5 days portrait photography, meditation and Qi Gong retreat in Tuscany

Get to know yourself better by photographing others.

The Portrait Photography Retreat at the Fattoria di Camporomano in Tuscany (Italy) is an immersive experience of self-discovery and personal growth, designed to bring deeper awareness to the way we photograph (and approach other activities in life). It’s a fun, nourishing and creative journey crafted to support participants to cultivate new skills, find inspiration and improve interpersonal abilities.

The teachings focus on refining the photographer’s sensitivity, helping them break free from the habitual way of looking at the world and to easily move through the various steps in image production. It’s an intense and playful retreat that uses photography as a tool to inquire into reality and ourselves.

The retreats are really laid back, an opportunity to set aside competitiveness and enjoy the company of like-minded creative people. There’s nothing to prove, no results to achieve, no one to impress… just a playground brimming with inspiration to cultivate new skills and explore photography as a tool that supports us in an intensely nourishing creative journey. The retreat is intended for photography enthusiasts of all levels who are willing to embark on an immersive experience of self-discovery and personal growth. Our classes are hands-on and experiential. There are exercises on perception, interaction and creativity to be performed individually, in pairs or in a group, with or without the camera.

How do we usually perceive reality around us? Objects, views and people emit a different light when observed with conscious attention: beyond their shapes, materials, colors and textures, they are an expression of life itself. Capturing that depth through our lens is different from pursuing a “nice picture.” It requires knowing how to connect with the subject and how to use one’s own personal photographic technique promptly and flexibly. And how do we feel while shooting? What makes us feel uncomfortable or excited? Several different exercises are designed to improve our presence and capacity to focus and interact. We offer Qi Gong sessions every morning.

We start with a warm up to generate energy and shake off stiffness or tiredness, followed by a simple sequence of movements. These are like the movements you see in T’ai Chi practice: gentle postures that flow slowly, cultivate focus, relaxation and balance, and support us in finding more harmony between mind and body and breath. The sequence is performed standing, wearing our everyday clothes. Throughout the retreat, we will cultivate presence with short guided meditations. Optional Activities:

During the retreat, there will also be moments for relaxation with optional activities to better metabolize what you learn. You can stay at the Fattoria, strolling along the botanical trail or enjoy some sunshine by the pool. Or you can discover and enjoy arts, archaeology and architecture when visiting the surrounding areas: Florence is about an hour away, Cinque Terre about one and a half, while Pisa and Lucca can be reached in 15 to 25 minutes.

Also in the vicinity is Lake Massaciuccoli, a birdwatchers’ paradise where you can rent canoes and bicycles for independent or guided excursions. Only a short drive away is the beautiful forest and nature trails of Migliarino/San Rossore. Sea boat excursions can also be organized. If you want to treat yourself to a massage, that’s possible too. All these activities are not included in the retreat package and can be arranged as extras.