Each October, the quiet town of Jeffersonville transforms into a global hub for photojournalism. The Eddie Adams Workshop, founded in 1988 by Pulitzer Prize–winning photographer Eddie Adams, gathers 100 of the world’s most promising photographers for four days of intensive learning, critique, and inspiration.
For 15 years, Bennie Davis, a photojournalist for the U.S. Marshals and retired Air Force photographer, has been part of that tradition. Davis first attended as a student and has since returned year after year as a volunteer.
“It’s the premier photo workshop in the country,” Davis said. “The best of the best are literally at the barn—you’re sitting next to legends you once only read about in history books.”
Eddie Adams’ Legacy
Adams, who bought a farm in Sullivan County in 1976, envisioned a place where professionals could pass their knowledge to the next generation. That dream became the barn workshop that continues nearly four decades later.
“Eddie wanted to create a space where mentors and students could come together to celebrate photography,” Davis explained. “He even set aside slots specifically for military veterans, which is how I first got involved.”
Although Adams passed away in 2004, his influence still resonates. “His myth and legacy live on in that barn,” Davis said. “You hear his stories around the campfire, and you really do feel his presence.”
From Military Photographer to Mentor
Davis’ own journey into photography began almost by chance. Originally aiming to become an occupational therapist, he was reassigned during basic training. At the bottom of the list of new options: still photographer.
“I thought, wait, there are photographers in the military? That’s what I want to do,” Davis recalled. “A few days later my drill instructor said, ‘Davis, you got your orders. You’re a photographer.’ That started my career.”
Trained in the Navy’s Pensacola school, Davis bridged the gap between traditional film and the digital revolution. “I got the best of both worlds—the darkroom foundation and the digital transition,” he said.
Documenting Sullivan County
Each year, workshop participants are divided into teams of 10, each assigned to cover stories across Sullivan County. From family farms to small-town traditions, the workshop has built an unmatched 38-year archive of local life.
“There’s no other place in the U.S. that’s been documented so consistently,” Davis said. “Think about 38 years of the Jeffersonville football team, or the Diehl Family Farm. Students are not just learning—they’re preserving history.”
For Davis, the people stand out most. “I’ll never forget meeting Alice Steele, an amazing woman who welcomed me into her home when I was a student. Families here have opened their doors to photographers for decades. That trust is powerful.”
More Than a Workshop—A Family
Beyond photography, Davis says the workshop creates lifelong bonds. “It’s not just like family—it is family,” he said. “Every year feels like a reunion. Then you welcome 100 new people into that family, and some of them go on to win Pulitzers and World Press awards. We all get to cherish that together.”
Jeff Photo Fest
This year, Jeffersonville adds another celebration of photography: the Jeff Photo Fest, running through October with exhibits in storefronts across Main Street. Adams’ iconic images, along with works from local and national photographers, are on display.
On October 9, New York Times photographer Michelle Agins will give a talk at Lulu Social Club. “She’s a fantastic speaker and a longtime workshop mentor,” Davis said. “I urge everyone to go listen and take a look at the work around town.”
Gratitude to the Community
As Davis reflected, he emphasized the role Sullivan County has played in the workshop’s success.
“We are grateful and thankful for the people here who have let us in to tell their stories,” he said. “From Narrowsburg to Callicoon, Liberty to Jeffersonville, the generosity of this community has shaped generations of photographers.”
The Eddie Adams Workshop runs October 10–14 in Jeffersonville. Applications for next year open in early 2026 at eddieadamsworkshop.org.
Image: Students from the Eddie Adams Workshop from the Eddie Adams Facebook