When taking photographs do you ...

• Worry that you can’t take a good photo?

• Compare your photographs unfavourably with others?

• Think you need a great camera & lots of expensive accessories?
• Wonder what to do with your images to improve them?
• Need time to focus solely on photography?
• Wish you could spend time sharing ideas & learning new skills?
• Want to know how to tell your story through pictures?

If you answer yes to these questions, then read on ….

Who is our photography retreat for?

Our retreat is for you, if you would like to know how to find interesting subjects to capture and how to discover your own unique view of the world. You want to improve the quality of your pictures and how to best work with the images you have taken.

You will also want to improve technical skills and knowledge to take better pictures. You will be keen to understand more about your cameras capabilities and how to use the functions to improve your photography.

You dont need to be skilled or knowledgeable about photography, Paul will gently guide you through all the steps from choosing, framing, taking, processing and presenting your photographs on this relaxing and friendly photography retreat.

Why is our Photography Retreat special?

The small group retreat is designed around our participants wanting to improve their photography in a relaxed and open atmosphere. We are here to help with planning your travel and we keep in contact and Paul will speak to you in the weeks before the retreat, to check your starting point and goals. We weave your individual aims this into the overall programme to make sure you are getting just what you need.

You will work on a project of your choosing over the retreat and Paul will offer post retreat feedback with your ongoing work. We are in a stunning location at Rural Retreat, both on site and in our town Confolens, ready to inspire your ideas.

We enjoy wonderful nature and wildlife, our beautiful medieval town with the market and the Vienne river, we have incredible night skies and stunning sunsets. Your next fabulous photograph is waiting here for you.

What we will do on the Photography Retreat

The small group retreat is designed around participants wanting to improve their photography in a relaxed atmosphere. We treat photography as a language, composing an image can be approached in the same way as writing, sometimes you have an idea in your mind and sometimes you’re just inspired by something around you.

Our retreats are not heavy, technical teaching sessions, although we will improve your skills and knowledge, but more a guided pathway to show you the possibilities. We will offer plenty of opportunities for inspiration and space to discuss your ideas and share your thoughts.

Paul will cover the basics of image making, composition, observing and location. He will share how to develop a photo project and how to present it. Will will also touch on basics in editing software and share our photo book library .

Great value inclusive deal

Our retreats are delivered over 5 days, with a combination of group coaching sessions, individual coaching and practice time. Don’t worry there will also be plenty of opportunities to relax, unwind and enjoy Rural Retreat France. We take care of everything so you can immerse yourself in your passion and focus on your learning.

Our 5 night retreats are just €550, which includes breakfast, lunch and dinner, accommodation and tuition (travel not included). Accommodation in our purpose built, stylish Dortoir includes all bedding, towels, dressing gowns and toiletries.

For any enquiries or to book your place, please email sue@ruralretreatfrance.com

Paul Gibbs

Your Photography Retreat Guide

Age 17, Paul was studying physics and maths at A level, when his school organised an experience week at an arts college. He was hooked and has had a passion for photography since.

He decided engineering was not for him and consequently enrolled onto a degree course in photography, best move he ever made. The course studied photography as a visual language, which opened the door to composition of images for any subject and gained him a BA Hons in Photographic Art.

Paul was originally self taught in traditional wet photography and has been practicing digital photography since 1995.

Paul has been teaching photography for 40 years in art centres, evening classes and schools.

Professional work

• Times educational supplement
• Chase Bank
• Johnson and Johnson
• Greater London Council
• Southwark Council
• British Pharma
• Housing associations
• Portraiture.