• 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 our dear retreat student 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:
Photographers who want to expand their skills into travel, lifestyle, and street photography - and capture stories that go beyond the table.
Each day will blend 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.
_______________________________
WHEN
December 1-3, 2025 | 3 Full Days
_______________________________
WHERE
Come indulge in La Dolce Vita in Rome, the Eternal City, a photographer’s dream.
_______________________________
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 professional photographers (Sam & Roberta)
_______________________________
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)
Breakfasts + meals & trips before or after the retreat dates
Travel insurance
INVESTMENT OPTIONS
Your spot in this 3-day Rome photography retreat can be reserved with:
FULL PAYMENT: $2,999
TWO PAYMENTS: $1,570 each
Secure your place now (spots are limited to 8 people max)
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 – Sunday, 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!
9:30 AM – Welcome & Holiday food styling session
Let’s kick off the retreat with festive Italian vibes: think panettone, biscotti, fresh herbs, holiday colors, candles, clementines… Get hands-on with styling and capture your first dreamy shots of the season!12:00 PM – Lunch at a cozy Roman trattoria
Sit back, relax, and enjoy your first taste of Rome with us, a cozy meal full of flavor and conversation.2:00 – 4:30 PM – Market walk + Lifestyle/Street Photography
We’ll wander markets and charming streets, and capture the magic of Rome. You’ll get on-the-spot tips to help your photos shine while still exploring with no rush.5:00 PM – Aperitivo & Creative Reflections
Let’s take a pause with a festive aperitivo. We’ll reflect, share inspiration, and soak in everything you’ve captured so far.7:00 PM – Group Dinner & Good Nights
We’ll end the day together with a relaxed dinner, laughter and stories - the perfect close to your first magical day in Rome.
Day 2 – Monday, Dec 2
9:30 AM – Campo de’ Fiori + Christmas market shoot
Let’s start the day wandering the colorful stalls of Campo de’ Fiori, capturing the festive energy and unique details of Rome’s holiday markets. We’ll be there to give tips, help you see the light, compositions, color schemes, and make sure your shots tell a story.12:00 PM – Lunch in the Jewish ghetto
Savor the flavors of Rome with a delicious lunch in this historic neighborhood, a chance to slow down, taste and chat about our morning captures.2:00 PM – Afternoon excursion & leisure
Let’s be tourists and soak in the history of the city! This afternoon is for us to enjoy, wandering charming streets, doing a little shopping, or simply exploring museums at our own pace.Down Time
Take a break to rest, edit or just enjoy the city before dinner.7:00 PM – Group dinner + Informal creative chat
Gather back together over a relaxed dinner, share stories, ask questions, and reflect on your favorite moments of the day.
Day 3 – Tuesday, Dec 3
9:30 AM – Color Photo Walk
We’ll start the day with a mindful photography walk, soaking in the textures, light and colors of Rome’s streets.
Let’s capture images that tell a story and make feel something.11:00 AM – Café stop & creative pause
We’ll take a cozy café break to pause, reflect on your morning captures and receive feedback, and let inspiration strike for your next shots.12:30 PM – Lunch at a Charming Café
Let’s enjoy a delicious lunch, and savor the flavors and atmosphere of Rome one last lunch together.2:00 – 4:00 PM – Color Grading & Editing Session
Let’s bring your images to life in a hands-on advanced editing session. Practice color grading and shape your final portfolio-ready images with confidence.Down Time
Take a break to rest, edit or just enjoy the city before dinner.6:00 PM – Goodbye Dinner + Creative Closing Circle
We’ll end the retreat with a warm group dinner. Share your favorite moments, celebrate your growth and leave inspired, confident and ready to tell your visual stories in your own unique way.Here’s to 2026, full of creativity and new possibilities!
“I think I deserve something beautiful.”
― Eat, Pray, Love
TESTIMONIALS
“This experience changed me for the better”
-
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!
-
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!
-
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!!
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
We can't wait to create unforgettable memories with you!
SAM & ROBERTA