3 full days. 3 mentors.
1 epic location in the Belgian Ardennes.
April 3rd 2023 - April 7th 2023
This workshop is not about us,
it's about you.
Running a wedding photography business is a demanding job: You have to be the marketeer, the photographer, the editor, the award winner, the strategy consultant, the social media manager, the customer service manager, the accountant, the receptionist and the packaging supervisor. And you have to do all this while making sure you attract enough clients to reach your financial target.
In a time where it’s never been as easy to start your own photography business, with easy templates and technological advancements...
What will make you stand out? What will give you value as a photographer?
Chances are, that since you started as a wedding photographer (all of the business and marketing has taken your focus from the fun part. The photography itself)
Mauricio, Ian and Yves all have walked different paths in life and have a different approach to wedding photography, but we do share the exact same vision: Photography is a means of self expression, and that is unique to you, it’s your identity as a photographer.
In this workshop, we’re creating the perfect getaway for you to let go of fear, reconnect to that inner compass and come to a place that’s yours.
Let us introduce ourselves
Mauricio Javier Arias Mora
Born in Nicaragua, Mauricio moved to USA in 2008 He never studied art or photography but started working as a professional photographer 2010. Already in 2011 Mauricio received international recognition and awards and became an international keynote speaker and teacher. In the mean time he kept traveling the world for weddings and fun. In 2021 he became Creative director of Graphistudio.
Ian Weldon
Ian Weldon is a photographer from the North of England predominantly photographing weddings, culture and leisure, whilst also working on commercial assignments.
With only a brief period of studying photography at a local college, Ian is primarily self-taught. He is a previous lecturer on photography history and has delivered a wide range of photography programs both academically and privately.
His long term project, 'I Am Not A Wedding Photographer', was recently exhibited at the Martin Parr Foundation in Bristol, and was featured worldwide in major publications including The Guardian, The British Journal of Photography, Vice, Creative Review, BBC World News and CNN to name but a few, with I-D France billing him as, ‘le photographe de mariage le plus cool du monde’. (The coolest wedding photographer in the world)
A book of the work, with the same title, has been co-published by RRB Books and The Martin Parr Foundation, with foreword by Martin Parr. Currently sold out.
Yves Schepers
Being a former engineer, Yves Schepers took a 180* turn in life and ventured out in the creative world of wedding photography. Since the beginning, he strives to be a complete wedding photographer; his photography being a hybrid between artistic portraiture and authentic documentary photography. Always focusing on keeping things real and honest.
Yves’ work is recognized around the globe and has won numerous international awards with the highlights being “Masters of Wedding Photography” Photographer of the year 2017, WPJA Photographer of the year 2019 and This Is reportage Photographer of the year 2020.
These merits have brought him to the stage of several international wedding photography conferences like Nine Dots Gathering, BodaF, WeddCamp,... and become a brand ambassador for leading companies like DreambooksPro and Sony.
Yves has been teaching workshops for the last 6 years and is a founding member of the Mind The Moment Collective that focuses on documentary wedding photography workshops. After almost 10 years of shooting wedding photography he has more than enough mileage and experience to connect to his students in an empathic but also analytical way. He can quickly pinpoint the areas of improvement for your photography and guide you through that process step by step. Sometimes that can feel confronting but no one ever made progress by beating around the bush, right?
What will you learn?
Be welcomed into a safe and inclusive environment where all questions, emotions and insecurities have their place and right to exist. The connections you’ll make, the talks we’ll have and the positive energy that’s created throughout this week will lift you up and guide your photography closer to your true identity.
Throughout the total of 5 days, this workshop offers a balanced mix of theoretical presentations, practical exercises and the philosophy of photography itself.
We’ll touch subjects like:
- How your personal path in life influences your photography and vice versa.
- Look at how photography history can help you to really connect to photography itself.
- What does it mean to have a documentary approach in wedding photography?
- How to tell a complete story of a wedding day without losing track of your visual identity.
- How to let go of fear by shooting in the street.
- Break away from the sunset silhouette and align your creative portraits to your own personal vision.
- How post-processing bring out the maximum in your photos.
- Get a personal review of your work
Also included:
- A safe environment to explore and connect with like-minded photographers
- 3 workshop days packed full of expertise and hands-on assignments
- 4 night stay at a breathtaking chalet in the Belgian Ardennes
- Meals and drinks are included. Cheers.
- Time to relax in the sauna & recharge
"Connect with yourself and your tools to elevate your craft. Connect with a community that speaks the same language.”
Pricing
- Early bird: €1600 excl. VAT if you book prior to February 15th 2023
- Full price €1700 excl. VAT
- Deposit of 50% on registration. Second payment done by March 15th 2023
Prices are including lodging, food and drinks from the evening of April 3rd until the morning of April 7th. The participant is responsible for booking his/her own travel to the workshop.
If you want to join us in this interesting journey, click on the button below to send us an email with your name and details and book your spot.
We thank our sponsors: