in person workshop
August 25-29 2025

il ritiro

Pack your bags.  We're headed to Italy!

Wine. Pasta. Friends. Models. Fashion.
It's all happening THIS August in Italy at Villa Michael in Lucca, Italy.  Dating back to the 15th century, this villa full of exciting shooting locations and full of Italian charm.

A VERY ITALIAN RETREAT

Location, location, location.

Villa Michaela is situated in the heart of tuscany, in the hillside village of Vorno and located 10 minutes away from the ancient city of Lucca.

VILLA MICHAELA
Via di Valle 8 - Frazione di Vorno -
CAP 55060 Capannori - Lucca -
Tuscany - Italy

Distance Pisa Airport:
(IATA: PSA): 26 km / 16 miles / ~35 min drive away.
Distance Florence Airport:
(IATA: FLR): 74 km / 46 miles / ~50 min drive away.

All you've got to do is say SI!

What's Included

4 nights accommodation at Villa Michaela

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.  Limited number of twin rooms available.

$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 Villa and Italy with us!  They'll join us for all meals and the excusion and off-site dinner.  They can relax and enjoy the Villa while you're learning.  Must be the second occupant in a Double Occupancy rate room.

$2500 USD

COUNT ME IN

Triple Occupancy

Ready to triple the fun and make new friends?  We have one triple occupancy room available with ensuite. 

$4000 USD

Mood Boards Coming Soon

01

DAY ONE
Mon Aug 25 2025

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

02

DAY TWO
Tues Aug 26 2025

  • Breakfast
  • Speedy Styled Session Rotation x 3
  • Classroom Learning Session
  • Classroom Learning Session
  • Onsite Lunch
  • Styled Session 
  • Styled Session 
  • Styled Session 
  • Onsite Dinner

03

DAY THREE
Wed Aug 27 2025

  • Breakfast 
  • Round tables Educators
  • Panel Discussion
  • Headshots
  • Shooting Adventure at Secret Location
  • Offsite Dinner
  • Return to Villa following dinner

Your Schedule

04

DAY FOUR
Thurs Aug 28 2025

  • Breakfast
  • Speedy Styled Session Rotation x 3
  • Classroom Learning Session
  • Classroom Learning Session
  • Onsite Lunch
  • Styled Session 
  • Styled Session 
  • Styled Session 
  • Onsite Dinner

05

DAY FIVE
Fri Aug 29 2025

  • Breakfast & Wrap Up
  • Farewell

IL RITIRO           ITALY 2025

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

IL RITIRO            ITALY 2025

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

IL RITIRO            ITALY 2025

Jason Vinson

Jason Vinson is a husband, father, and wedding/documentary photographer, based out of Northwest Arkansas. He has a passion for creatively documenting real moments, as well as taking epic and unique portraits.
In addition to his photography work, Jason spends countless hours educating the photography community. He has been a speaker, instructor, writer, and content creator for establishments such as WPPI, Portrait Masters, Rangefinder, PPA, Fstoppers, SLR Lounge, Peta pixel, and many more

MEET YOUR EDUCATORS

vinsonimages.com

IL RITIRO            ITALY 2025

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

Shout out to our Sponsors

sound good?

Then Let's Do This.

Bookings will be made through our travel partner
Northstar Travel & Associates
201-678 Belmont Ave West
Kitchener, ON N2M 1N6 CANADA
Direct: 519-577-2572
kimevans@northstartravel.ca TICO 2569684 IATA 67862616
***Terms & Conditions***
A Non-refundable deposit of 1,500.00USD is required at time of booking.
Final payment is due June 15, 2025 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 JOIN US ON OUR NEXT RETREAT?

Waitlist Please!

Maybe you're not ready just yet for The Retreat.  Join the waitlist for first dibs on our next Retreat in 2026....Si!