EMMA DUNHAM INVITES YOU TO THE....
FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY
RETREAT
Join me close to the Brecon Beacons and the Cambrian Mountains in Wales, for a
photography workshop all about food.
RETREAT DATE: 2nd-6th November 2025
WHY A FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY RETREAT?
LEARN PROVEN FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY LIGHTING TECHNIQUES
We will practice lighting techniques together with natural and artificial lighting with beautifully prepared fresh food. You will understand exactly how to photograph each food type and why.
And.. When it doesn't go to plan, we will fix it together.
UNDERSTAND HOW TO COMPOSE YOUR
FOOD & DRINK
With simple techniques that work for foods, drinks and full table set ups, we will go through each composition rules and apply them to the gorgeous food we will be photographing. This will speed up your workflow and give you awesomer imeages to show off your food.
CREATE THE BEST STYLING FOR YOUR FOOD
Work with the best crockery, glasses, cutlery, props and ingredients so your food images pop. You will also get to use the tools that are needed in food photography to get the best out of the food.
PHOTOGRAPH FOOD PREPARED BY A CHEF
Karen Kirkby is a private chef and will be cooking all the food that you will be photographing. You will not have to cook anything, it will be presented to you beautifully and ready for it's photoshoot - it will save loads of time.
RELAX AND ENJOY PHOTOGRAPHING & EATING THE FOOD
This retreat is not only to take your food photography skills to the next level, but to relax with Emma and the other guests over good food, drink and stunning views. We will eat, drink, photograph and immerse ourselves in the local community.
TAKE AFTERNOON TEA WITH EMMA
Karen will prepare a feast for your eyes and stomach. A full beautifully prepared afternoon tea will be yours to eat and photograph over a glass of bubbly or a cuppa tea. Your biggest decision will be if it's jam or cream first!
EAT, DRINK, PHOTOGRAPH, RELAX.
MEET THE TEAM
KAREN - THE CHEF
Growing up we always had home cooked meals with vegetables from the garden and when Mark and I had our own children it was important to us that we cooked for them using fresh ingredients.
At the age of 40 I took myself off to catering college part time and worked in the kitchens of a private school. I was asked to look after the pastry section and I loved it. Making quiches and desserts for lunch and afternoon teas in a coffee shop set up, which motivated me to go back to college to study for my level 3 pastry.
I loved trying out new recipes and making different types of bread and using seasonal ingredients. After 5 years I became the sous chef in the kitchen, alongside attending the Baxter Storey chef academy. It was an amazing course and learned so much about field to fork.
I also had a private catering company with a business partner. Every event was different from dinner parties, buffets, weddings to canapé events. Our ethos was great food, great ingredients and great service for every bespoke event.
After Covid I needed to get a full time job, so I became the head chef at a local garden centre, where I stayed until we relocated.
IT'S A TEAM EFFORT
THE FAMILY
We have now been running the B&B for 18 months and love the work life balance.
I knew the food and drink would be a big part of the business. We make our own bread, muesli, granola, hash browns and plan to make our own jam and marmalade this year.
We also have a selection of cakes and cookies which I make.
It is important we use locally sourced products as much as possible so a lot of the breakfast items are from the butchers literally across the road and a lot of the other items like tea, coffee, water, chocolates, alcohol are produced in Wales.
We want to ensure our guests have a relaxing and comfortable stay, enjoyable breakfast and great hospitality.
Karen, Mark & Poppy
It has been a dream to ours to run our own B&B for quite a few years. We used to spend weekends driving to different areas to work out where we would like to live. We knew we wanted something a bit different and quirky and as soon we walked in it just felt right for both of us.
We hope you like our little patch of paradise too.
WHAT HAPPENS ON EACH DAY
SUNDAY ARRIVAL
Join Emma and the other photographers for a welcome meeting at 4pm where you will be guided through the week.
You can ask questions and find out anything you need to know at the meeting as well as say "hi" to the other photographers
Emma will introduce you to Karen the chef alongside her husband Mark and Poppy the dog.
You will then be shown to your room and drinks and evening meal are then provided to get you ready to start on Monday.
MONDAY
Today we start our food photography journey.
All our food today will be created for eye level photography.
Stacks of thick cut bread, burgers, sandwiches all ready for you to light, compose and style with artifical and natural light.
Lunch will be eye level savoury food and desserts.
The afternoon will consist of gorgeous cakes and sweet bites to sink your teeth and camera in to.
Late afternoon, will be an optional walk, to sample the local weather and delicacies.
Evening drinks and dinner served in the dining hall.
TUESDAY
All our food today will be created for 45 degree photography.
Karen will craft handmade goodies that will work with natural and artifical light and we will work with some advanced lighting techniques today.
Lunch will be plenty of picky bites as we want to leave space for the afternoon ensemble.
The afternoon will consist of a decadent afternoon tea that Karen will create for us.
Once photographed we will demolish it, the only question is with bubbles or not?
Late afternoon, will be an optional walk, to sample the local weather and delicacies.
Evening drinks and dinner served in the dining hall.
WEDNESDAY
All our food today will be created as flat lays.
Karen will create food that looks good from a flatlay perspective. We will heavily work on our styling and props today.
Lunch will be plentiful to help us with our afternoon task.
The afternoon will consist of a drinks and liquid photography and Karen will make us some amazingly photogenic cocktails to photograph, then sample.
Late afternoon, may be a wobbly optional walk, to sample the local weather and delicacies.
Evening drinks and dinner served in the dining hall.
THURSDAY
Today we put all the components together and each photographer can decide where they need more practice and will have an a la carte option to build on what they need.
Emma will be trouble shooting the photography for the morning, but votes on whats required will be taken and implemented for this last morning.
A light lunch will then be offered and then we say our farewells to Karen, Mark, Poppy and each other.
HERE IS WHERE YOU WILL STAY
Unwind as you enjoy some of Britain’s most dramatic countryside. Refresh and reinvigorate yourself in an area that has inspired cyclists, walkers, artists and dreamers for centuries. (6 rooms at the venue)
Your host: I'm Emma
If you have not been in my world before "hi" I'm Emma!
Nice to "meet" you.
If you haven't checked me out yet, let me just give you a quick summary...
I am a multi-award winning food photographer, author of the best selling Savvy Food Photography Diary, founder of the Food Photography Academy and mentor and coach to photographers wanting to take their average food images from average to awesome.
So if you...
- Are not sure how to make your food look amazing
- Want to know how to make your food look authentic & delicious
- Want to speed up getting amazing photos
- Need help on understanding how your food images are perceived
Then this retreat is a great place for you.
BOOKING
We have 6 spaces in total to book for the photography,
partners are more than welcome too.
THE ROOMS
You will sleep in the most comfortable beds in luxuriously appointed rooms.
Bedroom features include:
An en-suite bathroom, luxury bathrobes, mineral water, locally produced Chocolates,
Service en Chambre hospitality tray with teas & coffee, daily maid service, hairdryers,
heating, hot water bottles , Flat screen television, complimentary high-speed WI-FI
DOUBLE ROOM
1 PHOTOGRAPHER
£1295
Per Person
or
£144
per month x9
The price includes:
✅ Bed & Breakfast
✅ Lunch
✅ Evening Meal
✅ Welcome drinks
✅ All food to photograph
✅ All food photography tuition, props, backdrops
This price does not include:
❌ Travel or transport to the venue
❌ Alcoholic drinks with meals
TWIN ROOM
1 PHOTOGRAPHER + PARTNER (not photographing)
£1845
Per Room
or
£205
per month x9
The price includes:
✅ 2x Bed & Breakfast
✅ 2x Lunch
✅ 2x Evening Meals
✅ 2x Welcome drinks
✅ 1x All food to photograph
✅ 1x All food photography tuition, props, backdrops
This price does not include:
❌ Travel or transport to the venue
❌ Alcoholic drinks with meals
DOUBLE ROOM
1 PHOTOGRAPHER + PARTNER (not photographing)
£1845
Per Room
or
£205
per month x9
The price includes:
✅ 2x Bed & Breakfast
✅ 2x Lunch
✅ 2x Evening Meals
✅ 2x Welcome drinks
✅ 1x All food to photograph
✅ 1x All food photography tuition, props, backdrops
This price does not include:
❌ Travel or transport to the venue
❌ Alcoholic drinks with meals
TWIN ROOM
2 PHOTOGRAPHERS
£2195
Per Room
or
£244
per month x9
The price includes:
✅ 2x Bed & Breakfast
✅ 2x Lunch
✅ 2x Evening Meals
✅ 2x Welcome drinks
✅ 2x All food to photograph
✅ 2x All food photography tuition, props, backdrops
This price does not include:
❌ Travel or transport to the venue
❌ Alcoholic drinks with meals
WHAT 'S IN THE LOCAL AREA
Close to the Brecon Beacons and the Cambrian Mountains,
The New White Lion is a special place that returns you to a slower pace of life.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW FAR FROM THE STATION IS IT?
About a 5 minute walk and there is plenty of parking if you are driving too.
WHAT IF I NEED TO ARRIVE LATE OR LEAVE EARLY?
Each day has a different theme and activities, so if you need to miss any of it, you will still be able to catch up and thrive through the week.
CAN I SHARE A ROOM TO KEEP THE COST DOWN?
If we have another photographer that is asking the same question, we will put you in touch with each other to see if you are happy to share.
I HAVE DIETARY REQUIREMENTS - WHAT DO I DO?
We have a fully trained chef and owner at the venue. Karen will be able to cater for any dietary requirements for your meals which we will ask you about once your deposit has been paid. This does not include the food we photograph, there will be meat, fish, gluten and dairy in the foods we photograph.
MOUTHWATERING IMAGES
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