Who This Retreat Is For

This retreat is designed for landscape photographers who want to build confidence and consistency in their editing. Whether you're refining your Lightroom workflow or looking to finally feel comfortable using Photoshop, you'll gain practical skills in a supportive, small-group environment.

Suitable for beginners through to experienced photographers.

What You’ll Learn

Over the course of the retreat, you'll develop a clear, efficient editing workflow that takes you from RAW file to polished final image with confidence and consistency. You'll refine your use of Lightroom to organise and protect your photo library, make precise tonal and colour adjustments, and use masking tools to guide the viewer’s eye and enhance visual impact.

Photoshop will become a practical and approachable extension of your workflow rather than something intimidating. You'll learn how layers, masks, and selections work together to give you precise control over your edits, allowing you to move seamlessly between Lightroom and Photoshop to achieve results that aren’t possible with Lightroom alone.

You’ll also master advanced yet highly practical techniques such as luminosity masking, dodging and burning, exposure and time blending, focus stacking, focal length blending, and sky replacement. These tools enable you to overcome real-world shooting limitations, such as dynamic range, depth of field, and changing light, so you can faithfully and creatively realise your vision. Every technique is taught in a clear, repeatable way that you can confidently apply to your own images long after the retreat.

Whether you're new to editing or looking to refine and streamline your process, you'll be guided step by step in a supportive, small-group setting. You'll leave with clarity, confidence, and a repeatable approach you can rely on every time you edit.

Optional Photography Sessions

While the retreat is editing-focused, you'll enjoy a guided coastal sunset shoot on Friday evening at Castaways. Optional sunrise sessions on Saturday and Sunday are available for early risers, giving you fresh images to refine during the retreat

Enjoy two nights at Castaways Resort, Waiuku, in a stylish two-bedroom deluxe chalet, shared with just one other attendee. Each participant has their own private bedroom with a super king bed and a private ensuite, along with expansive coastal views.

Your stay is fully inclusive, with all meals provided - from three-course dinners and relaxed lunches to buffet breakfasts and morning and afternoon teas, allowing you to focus entirely on learning, creativity, and enjoying the experience.

This arrangement offers both comfort and privacy in a relaxed, premium setting.

Investment: $2,380

To confirm your space on the retreat, a non-refundable deposit of $500 is required. The balance of the retreat is payable 60 days before prior to the workshop start date.

By booking this workshop, you agree to the Terms & Conditions. Please review them here

• Two nights' accommodation in a deluxe two-bedroom chalet with private bedroom and ensuite

• All meals: buffet breakfasts, lunches, morning and afternoon teas, and three-course dinners on Friday and Saturday

• Hands-on Lightroom and Photoshop instruction

• Small-group learning with a maximum of eight participants

• Personalised guidance and one-on-one support throughout the retreat

• Printed workbook and downloadable practice files

• Guided coastal sunset shoot on Friday

• Optional sunrise photography sessions on Saturday and Sunday

• Access to private clifftop and coastal photography locations within Castaways Resort

• Complimentary on-site parking

• Flights and travel to and from Castaways Resort, Waiuku

• Travel and medical insurance

• Alcoholic beverages

• Barista-made coffee and speciality drinks beyond standard tea and coffee provided with meals

• Personal expenses and incidentals

To get the most from the retreat, please bring the following:

Essential

• A laptop capable of running Adobe Lightroom Classic and Adobe Photoshop smoothly

• Adobe Lightroom Classic and Adobe Photoshop installed and updated

• Your laptop charger and any required power adapters

• A mouse, trackpad, or graphics tablet for precise editing

• A selection of RAW landscape images to work on

• Your camera and tripod for sunrise and sunset sessions

Optional but Recommended

• An external hard drive or SSD for backups and file transfers

• A notebook and pen for taking notes

Clothing for Coastal Conditions

Castaways is located on Auckland’s west coast, where conditions, especially at sunrise and sunset, can be cool and windy. A windproof jacket and a beanie are strongly recommended for comfort during optional photography sessions. Gumboots are also a great option for the black sand beach, though they are not essential.

Do I need prior experience with Lightroom or Photoshop?

No. The retreat is suitable for all skill levels, from beginners to experienced photographers.

What equipment should I bring?

A laptop with Adobe Lightroom Classic and Photoshop installed, along with a selection of RAW images. A mouse or graphics tablet is highly recommended for precision editing.

Are flights included?

No. Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel to and from Castaways Resort.

Is parking available?

Yes, complimentary on-site parking is available.

What is the check-in and schedule overview?

Check-in is from 3:00 pm on Friday. We'll meet at 5:00 pm for introductions, followed by a sunset shoot (weather permitting) and a three-course welcome dinner.

Saturday and Sunday focus on editing sessions, with optional sunrise shoots, catered breaks, and lunches at the resort restaurant. A second optional sunset shoot takes place on Saturday. The retreat concludes on Sunday afternoon.