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.
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.
- 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
Esteban Gil
Esteban Gil is a Connecticut based wedding photographer and educator. Esteban places importance in capturing emotion first and art second, but consistently succeeds in turning most every moment into artistry. His work is easily recognized by his well thought out framing, out-of-the-box creativity, and even more so his imaginative use of light – be it natural or flash. He chooses to put just as much value into the people he creates for and the people he creates with as he does his own profession – and for that he has become not just a leader in the industry, but a mentor, and – to many – a friend
MEET YOUR EDUCATORS
www.egilphoto.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
- Styled Session #1
- Style Session #2
- Onsite Lunch
- Styled Session #3
- Styled Session #4
- Onsite Dinner
03
DAY THREE
Wednesday Oct 16 2024
- Continental Breakfast & Daily Intentions
- Classroom Learning with Esteban Gil
- Classroom Learning with Gary Evans
- 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
- Styled Session #1
- Styled Session #2
- Onsite Lunch
- Styled Session #3
- Styled Session #4
- 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!
