in person workshop
oct 14 - 18, 2024

La Retraite

Tired of shooting in a giant group, snapping what's already been set up, looking at an inexperienced model in an old battered wedding gown?  Tired of getting the same images as everyone else and nothing useable for your portfolio?

Us too.

a very french retreat

It's time you set clear intentions and push your portfolio and business to the next level. 

With our help.

The Retreat is a curated photography experience created to give you the tools to take your brand to new heights.  Along with our guest educators we're providing attendees with opportunities to build their portfolio with hands on, one-on-one guidance to perfect their craft.
We'll help you build a cohesive and next level portfolio that helps to showcase your skills to book more of your ideal clients.

GET YOUR CREATIVE JUICES FLOWING.

Shout out to our Sponsors

Wouldn't it be nice...

QUALITY OVER QUANTITY

Imagine a mindset shift where you are not blasting away at whatever is in front of you but you're perfecting images while you're shooting.  Slowing down and crafting your images with creative posing and lighting. Creating quality images that are portfolio ready not a quantity of average.

LUXURY FOR YOU

Imagine not just creating luxe images but experiencing luxury yourself at one of the top wedding venues in the world.

BUSINESS BOOST

Imagine learning and implementing your best business practices with the help of a team of photographers who are practicing what they preach.

A COMMUNITY OF COLLABORATION

Imagine the spirit of collaboration and creativity only a fully immersive retreat experience can provide.  Here for your success, feedback and late night wine. 

Great News. That's where we come in.

We are committed to:
  • the workshop and retreat experience that we've always dreamed of but couldn't find
  • shoot in small groups so everyone can see their vision come to life.  
  • staying and playing together so there's access to each other and the educators.  
  • constructive feedback to help each other improve
  • building stronger brands with bigger vision
  • experiencing the local culture and exploring 
  • recharge and renew our passion for our craft 
  • having fun and creating in a spectacular location.

All you've got to do is say YES!

october 14 - 18 2024

La Retraite in Burgundy, France

Join us at a stunning chateau in Burgundy, France, recently named one of the top 10 wedding locations in the world by CNN.  We have reserved the ENTIRE Chateau to ensure uninterrupted relaxation, connection and unlimited locations to push your creativity to it’s limits.
We are happy to welcome a MAXIMUM of 20 attendees to ensure one on one coaching with our team of educators in multiple luxury styled areas with professional models as well as deep diving into your businesses and portfolios to develop a strategy to maximize your experience and takeaways. All attendees and educators will be staying onsite, to create meaningful connections and open dialog, continue conversations and brainstorming.

Oui I'm coming

LA RETRAITE  FRANCE 2024

Gary Evans

Recently ranked #8 worldwide for wedding photography, Gary Evans is a passionate educator pushing himself to create award winning images for his clients. Originally from Cardiff, Wales, Gary currently lives and works in Ontario, Canada.  Gary's passion for a rich client experience easily translates to his students where his "no gatekeeping" approach sees others exceed their own expectations and reach new heights.  His goal is pass along the knowledge and passion that has given him the life he loves.

MEET YOUR EDUCATORS

www.gary-evans.ca

LA RETRAITE  FRANCE 2024

Kim Evans

An award winning designer, Kim has worked in television as art director and designer for multiple wedding shows. After building a successful floral design and decor business, Kim now focuses on creating out of the box experiences with Pop Up Weddings and I Do Box a wedding subscription box. Kim thrives teaching others how to create Pop Up Weddings and how to break boundaries in their own industries.  Through vision, organization and analyzing all aspects of your business, Kim loves to see her students increase their profitability, time, creativity and lead a life they love.

MEET YOUR EDUCATORS

www.garyandkimevans.com

LA RETRAITE  FRANCE 2024

Rabih Madi

Rabih is an award-winning wedding photographer based in Canada, renowned for a distinctive style that blends photojournalistic storytelling with a bold, contrasty aesthetic. With a passion for capturing candid moments and genuine emotions, Rabih creates stunning visual narratives that celebrate the unique love stories of each couple.
Having photographed weddings across diverse countries and cultures, Rabih has a deep appreciation for the significance of tradition. He believes in keeping these rich customs alive by artfully capturing the unique stories of each couple.

MEET YOUR EDUCATORS

www.madiphotography.com

LA RETRAITE  FRANCE 2024

Sara France

Sara France is a sought-after artist in the world of luxury wedding photography. Based in Southern California, and with more than 20 years of experience, Sara has employed her entrepreneurial acumen to grow a business far beyond her personal career. She is the founder of The Copper Collective, a boutique all-female team of talented photographers, and Shay Studios, which creates a wide range of visual content for brands, with an ethos rooted in helping women succeed. Sara is a Sony Artisan of Imagery and a founding mentor for the Sony Alpha Female program. Her images were selected by Apple to be shown online and in stores around the world. She’s also an accomplished speaker whose engagements allow her to share her passion for beautifully capturing a couple’s most significant experience as well as her business expertise.

MEET YOUR EDUCATORS

www.sarafrance.com

LA RETRAITE  FRANCE 2024

Mandy Wright

Mandy Wright is an accomplished travel wedding photographer and educator based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. With a passion for capturing emotion and a sense of place she has become known for her ability to create stunning images that tell a story.  Her love for education inspired her to co-found Wild Heart Workshops, where they have helped countless photographers break into the wedding industry by offering content creating sessions and second shooting bootcamps. She shares her expertise and love for photography with aspiring photographers, helping them hone their skills and unleash their creative potential. 

MEET YOUR EDUCATORS

www.mandywrightphotography.com

01

DAY ONE
Monday Oct 14 2024

  • Afternoon Registration 
  • Property walk through + orientation 
  • Welcome Meet & Greet cocktail reception

02

DAY TWO
Tuesday Oct 15 2024

  • Continental Breakfast & Daily Intentions
  • Classroom Learning Session
  • Classroom Learning Session
  • Style Session #1
  • Onsite Lunch
  • Styled Session #2
  • Styled Session #3
  • Onsite Dinner

03

DAY THREE
Wednesday Oct 16 2024

  • Continental Breakfast & Daily Intentions
  • Round tables with all educators
  • Headshots
  • Shooting Adventure at Secret Location
  • Offsite Dinner
  • Return to Chateau following dinner

Your Schedule

04

DAY FOUR
Thursday Oct 17 2024

  •  Continental Breakfast & Daily Intentions
  • Classroom Learning Session
  • Classroom Learning Session
  • Styled Session #1
  • Onsite Lunch
  • Styled Session #2
  • Styled Session #3
  • Onsite Dinner

05

DAY FIVE
Friday Oct 18 2024

  • Continental Breakfast & Wrap Up
  • Farewell

What's Included

4 nights accommodation within the Chateau de Varennes

All meals & beverages for the duration of your stay

Group excursion with offsite dinner

Multiple luxury editorial styled shoots with models

Classroom learning and portfolio reviews

Behind the scenes photo and video

Coaching and Shooting with all of our educators

Travel Booking Assistance by our TICO Certified Travel Professional

Access to a Private Facebook Group for Attendees to Best Prepare for the Retreat

Detailed Questionnaire so we can Best Customize for our Attendees

Pricing Options

Double Occupancy

Share a room with your bestie or ask us to find a compatible business BFF.  Each room has plenty of storage and an ensuite.

$4500 USD

Single Occupancy

Want to spread out and have a beautiful room all to yourself?  Each room has plenty of storage and an ensuite.

$5500 USD

You're Not Going Without Me

Bringing a non-photographer spouse or bestie?  We would love to have them enjoy the Chateau and France with us!  They'll join us for all meals and the excusion and off-site dinner.  They can relax and enjoy the Chateau while you're learning.  Must be the second occupant in a Double Occupancy rate room.

$2500 USD

Oui I'm coming

sound good?

Then Let's Do This.



Bookings will be made through our travel partner Wassermann Retreats
Affiliate of Direct Travel, 93 Main St S, Georgetown, ON L7G 3E5
TEL 905.873.2000 ext. 1232
cwassermann@dt.com TICO 50023504
***Terms & Conditions***
A Non-refundable deposit of 1,500.00USD is required at time of booking.
Final payment is due August 14, 2024 and is 100% non-refundable from final payment date to departure date.
Airfare not included.
Transportation from airport to and from the venue not included.

inquire with us

Want to Earn Your Way to our Next Retreat?

GET $500 TOWARDS A FUTURE RETREAT FOR EVERY REFERRAL THAT BOOKS

That's RIGHT!  We want The Retreat to be accessible for awesome wedding photographers at every stage of their business.  And sometimes you need a leg up to level up.
For every referral that books for our France 2024 Retreat, we'll give you a $500 credit towards a future Retreat. And yes, you can stack your rewards.  Help us get the word out and your could EARN your way to our next Retreat!

REFERRAL BONUS HAS NO CASH VALUE.  CREDIT MUST BE APPLIED TO A 2025 RETREAT DATE

WANT TO JOIN US ON OUR NEXT RETREAT?

2025 is MY year

Maybe you're not ready just yet for The Retreat.  Join the waitlist for first dibs on our next Retreat in 2025....Ciao!