Imagine creating magical images with your camera as you explore enchanting medieval villages, ancient castles, meandering rivers, and French markets.
Imagine slowing down, seeing with your senses, and listening to the voice of your soul. This is what we will do in this 10-day all-inclusive creative pilgrimage, hosted by Perigord Retreats, in one of the most beautiful places I have visited. This will be my third visit to the area, and I can attest that it is full of magic.
Photography is a language of light and reflection. A camera gives us a way to record what touches our hearts. Time in the beauty of nature gives us a way to connect what we see with what we feel. The pace of this retreat will be gentle so that we can open up to the beauty and wonder all around us as we learn to see with symbolic insight.
Our creative time together includes:
Practices for bringing mindfulness and present moment awareness to the photographs you make so your images more fully reflect the feeling and emotions a scene evokes in you.
Guidance on how to use your camera to photograph close-up scenes which open you to seeing the world through a lens of wonder.
Reflective Focus Practices using your eye and your camera which will build your image-making skills, while showing you the value of “seeing through quiet eyes”.
Instruction on adding your unique creative approach to your images by enhancing them on your iPhone, iPad or Android device with Photo Apps that are easy to use and transform your photographs into art.
During studio time you will select and transform your favorite photographs as you learn how to turn them into photographs worthy of being printed in a book or being framed.
Creative book making in the studio. We will create two different book forms in which to collect your favorite images. All the supplies to make your books will be provided. Finding meaningful ways to share your images is an important part of the creative process.
Catherine will also provide each participant with a unique pilgrimage journal made specially for this Retreat which will include creative photography practices. This retreat is just the beginning of finding ways to use your images to express who you are and what is important to you.
If you were visiting the Perigord area on your own, you would need a car to visit the many scenic and unique spots. Perigord Retreats provides all the transport for us so that we can enjoy the dreamy vistas and small towns stress-free. In addition, they know the secret spots where we can find the most evocative scenes as this is where our hosts live. We will be visiting Rocamadour, Beynac, Sarlat, La Roque Gageac, Castelnaud la Chapell, St. Cirq Lapopie,, Cahors on Lot, and spending time in Gourdon, our local village.
Take a look at some of the beautiful excursion locations by clicking here.
This retreat will enhance your photography practice no matter your photographic experience, and any kind of camera will work for this retreat, including your iPhone or Android phone. We will be focusing on photography as creative and meditative practice rather than photography as a technical experience, although you will learn more about what your camera can do.
Catherine is author of The Creative Photographer, published in 2011 and winner of a Silver Nautilus Book Award in the Creative Process category in 2012, and is currently working on “The Contemplative Photographer” as she believes that where we place our attention and our awareness is vitally important in these challenging times.
Find out more about out hosts Perigord Retreats here.
Find out more about the accommodation at Perigord Retreats here.
COST OF RETREAT
€3400 - private bedroom, shared bathroom
€4100 - private bedroom, private bathroom
€6800 - double occupancy with private bathroom
This includes accommodation, all food and beverages (except two lunches and two dinners), transportation for excursions, pick up and drop off from Gourdon Station.
For more information and to register go to the Perigord Retreats page here.
GETTING TO THE RETREAT CENTER
Perigord Retreats will pick us up from 13:30 onwards on the start day of the retreat from the Gourdon train station and drop us back there in the morning on the last day of the retreat. They are happy to assist with routes and timings. As some of you might not have traveled on your own for a while, I will be happy to meet anyone who would like a travel companion from CDG airport and we can travel to the Gourdon train stationa together. We will work out our best route, date of arrival and way to travel closer to the time once I know who would like this option. If there are enough people we can even book our own personal transport from CDG to the retreat center. So if you are concerned on how you will get to this beautiful part of France, no need! I will travel with you. One of the reasons this area is so wonderful is that it is not easy for the everyday tourist to get there!
NOTE FROM PERIGORD RETREATS
Partners are welcome and are free to explore the various photography locations at their leisure. Local tips can be provided. Note that whilst at our accommodation property, activities include walks, communing with nature or the garden, swimming, relaxing or reading. The nearest town is 5 minutes by car.
*A non-refundable deposit of 1000€ Is required (unless cancelled by Perigord Retreats). Travel insurance is therefore highly recommended.
**IMPORTANT: Please wait until Catherine Anderson workshop is confirmed before booking any flights.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions!