• MAY 4-9, 2025 •
Join us next may for an
exclusive food photography retreat
set in the picturesque landscapes of Italy.
Elevate your skills, expand your portfolio and immerse yourself in a ✨ luxury ✨ experience like no other.
If Italy and a thriving photography career are on your vision board, then this experience is tailor-made for you! 🇮🇹
It's not just any retreat.
It’s an experience packed with hands-on food photography styling sessions, business growth sessions (branding, marketing, pricing, & licensing), unforgettable excursions like truffle hunting and olive grove walks.
You’ll learn sharpen your photography and business skills, connect with fellow photographers and like-minded people, and savor the finest food and wine.
Leave the details to us! Our luxury retreat is designed to be completely stress-free.
Day by Day Itinerary
MAY 4
WELCOME TO ITALY!
We're counting down the minutes until we meet you. Just a heads-up: we're huggers, so get ready for plenty of those!
After your arrival, it's time to relax. An Italian-style aperitivo awaits you, complete with cocktails, mocktails, and mouthwatering charcuterie boards.
We’ll officially kick off the retreat with a mindset session, because having the right mindset is key in our work as photographers. It sets the foundation for creativity, confidence and building a successful career. Let the experience begin!
MAY 5
Today we’ll dive into your own specific personal branding to elevate your photography business and start attracting the right clients.
We’ll break for lunch that is catered by our private chef, but wait, we have to shoot the food first!
In the afternoon we’ll have our first hands on food styling and photography session. Always a fun and enriching moment for our students!
Then we'll have some free time to hang by the pool or sauna with a glass of vino. Dinner will be catered once again by our amazing chef!
MAY 6
You simply can’t come to Florence without exploring its unique charm: how does a visit to a farmer's market sound? It’s every food photographer’s dream.
In the morning, we’ll wander through Florence’s markets, followed by a hands-on cooking class where you’ll prepare a delicious meal to enjoy for lunch.
We'll spend the rest of the day capturing Florence’s beauty and practicing how to spot stunning compositions in the world around you rather than creating them in the studio.
In the afternoon, we’ll return to the villa for an engaging session on licensing & marketing strategies, where you’ll learn how to turn your photography into a thriving business.
MAY 7
This morning, it’s all about color grading: how can we take our work to the next level with advanced editing techniques?
Later, get ready for an exciting truffle hunting adventure, how does that sound? It’s another amazing opportunity to capture stunning photos (and even create content you can sell on stock websites for extra income!)
After a truffle-infused lunch, we’ll head back to the villa to review and edit our photos together, applying the concepts you learned in the morning.
To top off this incredible day, it’s pizza night and a cozy pajama party…relax, unwind, and enjoy!
MAY 8
This day is the perfect blend of photography and relaxation. In the morning, we’ll dive into another inspiring photography session, capturing beautiful compositions.
Afterward, we enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by our chef, then it’s time for us to treat you like the queen you are: it’s spa day!
As the day transitions into evening, we’ll embrace the magical golden hour for a branding photoshoot, complete with personalized 1:1 feedback and guidance to refine your skills.
To end the day on a high note, our chef will create a memorable final dinner, letting us enjoy our last evening together in pure relaxation.
MAY 9
Breakfast and check-out are scheduled before 10 am.
While it's hard to say goodbye, we know this experience was truly unforgettable and we're confident we'll meet again soon!
After the retreat, most of our students book trips to Rome, Amalfi or other gorgeous Italian places. Take advantage of it while here!
THIS EXPERIENCE IS DESIGNED FOR:
The food photographer who is confident in manual mode and has an understanding of Lightroom.
We will be covering more advanced business strategy, compositional techniques, and editing. If you are working as a part time or full time photographer, this is the perfect retreat for you!
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WHEN
May 4 - 9, 2025 | 6 Days, 5 Nights
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WHERE
Come indulge in La Dolce Vita in the renowned Mugello area. Your home for six days? A luxurious villa with a pool and private spas, in the stunning Florentine countryside.
With its gorgeous interiors and timeless ambiance, this beautiful farmhouse is surrounded by olive groves and woods, and offers the perfect setting to refine your photography skills and experience an unforgettable retreat.
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What’s iNCLUDEd
Transfer to and from Florence Train Station on Sunday and Friday - to/from the villa
6 Days, 5 nights in a gorgeous Italian Farmhouse in the Mugello Area
Breakfast, lunch and dinner (and snacks, and aperitivo 🍷 ) throughout your whole stay
Food Photography styling and photography sessions
Branding, marketing, business, and editing sessions from photography experts, Roberta & Sam (pick our brains!)
Exclusive experiences
Secret surprises 🎁
WINE AND ITALY VIEWS, HELLO?! :D
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What’s NOT INCLUDEd
Airfare
Transportation to Florence (from airport) - Roberta will help you book the correct train.
Meals before and after the retreat
Travel insurance
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accommodations
We have spots for only 10 people for this intimate food photography retreat!
8 PRIVATE bedrooms (with queen bed) and private bathroom - $ 5499
1 SHARED bedroom (with 2 single beds) and a private bathroom - $4899
Payment plan options available at the checkout page.
“I think I deserve something beautiful.”
― Eat, Pray, Love
Your luxury home for 6 days!
CANCELLATION/REFUNDS POLICY
We understand that unexpected circumstances may arise that could prevent attendees from joining our retreat. Please note that we do not offer refunds for cancellations.
However, if you are unable to attend, you have the option to find a replacement participant to take your place.
Should you need to arrange for a replacement, we kindly ask that you handle the transfer of funds directly with the replacement attendee. Please inform us of any changes to attendee details prior to the retreat.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in ensuring a smooth and successful experience for all participants.
QUESTIONS
If you have any further questions about this retreat email us at sam@samadlerphotography.com or business@robertadallalba.com
“This experience changed me for the better”
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liz
This retreat was so beneficial to me as a photographer and as a person. Sam and Roberta are two of the best in the industry, and learning from them was priceless. I was able to put so many practical tips into practice right then and there which helped to solidify all of the knowledge I gained. I also learned many things spending time watching and shooting alongside my fellow photographers each day. Building relationships within the photography community was also so valuable, and I am so grateful to have walked away with new friendships with people that have the same passion for photography that I do. It gave me confidence in my work, it was unforgettable, and I would definitely recommend it whether you’re newer to photography or you’ve been in it for a long time!
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Brita
I had the most amazing time at this retreat and would 1000% recommend it! Sam and Roberta helped me put more character and personal touches into my photography that has really translated in my photos performing better on social media and really anywhere I post them! My photos feel so much warmer and more inviting and I actually love my photography now. They helped us learn how to shoot in many different settings and lighting and I loved that. PLUS I've maintained relationships with almost everyone who was at the retreat with me and those friendships have been invaluable!
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tara
It was an absolute dream to experience the food photography retreat with Roberta & Sam in Italy. They were both so encouraging, knowledgeable, and patient and really helped me step out of my comfort zone. Not only did I hone my styling, photography and editing skills, but I gained so much confidence with shooting on location. I also learned how to shoot more lifestyle shoots in addition to just food (e.g., hands in frame, outdoors with food & flowers, etc.). It was a magical experience and I’m so glad that we also had downtime in the evenings just to connect and get to know each other better as well - I still keep in touch with several of the attendees to this day, as it was such a special experience. If you’re looking to take your skills to the next level and build beautiful memories, book this retreat!!
