts prepared by our gourmet chef. No experience is necessary, but healthy enthusiasm is a must! Friends & partners are welcome!

Onne will shoot along with you and discuss his process as he photographs.  He will give each student individual attention and answer your camera setting and composition questions. Onne will offer help with your camera gear and will also lend his own Canon bodies and Canon RF lenses for you to try.  If you are in the market for a new camera and/or lens Onne can let you know what the affordable options are.  He will answer all questions and offer his tips and tricks of the trade!

This class is aimed at anyone who wants to learn the basics of digital photography or the advanced amateur that wants to polish up on his/her photo skills and get to the next level with their photography.  This is not an iPhone or point and shoot photo class.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CLICK BELOW.  YOU WILL BE DIRECTED TO THE ARABELLA WEBSITE:

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One on One with Onne Master Workshop 

On the Water: 
Spend one on one time with Onne shooting Newport and Narragansett Bay at a specific event or regatta or just shooting the local beauty.  Onne has a 25′ RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) that is stable, dry and comfortable. A price of $1,750 includes a three-hour session with Onne on the water and one hour of computer time learning workflow.  Onne can trailer a boat to a location of your choice (price dependant upon location).

From the Air:
Shoot from a helicopter for an hour with just you, Onne and the pilot. Afterwards, come back to Onne’s office and learn how to import, convert and manage your images. A price of $2,500 (for one or two people) includes one hour in the helicopter shooting with Onne and one hour of computer time learning workflow. You will have the chance to use Onne’s lenses if you shoot with Canon bodies. Date and availability subject to Onne’s schedule and weather. To reserve your space or inquire, contact us at onne@vanderwal.com or 401-846-9552.

DATES/TIMES:

Tuesday, June 10th – Jamestown Yacht Club Racing – 4:30pm SOLD OUT

STAY TUNED FOR MORE SUMMER WORKSHOPS TO COME!

COST:  $795 per workshop – only 5 students per workshop

INCLUDES:  A day on the water with Onne on his own boat, the 32-foot Grand Banks, Snow Goose!  A captain will be driving the boat while Onne gives personalized and individual instruction to only three or four amateur photographers.  Onne discusses composition and technical camera settings as he shoots and wanders the boat offering help with your own gear.  He will answer all questions and offer his tips and tricks of the trade!  Meet at Conanicut Yacht Club in Jamestown to board the boat.  We will provide a lunch or snacks on board along with water, beer and wine.  Depending on the timing, we may anchor and have a chat about the day’s activities and what was learned while shooting.

WHAT TO BRING:  Bring it all! Bring every lens you can fit into your bag and many people also rent a lens that they might not have in their arsenal. We will be close and far from amazing things to shoot. No hard (Pelican type) cases, no tripods, and no flashes needed for the most part. Bring a rag to wipe salt spray off your lenses – it happens – even though the boat is a fairly dry ride! Bring your polarizer if you like and definitely bring a spare CF Card (or three) – you will need them!  Must wear boat friendly shoes and bring jackets and sunscreen.

ABILITY/ WHO CAN COME:  Anyone with a DSLR or mirrorless camera and a basic understanding of how to use it is welcome. NO point and shoots.  If you have a disability or mobility issue, you will be comfortable on the lower deck and will have plenty of good shooting from there.

PAYMENT and REFUND POLICY:   Payment in full is due at time of registration.  You can choose to apply a gift certificate you might have or purchase one for someone for the whole or partial amount. IF you need to cancel – we will refund your deposit if it is at least 30 days prior to the event. If you cancel inside of 30 days we will issue you a CREDIT to use towards another workshop.

WEATHER and CANCELLATION: Each event has a weather day built in on either side of our scheduled trip. We try to use the day AFTER the event but in some cases might choose to go a day prior. We will give as much notice as possible and will be in contact with everyone as the dates approach. Weather days are used when it will be uncomfortable for students to be on the water. High winds, rain and storms will delay our workshop. Clouds and light rain will NOT.  Please plan your schedule accordingly.

Tell us which workshop you are registering for in the “order notes” on our website.

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