It’s the start of October 2020 and the wedding season has been decimated by the pandemic, weddings rescheduled, flights cancelled and what was set to be an exciting year of travel to film beautiful destination weddings. A year that I was really proud of personally from a professional point of view, the destination weddings I had scheduled in was something I could have only dreamt of when I started RL FILMS Co a decade ago.

Even though the wedding season had been flattened, I still found myself on route to Heathrow T5, being asked to join a bunch of creative wedding photographers who have come together to host their first workshop and film a behind the scenes, Tavola retreat….. and it was a GOOD one!

The team behind Tavola retreat is The Curries / Benjamin Wheeler / Ben Higgins / Collin Ross . A group of creative, industry leading wedding photographers who are also great friends. With lots of insights to share during the week long photography workshop in Puglia Italy, in the most incredible location. The private estate lies in the heart of the Puglia’s dreamy Itria valley, with views of beautiful olive trees and vineyards, a stones throw from the ancient city of Ostuni and the stunning Adriatic coastline.

A location that just enhanced the experience of Tavola retreat, enabling everyone to unwind, learn, be creative, share and collaborate in a luxury and private setting with everyone being able to be on site the whole time made the experience all the better.

Aside from all 5 speakers sharing their knowledge about their approach to photographing weddings, they shared their journeys, branding advise, SEO, relationships, editing style, how to work with your couple and build a relationship both before the day, on the day and after the wedding too, there was also a number of shoots planned for the week both as a group and individually having time with the models to put into practice what had been shared. Shoots were both on site and in the nearby picturesque village. A well rounded approach to learning and implementing new skills.

I captured some vertical video during the portrait sessions to make 4 quick Instagram teasers, Vertical video is a great way create quick impactful Insta video content.

At the end of each day there was food, drinks and a real chance to just relax and hang out, something that previously I’ve not done so much in my own CLARITY workshops which are fully focussed on learning. This will be something I’ll implement so much more going forward in the upcoming 2021 CLARITY workshop.

Big thank you to the guys at Tavola retreat for asking me to film the BTS of their first workshop retreat. Here’s to 2021!!