Creative retreat for female photographers in Spain

Find your creativity again
For six days, we explore the creative potential of photography. Nature has the most creative ideas. Just like you - because you are nature.

Gain lightness and confidence
Invite more lightness into your photography. Play with your camera, scissors and paper, water, earth, fire and the wind. You are the artist, the camera is your tool and toy, don't take it too seriously. We experiment with analog and digital photography, cyanotype, collage and more.

Realize a personal project
In the creative retreat you will experiment and play without pressure. You will work on a project and get to know methods for sorting and presenting your ideas. Together we will develop a form of presentation for your results, for example an exhibition, a book or a video. Your inner artist will be allowed to show themselves.

Your inner artist wants to be heard, she needs your attention and time. Don't ignore it for too long, it belongs to you.

In a lovingly restored Catalan country house, surrounded by the serene tranquillity of the forest, not far from the sea, we let ourselves be inspired by the elements and use them for our creative practice.

THE COURSE LEADERS:

We, Sonja and Eva, have been at home in the fields of photography, design and film for around 20 years. We decided early on to take a path outside the advertising and film industry. Instead, we document life and experiences in an artistic way. At the same time, we discovered the positive influence of experiencing nature on life, the unconscious and work. For us, the artistic and personal development of photography is paramount. Because only by knowing why you take photographs can you use the technical possibilities of the camera for your own expression. Only those who are connected with themselves can also connect with the people in front of the camera and photograph them with heart and soul.

FEEDBACK FROM PARTICIPANTS:
"I am really touched that we learned or experienced sooo much in this short time and felt so connected. So many moments of depth and authenticity. Eva and Sonja have created an absolutely valuable program and it really pays off so much to embark on this beautiful journey. I was so inspired by the creative photography techniques and the free expression towards art and it showed me a new way to express my inner self."

"Through you I have found confidence in my creativity and have been able to anchor it more deeply. I can finally breathe a sigh of relief after a very long time, I can be creative! I can finally give myself permission from the bottom of my heart! How great is that!"

"The creative retreat is a wonderful experience of encountering yourself, the elements and photography. Sonja and Eva create a very special space where you can let go and encounter the elements in your own individual way."

The house is in an absolutely secluded location and has been lovingly renovated with breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. After an eventful day, the pool invites you to take a dip. A cozy terrace with a large table is the central point of the retreat. Here we can start the day with a delicious Catalan breakfast and end it with a tasty dinner prepared by our wonderful chef. The large grounds around the house with plenty of seating and hammocks invite you to linger and read. It is a place of peace and relaxation where you can listen to the sounds of nature day and night and let the healing power of nature work its magic on you. The single and twin rooms offer a perfect blend of simplicity and comfort. If it should be a little cooler, we make ourselves comfortable by the open fire.
Places are limited to 5 people: There are a few single rooms and twin rooms available, as well as a triple room. The bathrooms are shared.

Our chef will spoil us with local vegetarian, wholesome products. All meals are included. Breakfast includes freshly roasted bread with avocado and tomato, lunch is a light salad or quiche and in the evening there is a 3-course menu made from local ingredients.

Am I creative? Can I just play like I did as a child? Can my job be fun? Can I depict more with my photos than what I see? Can I express myself through photography?

If you ask yourself these questions, your inner artist* will come to you. The artist that perhaps fell silent when you were six years old and life was suddenly no longer a game. Or the first time someone criticized something you had created.

If you want to find your inner artist again, then the creative retreat is the right place for you.

Whether you don't feel free in your profession as a photographer to realize your own visions or something inside you wants to express itself that you can't quite grasp. Whether you are just starting out in photography or are simply curious about what is possible with this medium, your previous knowledge of photography is irrelevant.

Are you curious and keen to experiment, open to new things, love nature and don't want to go your creative way alone?

Would you also like to gain an insight into creative project work to make your ideas visible and would you like more creative self-confidence? Then Element is for you.

8.00 Breakfast
9.00 - 13.00 Morning program
13:00 Lunch and siesta
15.00 - 18.00 Afternoon program
19:30 Dinner and end of the day

The house is easy to reach by public transport. The nearest airport is Barcelona (approx. 150km). From there there is a train/bus to L`Ametlla de Mar, where we will pick you up by car. We are happy to help you organize a bus, rental car or cab from the airport.