A luxurious retreat for photographers

Experience a retreat designed to refresh your creativity, access
hands on education, and come away with the next level in your portfolio.

Château Saint-Martin
French Riviera
April 17 - 20, 2023

Photo by Romain Reglade

Presented by

x

Dana Watts
Owner & Designer at Thyme & Details

With 12 years of event planning experience and a Bachelor's Degree in Sustainable Business, Dana is a pioneer in sustainable, luxury event design.

MEET DANA

Photo by Dragonfly Photography

Oona Breyer
Owner of The Dragonfly Photography

Introduce the hosts by highlighting their career background or professional history.

MEET OONA

Photo by Dragonfly Photography

What is this retreat?

Let's be real... it's be an intense few years in our industry. We all need an opportunity to reset. This retreat is designed for a photographer that wants to grow your portfolio in a meaningful way through education with hands on application. To help you find the rest and renewed creativity you need.

Have you noticed it can be hard to stand apart in a world full of same? There is a lot of talk about how important that ‘ideal portfolio’ is, but if it looks like everyone else’s, what good is that really doing you? We’ll talk about how you can set yourself a part from the sameness out there, create an intentional business, and connect with those ideal clients that want something unique to their story that only you can bring.

You’ll learn how to create editorial and emotion filled images that publications are snapping up with practical posing education, so that you’re excited when you are picking up the camera, not feeling trapped with the same poses over and over.

Perhaps most importantly, you’ll experience the kind for rest and refreshing that a luxury experience can bring. An intimate setting where both networking and space for growth and hospitality is prioritized.

Sound like something you’d like to be a part of? We’d love to have you.

What you can expect:

Experience

– Unwind upon arrival to Nice with a complimentary transfer from the Nice airport to the Château.

- Feel welcomed upon your arrival with champagne, goodies, and mingling.

– Be pampered by a 4-day / 3-night stay in the French Riviera at the iconic Château Saint-Martin.

– Dine in a serene setting for your entire stay – whether you are overlooking the French Riviera or nestled in the olive grove. Savor the flavors of the Provençal dishes from Michelin-starred Chef Jean-Luc Lefrançois while learning and growing as a photographer.

– Reset from jet lag and travel with a restorative yoga session in the gardens during the first morning of the retreat.

– Press pause on the hustle and bustle of life as a photographer as you are invited into the Château's underground stone cellar for wine tasting and curated bites.

– Sit back and be surprised along the way...

– Leave the retreat refreshed and renewed, and without having to worry about finding transport back to the airport. We've got that covered for you, too.

This experience is about more than creating portfolio images. Imagine starting your morning off sipping coffee while journaling about your business goals, overlooking the French Riviera, reflecting on all that is to come today and the days

ahead.

Editorials

We’ve capped the size of this retreat, so that this will not be a high-pace, stressful retreat where 15+ photographers are pushing others to get their perfect shot! This is a curated event to learn and grow with like-minded professionals, all while creating the luxury international and destination portfolio you’ve been hoping for.

Planned editorial sessions:

– Full wedding from start to finish, this includes portions that are not usually included but much needed for a complete look – such as getting ready, portraits around grounds, mock ceremony, intimate reception, and celebratory cake cutting.

– Off property high fashion engagement session

– Couple's session at local vineyard

– Flat lay details

– Tablescape details

Keep scrolling for editorial mood boards

Education

The reality is we all have access to more online/lecture-based information than we know what to do with. Here you’ll find education with an application-based emphasis. We want you to learn, apply, and practice all in one setting. Which is why we’ve created unique educational settings that give you the opportunity to put into practice what you’re learning almost immediately.

–We’ll review about what it actually takes to be successfully published in nationally and internationally recognized publications. Plus, give you a road map to get there for your own work.

–You’ll learn how to create editorial and emotion filled images that publications are snapping up with practical posing education, so that you’re excited when you are picking up the camera, not feeling trapped with the same poses over and over.

– We’ll explore how you can set yourself apart from the sameness out there, and connect with those ideal clients that want you to tell their unique story. Have you noticed it can be hard to stand a part in a world full of same? There is a lot of talk about that ‘ideal portfolio’ but if it looks like everyone else’s what good is that really doing you?

– You'll redefine your business goals and set the new vision for your future.

Mood boards

RETREAT SCHEDULE

Day 1

Arrival

Welcome cocktails, ice breaker, & networking in the underground stone wine cellar

Dinner with sunset views of the Mediterranean at Le Saint-Martin Terrace

Free time – unwind, enjoy the pool, or get to bed early... your pick!

Day 2

Reset from jet lag and renew your body with morning yoga in the gardens

Breakfast with views of the Mediterranean at Le Saint-Martin Terrace

Publishing education with Oona in the Salon Cap d’Antibes

Editorial sessions: tablescape & flat lay details

Photographers will be split up to ensure adequate time with each set up

Lunch at L’Oliveraie amongst the olive groves

Transport into the historic town of Vence for interactive posing education & coaching

Think high fashion styling, walking historic streets, stop by a cafe, etc.

Dinner at L’Oliveraie amongst the olive groves

Free time

Day 3

Breakfast & reflection with views of the Mediterranean at Le Saint-Martin Terrace

Engaging Your Ideal Client education session with Dana in the Salon Œnothèque

Full styled shoot – part I

Lunch at L’Oliveraie amongst the olive groves

Full styled shoot – part II

Transport to local vineyard for picnic session

Off site dinner with wine pairing at vineyard

Return to Château for free time

Day 4

Breakfast & reflection at L’Oliveraie amongst the olive groves

Goal setting, cheerleading, application, and growth conversations

Departure

FAQ

Is this experience right for me?

This experience is perfect for you if... you are photographer that wants to take both your work and business to the next level, grow your portfolio in a meaningful way through education with hands on application, and find rest and renewed creativity through a curated retreat.

What is not included?

Transportation from your home city to Nice, France is not included in the retreat fee. The Nice Airport (NCE) is located only 25 minutes from the Château. We want this experience to be as simple as possible for each of our guests. We will arrange transportation from NCE to the hotel for our guests who arrive from 2 PM - 6 PM on April 17, 2023. For those will not be able to meet at NCE during this window, Uber and taxi is readily available for you.

We are working with an excellent travel agent partner for this retreat, Trips to Cherish. If you need any travel arrangement assistance, please don't hesitate to let us know at info@thymeanddetails.com. We will be happy to connect you with the travel guide!