• DEC 1-3, 2025 •
A HOLIDAY PHOTO RETREAT FOR YOUR SOUL (AND YOUR CAMERA)
Ready to leave your studio behind, wake up in Rome during Christmas time, EXPLORE its magical streets, and master your photography storytelling?
This December, escape your routine and join a small group of photographers in Rome for 3 creative days of styling, shooting and ADVANCED editing - rediscover your inspiration!
WITH PHOTOGRAPHERS & RETREAT HOSTS
SAM ADLER & ROBERTA DALL’ALBA
Portrait photo by Katheryn Moran
IS THIS YOU?
You’re ready to step out of your studio and capture Rome’s magic - from festive markets to golden-lit streets - while taking your photography skills to the next level and creating portfolio-ready images.
You want hands-on tips, freedom to explore, and connection with like-minded creatives in an intimate, inspiring group.
This December, immerse yourself in the city’s beauty and leave confident, inspired and fully equipped to tell your visual story..the perfect creative recharge before 2026 begins.
Think: inspiration without burnout.
This isn’t your average retreat: it’s 3 dreamy, curated days in Rome where you choose your favorite hotel, and all the creative experiences are fully planned for you.
Perfect for any storyteller, you’ll style festive scenes, wander the Eternal City’s iconic streets, and capture its magic.
With a balance of guided workshops, shared meals but also downtime to explore, you’ll gain hands-on skills without feeling overwhelmed.
By the end, you’ll be ready to tell full visual stories - from holiday details to stunning piazzas to magical Christmas lights - in your own signature style.
THIS EXPERIENCE IS DESIGNED FOR:
Food photographers who want to expand their skills into travel, lifestyle, and street photography - capturing stories that go beyond the table.
Each day blends creative experiences like food styling, photography walks, color grading/editing sessions and immersive local adventures.
To get the most out of the experience, you should feel confident shooting in manual mode and have a solid understanding of Lightroom.
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WHEN
December 1-3, 2025 | 3 Full Days
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WHERE
Come indulge in La Dolce Vita in Rome, the Eternal City, a photographer’s dream.
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What’s iNCLUDEd
3 days of guided experiences and workshops in Rome
Festive food styling session
Photography walks with on-the-spot tips for capturing the perfect shot
Editing & color grading session + visual storytelling practice
Lunch and dinner reservations, plus aperitivo gatherings
Behind-the-scenes support from two pro photographers (Sam & Roberta)
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What’s NOT INCLUDEd
Airfare to/from Rome and local transportation outside the retreat activities
Lodging (choose your favorite hotel, Airbnb or boutique stay - reach out for recommendations)
Meals + trips before or after the retreat dates
Travel insurance
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Day by Day Itinerary
DEC 1
WELCOME!
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!
“I think I deserve something beautiful.”
― Eat, Pray, Love
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!!
