Fine Art Portraiture Workshop in Provence France
Join professional photographers and artists Fritz Liedtke and Raina Stinson in Provence, France, for an intimate and transformative week-long art retreat that you won’t soon forget.
Over 7 days, you’ll learn to create stunning portraits in majestic locations in the south of France; visit the best antique sellers and farmer’s markets; taste local Provençal cuisine; have private access to some of the region’s hidden treasures; and practice mindfulness/meditation in ways that will elevate your creativity and leave you refreshed and inspired for your next great photograph. All this, while living in the French countryside next to the village of Velleron, France, surrounded by a small group of like-minded artists.
The focus of this photography workshop is fine art portraiture. Using local models, vintage clothing, local antiques, and the villages, chateaus, and fields of Provence, you’ll learn to elevate your portrait photography from good to extraordinary. Master photographer Fritz Liedtke will share with you his 35 years as a portrait photographer, helping you learn the ins and outs of creating powerful portraits. You’ll learn how to see light, and how to use it to your advantage (including the use of light modifiers and small, portable flashes). Through in-class discussions, on-location demonstrations, and time to photograph with models, you’ll learn about planning, wardrobe, model selection and direction, location selection, lighting, and post-processing, to create deeply moving portraits.
In this workshop, you’ll also learn to transcend the fears and limitations that keep you from your best work as an artist. Through mindfulness, meditation, and other exercises, Raina and Fritz will help you to see what hinders you from your best work, and how to move past these barriers with freedom and confidence.
All of this will take place in a private residence in Velleron, France, surrounded by acres of gardens, groves, and a swimming pool, and within walking distance of the village and its famous farmer’s market. Regular outings will take us to chateaus, villages, and secret locations throughout the region, where you can photograph, shop, eat, and explore.
Our goal is for you to create beautiful photographs in Provence, but also to come away refreshed and invigorated as an artist. You’ll learn to fine-tune both your vision and your technique. You’ll return home with a beautiful portfolio and a full heart.
Your local host and photographer
ABout Raina
Raina is an American international award-winning fine art photographer and has been living in Provence for the past 6 years. She is often seen photographing the Provencal countryside with her canine companion, Zoé. The former nurse-turned-professional photographer has 30 years of photographic experience. She has amassed rare intellectual capital in the Luberon region—whether it’s a crimson poppy backdrop or a patisserie with confections as beautiful as jewels. Raina leads Provencal photography tours, workshops, and online photography courses focused on combining inspiration with photographic knowledge, and technique. She incorporates her many years as a teacher of meditation and mindfulness into her courses. Her enthusiasm and professionalism—as well as her entrée as a Luberon local—combine to give students exciting new ways of seeing through the lens of their cameras.
Over the years She has received numerous awards in recognition of her work and has exhibited around the world. For a full list of awards and exhibitions click here
Our guest master photographer
ABout fritz
Fritz Liedtke began photographing as a teen, carrying a Kodak 110 Instamatic on a US tour with his father at age 14, in their little blue Datsun B210.
Fritz holds a BFA in photography and printmaking and has won numerous awards, grants, and residencies for his work. His images have been widely published by magazines such as National Geographic, Lenswork, PDN, Professional Photographer, View Camera Magazine, Rangefinder, Silvershotz, PhotoLife, Diffusion, and blogs such as Lenscratch, Photoeye, LensCulture, China Life Magazine, F-stop, and others. His work is held in such collections as the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Griffin Museum of Photography, The Haggerty Museum, Portland Art Museum, Yale University Library, Lishui Museum of Photography, Scripps College Rare Book Collection, and more. View his Vitae here.
Aside from making art, Fritz enjoys creating unique images for his commercial and editorial clients, traveling, and teaching workshops on photography and the artistic life. He is constantly looking for new ways to approach the world through art.
Fritz and his family call Portland, Oregon their home. They live on several acres outside of town surrounded by herons, egrets, ducks, bitterns, and frogs.
Link to websites
7 Nights 7 Days
When:
September 7th to 14th, 2024
Where:
Velleron, France, La Fontaine B&B
The closest airport is Marseilles (MRS) or you can take the high-speed TGV train from Paris to the Avignon TGV station. (3 hours train ride)
Who is this for:
This workshop is geared toward photographers with at least basic knowledge of camera and lighting techniques. Wherever you are in your portrait photography, from amateur to professional, we’ll teach to your level, and help you acquire new skills and confidence.
Price:
Private room with en-suite bathroom 4400€ per person
Private room with shared bathroom 4200€ per person
*Please note our retreat is limited to 6 guests to ensure you have a personalized boutique experience
Lodging
You will be staying at La Fontaine B&B, which is the private countryside villa of your hosts, Raina and Denis.
What is included:
Photography Workshop
Fritz combines discussion, critique, and viewing the work of Master Photographers, along with live demonstrations, to help you become the very best portrait photographer you can be. Fritz and Raina will also give 1-1 instruction as you photograph with models throughout the workshop.
Daily Excursions
Daily excursions curated and led by Raina to photograph and shop in villages, markets, and beautiful locations only known to locals.
explore Roman ruins, art and famous artists
We will spend a full day exploring Arles during the famous photography exhibition Les Rencontres de la Photographie, explore the Roman amphitheater, and ruins, walk in the footsteps of Van Gogh, and have lunch at the famous Cafe la nuit where Van Gogh painted Terrasse de café le soir, (1888).
Accommodations
At La Fontaine your choice of private or shared room with bathrooms, private and shared. Wi-Fi, pool, pool house, and beautiful peaceful secluded gardens.
Meals
Scheduled meals breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included. Extra wine and cocktails are not included. Honesty bar on site
WHAT GEAR DO I NEED?
All cameras are welcome, including mobile phones, DSLRs, and film cameras. Your lighting gear (reflectors, flashes, etc) is also welcome. You'll also want to bring a photo processing program (Fritz will be teaching using Lightroom and Photoshop) on your mobile phone or computer.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
In this workshop, we will:
Look at the work of master artists and learn from them;
Learn about developing rapport with your subjects and giving them clear directions to make them look their very best;
Learn how to use natural and artificial lighting to your best advantage, so you’re always prepared to light a great portrait. Fritz will be using off-camera flash extensively, in addition to utilizing and modifying existing natural light.
Watch live demonstrations of both shooting portraits and post-processing them in a way that accentuates the mood/feel/style that best expresses your vision, with plenty of time for Q&A.
Have time for you to photograph with models in beautiful locations, with Fritz and Raina’s oversight and input.
Identify and overcome fears or limitations that you would like to transcend in your portrait photography.
You’ll come away from the workshop with new insight, confidence, and images you can be proud of.
Itinerary for Portraiture in Provence Workshop
Day 1 – Saturday, September 7th
We’ll begin by picking you up in L’Isle sur la Sorgue, at the train station or your lodging, should you arrive the day before (which we recommend). Pick-up time at 11 am.
We will venture to la Fontaine, the private villa of Raina and Denis, where you will settle into your rooms. We will then gather for a French country-style picnic at the pool house.
We’ll begin our time together with introductions, a review of the course of study, and an introduction to French culture and etiquette.
We’ll discuss what makes a great portrait, looking at the work of master photographers and painters, and drawing inspiration from their work.
Next, we’ll explore the barriers that keep you from where you want to be as an artist, through a written exercise and discussion. This is followed by an introduction to mindfulness meditation by Raina and a guided process to help you move through your barriers and open up your creativity.
This will be followed by a brief on-site photo assignment.
There will be time to edit your photos and have downtime to enjoy the pool and relax under the Provence sun.
We will end the day with an apéro, followed by a dinner at the villa, where we will have open discussions about the day.
Day 2 – Sunday, September 8th
We’ll start the morning with a French continental breakfast followed by an optional mindfulness meditation led by Raina, to set your intention for the day and open to your creativity.
Next, we’ll venture out to a large antique market in the town of Carpentras, where you will be encouraged to find objects that you are drawn to, to use as props in your portraits this week.
Lunch will be at a lovely French restaurant in Carpentras.
After lunch we will head back to the villa for a lesson on how to work with your subjects to get the shot you want; looking at master photos and dissecting how they are made; and a lesson on lighting with natural and artificial light.
After our lesson, there will be time to edit your photos, and downtime to enjoy the pool and relax under the Provence sun.
We will end the day with apéro followed by a dinner at the villa where we will have open discussions about the day.
Day 3 – Monday, September 9th
Start the morning with a French continental breakfast, followed by an optional short mindfulness meditation led by Raina to set your intention for the day and open to your creativity.
Today we will go to the beautiful hilltop village of Goult for on-location photography with models. Fritz will give a demonstration on shooting dramatic portraits, followed by ample time for students to photograph models, with Fritz and Raina giving 1-1 guidance.
Lunch out in the village cafe.
After lunch, we return to the villa and Fritz will lead an editing demonstration, to help you make your portrait photographs pop.
After our lesson, there will be time to edit your photos, and downtime to enjoy the pool and relax under the Provence sun.
We will end the day with apéro followed by dinner at the villa, where we will have open discussions about the day.
Day 4 – Tuesday, September 10th
Start the morning with a French continental breakfast, followed by an optional short mindfulness meditation led by Raina to set your intention for the day and open to your creativity.
Today we will explore the town of Arles. You will have full access to inspiring photography at the famous photography festival Les Rencontres de la Photographie, which was founded in 1970 and has earned a worldwide reputation as a springboard for photographic and contemporary artists. You also have the opportunity to explore the Roman amphitheater and ruins and walk in the footsteps of Van Gogh.
We will have lunch at the famous Cafe La Nuit where Van Gogh painted Terrasse de Café Le Soir (1888).
After a full day in Arles, we will head back to the villa for apéro and dinner. We will have time to discuss what you saw and what inspired you during your time in Arles.
Day 5 – Wednesday, September 11th
We’ll start the morning with a French continental breakfast, followed by an optional short mindfulness meditation led by Raina to set your intention for the day and open to your creativity.
Today we will visit the hilltop village of Menerbes, where you will see incredible views of the valley and beautiful provencal architecture. We will have a private tour of the famous 18th-century home of Dora Maar, a surrealist artist and photographer. She was a companion and muse of Picasso from the late 1930s to the early 1940s. After the tour, you will have some free time to wander the village and photograph.
Lunch at a cafe in Menerbes.
After lunch, we will return to the villa to have time for review and feedback on your photos so far.
You will have some downtime to relax, edit photos, and enjoy the pool.
We will have a light snack before we head out for an on-location golden hour photography demonstration in the beautiful Provençal countryside, where you will have shooting time with models.
Dinner will be at a restaurant in the famous village of L’isle sur la Sorgue.
Day 6 – Thursday, September 12th
We’ll start the morning with a French continental breakfast, followed by an optional short mindfulness meditation led by Raina to set your intention for the day and open to your creativity.
We will then go to a beautiful chateau for a demonstration shoot by Fritz, followed by time to photograph with models inside and outside, using both natural and artificial light.
We’ll have lunch in the village.
After lunch, we return to the villa to edit your photos, and we’ll have time to review your photos with feedback from Fritz.
Before dinner, you will have the option to go to the famous night produce market in Velleron. All of the produce comes directly from local farmers harvested that day. It is a great time to experience an authentic local market and photograph the beautiful produce of Provence.
Dinner in Velleron at a local cafe.
Day 7 – Friday, September 13th
We’ll start the morning with a French continental breakfast, followed by an optional short mindfulness meditation led by Raina to set your intention for the day and open to your creativity.
We’ll drive to the hilltop village of Lacoste, where we’ll have a dramatic portrait demonstration by Fritz, followed by time to photograph in the village and abbey with models.
Lunch out in Lacoste
After lunch, we head back to the villa to have time for editing, apéro, and our final photo review/critique.
Farewell dinner at the villa with wrap-up discussions over dinner
Day 8 – Saturday, September 14th
Start the morning with our final French continental breakfast.
Departures by 11am. Au revoir, friends!
CANCELATION POLICY
A 50% retainer of the total cost is required to reserve your spot for this workshop. The balance is due by July 1st, 2024. Due to the logistics & upfront costs of creating an exceptional workshop experience like this, we are unable to offer refunds on payments made. We encourage you to purchase travel insurance in the event of strikes, natural disasters, health problems, and other unforeseen events in your life or the world.
**Please know due to weather or other reasons activities and locations may change. If this is the case an equally enjoyable activity and location will be arranged.
