Product Description

Hone your camera skills on this photography retreat by practicing in natural settings under the guidance of a pro! When not behind your camera, stimulate your mind and body through daily yoga sessions. To sustain your creative energy, delight in leisurely meals made of fresh, seasonal ingredients, and end each day sipping a locally-produced wine. Come and enjoy the good vibes!

Unleash your creativity as you learn expert tips from a pro to take your photos to the next level. Feel rejuvenated with daily yoga classes, amazing home-cooked meals, and regional wines. Relax and disconnect from your busy day-to-day life as you soak in the beautiful Alentejo landscape surrounding this eco-retreat. When not practicing with your camera in different settings under professional guidance, you can read by the pool, or take part in optional activities such as horseback riding, cycling, surf lessons, or even getting a massage. The beauty and tranquility of rural Portugal will surely nourish your mind, body, and soul.

What’s included:

• 6 nights stay at an eco-friendly retreat center with full access to the gardens, hiking trails, gym, and pool
• 3 healthy delicious home-cooked meals a day with local and organic products
• Wine tasting throughout the week, featuring different local, natural wines with every dinner
• Morning energizing yoga sessions in an open-air environment surrounded by nature
• 1-2 hours per day of a photography workshop with Cam

Food and wine play an important role in this unique photography and yoga retreat! Every day we will start with a 75-minute yoga class on our beautiful yoga platform (“the Ground”) followed by a delicious and healthy breakfast. You will enjoy three daily meals always prepared with local, fresh, and seasonal ingredients. At every dinner, we will present a different natural wine sourced by small local producers.

The rest of the time, you will be free to explore on your own, rest in a hammock, or lounge in the sun. If you want to practice photography in other scenarios, Cam will join you on some of your excursions to give you direct feedback and orientation.

What will the photography program be like?

The photography workshop will be very practical and hands-on. Subjects will include landscapes, animals, and people. You must bring your own camera (a real one, not your phone).

Topics we will cover:

• Understanding your camera and shooting modes
• Metering modes and balanced exposure
• Composition and storytelling
• Aperture, ISO, and shutter speed
• Lens and focal length
• Portrait vs landscape
• Outdoor natural light

The photography retreat will be adapted to the skills and flow of the group with both group and individual sessions.  You will be given plenty of time to explore your creativity on your own. Previous experience in photography is not necessary and the workshop is accessible to all levels.

Meet the Photographer:

Cam was born and raised in LA but lived most of his life in NYC, where he worked 20 years as a professional photographer and collaborated with some of the biggest names in the photography world. He worked for many international magazines, and worldwide advertising campaigns but his passion is portraits. Indeed he photographed many worldwide celebrities.  His shoots are always fun and full of good vibes!

This photography and yoga retreat has multiple set dates:

• April 30-May 6
• November 5-11
• December 2-8

Group Privatization:

If you want to bring your own group, we recommend avoiding the crowded high season and coming in spring (April to June) or fall (September to November). The beaches are deserted, and the days are mostly sunny and warm (you’ll need a cardigan for the evenings though).

Related Trips:

• [7 Days] Sustainable Yoga & Wine Retreat
• [5 Days] Not So Serious Yoga & Wine Retreat
• [7 Days] Stone Sculpting & Yoga Retreat

What is it Really Like?
Check out our blog post on Sustainable Retreats in Portugal for an even deeper look into what to expect. Or, watch these three 20-second video clips to get a sense of a typical day at this beautiful eco-retreat center.

1. Yoga, brunch, visiting a small coastal town
2. Brunch, coastal hike, market visit, early evening yoga
3. Free time, afternoon yoga, family-owned winery visit

Seasonal Notes:

Spring (March to May) is considered the best time to visit Portugal because of the mild weather and lower crowds. The temperatures allow travelers to explore the country comfortably and flowers are bloomed at this time of the year, which adds to the picturesque beauty of the country. Choosing off-season months also contributes to enhancing the local economy as it guarantees income to the community all year round.  Alentejo’s rural location fosters tourism dispersal, therefore avoiding overcrowding.