Behind the Beautiful Image Retreat {DETAILS + REGISTRATION}

And here they are...

After a FANTASTIC retreat a few weeks ago, (you can check out the blog post HERE!) it quickly became apparent that we'd HAVE to go back to that place... And we will, only this time, we're going to be there at the peak of the autumn colors. Could there be anything more spectacular than that?!

I'm gearing this retreat towards the beginner/amateur crowd this time! The retreat style setup allows us to really dive right into the medium and make progress in leaps and bounds. We'll be photographing everything from our food, to the beautiful Lake Anna scape, to still life, the sunrise and sunset, and even a portraiture shoot or two. We'll gain hands on experience in all kinds of lighting and have group discussions and critiques to get the most we possibly can out of our time together!

So if your SLR has started to collect some dust, or you're too scared to get out of auto mode, then come join us for a weekend and learn the ins and outs of creating beautiful imagery!

The Details...

Where: Libby's Landing
             168 Harry M Lumsden Court
             Mineral, VA 23117

When: October 24-26, 2014

Cost: $550
          -$250 non refundable deposit will be required at the time of registration
          -the remaining $300 will be due September 15th via personal check. 
(note: late payment may result in your spot being given to someone else, so please be timely or communicate your situation. Also, the remaining balance may be paid via paypal for a 2.9% processing fee.)

What's Included:     Retreat Experience

                               Two nights lodging at Lake Anna 

                                All meals
 

(note: please let me know if there are any food allergies I need to be aware of. I will make every effort to accommodate when possible, but cannot promise alternatives at every meal.) 

 

A Few More Things: We’ll be crossing our fingers for beautiful weather, but as with any wedding day, there’s always a chance of rain. The retreat will take place rain or shine, even if it means we need to get creative with the shoots themselves. There’s some real life experience for ya!  

 

All participants will be given rights to the images they produce at the retreat for website, social networking, and portfolio use. Please credit the Behind the Beautiful Image Retreat  when posting images to blogs or other social media sites. 

 

Questions??: Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions, comments, or regarding any special circumstances you’d like to discuss. I’m happy to provide more details to anyone interested! 

 

Please be aware that space is limited and registration will close as soon as the retreat has reached capacity... so think fast. :)

0. Decided you want in?! Then click the link below to register!
   

REGISTER HERE!

Behind the Artful Image {DETAILS + REGISTRATION}

Let’s be honest...getting started in the wedding industry is no easy feat. There is massive amounts of pressure associated with capturing those once-in-a-lifetime-moments that take place on the wedding day and it’s hard to know where to start with it all.

If someone had offered me the opportunity ten years ago, when I was a budding photographer, to spend the weekend photographing multiple subjects, and ultimately a styled wedding, I may very well have sawed off my right arm for the opportunity. To be able to photograph a beautiful couple at a stellar venue, in the perfect light, without an ounce of pressure, is literally invaluable.

The Behind the Artful Image Retreat will take place at the beautiful Nomini Hall Plantation, established in 1729, located on Virginia’s scenic Northern Neck. The retreat will span two full days and two half days, where we’ll have group discussions, critiques, and of course, hands on experience. 

Engagement and bridal shoots will take place on the Nomini Plantation grounds, while the styled wedding shoot will take place about 20 minutes away at yet another historic venue, the Mt. Airy Plantation. 
From the getting ready shots to the formal exit and everything in between, there will be opportunities to photograph a beautifully unique display.


All accommodations will be included. 


The Details...
 
Where:  Nomini Hall Plantation
        189 Fithians Lane
        Hague, VA 22469

When: October 17th-20th
(note: Workshop will begin Friday evening and end late Monday morning to accommodate work schedules as much as possible.)

Cost: $850
           -a non refundable $250 deposit is due via paypal at registration to ensure a spot
           -the remaining $600 is due by September 15th via personal check. 
    
    Checks can be sent to:
    Brinn Willis
    886 Glasgow Hwy   
    Buena Vista, VA 24416   
(note: late payments pay result in your spot being given to someone else, so please be prompt!
Remaining balance may be paid via paypal for a 2.9% processing fee.)

What’s included: Retreat Experience
                           Three nights lodging at Nomini Hall
                           All meals
(note: please let me know if there are any food allergies I need to be aware of. I will make every effort to accommodate when possible, but cannot promise alternatives at every meal.)
 
A few more things: We’ll be crossing our fingers for beautiful weather, but as with any wedding day, there’s always a chance of rain. The retreat will take place rain or shine, even if it means we need to get creative with the shoots themselves. There’s some real life experience for ya!

All participants will be given rights to the images they produce at the retreat for website, social networking, and portfolio use. Please credit the Behind the Artful Image Retreat and any other vendors when posting images to blogs or other social media sites.

Questions??: Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions, comments, or regarding any special circumstances you’d like to discuss. I’m happy to provide more details to anyone interested!

Please be aware that space is limited and registration will close as soon as the retreat has reached capacity... so think fast. :)


Decided you want in?! Then click the link below to register!


REGISTER HERE!

 

Maria + Paul {LEXINGTON, VA}

Hannah + Andrew Just Got Hitched! {KENSINGTON, MD}

Jake + Karianne {Kensington, MD}

Behind the Artful Image Retreat {LAKE ANNA, VA}

Whew- what a weekend! I had the opportunity to host a Behind the Artful Image retreat at a fantastic lake house on the beautiful Lake Anna. The weather was perfect, the scenery was epic, and the conversation, inspirational.

We all lead busy lives... and the chance to put all that on hold and just delve into a creative medium for a couple days is a rare opportunity. And though I've hosted several workshops in the past, I realized this weekend that using a retreat model, where we can eat, sleep, and breathe photography for 48 hours straight, is the MOST EFFECTIVE way to introduce or better acquaint someone with the medium of photography.

The premise of the retreat tackled the age old debate, "Is photography art?". According to art's definition, it's the "expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual... producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power." It's that emotional power that we focused on, and came to the conclusion that  when such an element is present in a photograph, something changes. And it suddenly goes from a snapshot of strangers, to an emotive display of the human experience- something we all relate to.

And how is that "emotive power" achieved? Through nothing other than inspiration. We're all inspired by something, whether it's the delicate nature of light, the brilliant detail of stunning architecture, the subtle interactions between people, or an epic landscape. When a photographer is inspired by the scene that lies beyond their lens, I truly believe the way they manipulate light, depth of field, and composition is more methodically determined. Though these moments of inspiration don't always take place, it is quite apparent in the final image when they do.

So now the only thing left to consider is... what inspires you?

 
For anyone interested in more information on the next Behind the Artful Image retreat (which is tentatively slated for fall 2014, shoot me off an e-mail at bmw.photography@yahoo.com or just head on over to my contact page!