February 2nd-10th, 2026
Madeira, Portugal
Explore the beautiful island of Madeira on this 7 day, 6 night photography and leisure retreat
Learn from the best in the industry and take awe inspiring photos in the beautiful Island of Madeira, Portugal.
Imagine yourself taking in the beautiful sea breeze while sipping a delicious Pancha beverage watching the waves crash along the beautiful Madeira Island coast as the sun goes down. Or maybe- watch the fog roll in early morning in the mystical Fanal Forest, one of the last remaining Fanal tree forests of its kind. What about viewing the beautiful land from the highest peak in Madeira as the clouds float below you. If this all sounds amazing, I haven't even gotten to the beautiful photos we will be taking yet!
This 7 day, 6 night trip will be filled with breath taking photos, unique landscapes, world-class education and equal days of your choice to relax or get adventurous and explore! We might even have a surprise up our sleeves for a one of a kind excursion included in your trip. (We love a good surprise) If the photos below don't convince you enough, then keep reading to learn about our educators and accomodations!
Soak in the Culture of Madeira Island
Stroll through the local markets while sipping a glass of local Poncha, Madeiras official beverage unique to the island.
We will enjoy local restaurants and enjoy the fresh food that Madeira has to offer. All Breakfast and Lunches will be included.
We will be visiting the beautiful gardens of Madeira- Accessible by cablecar to the mountain tops. Monte Palace was founded in the 18th century as fine estates and opened to the public in the 1980s bringing both exotic and native plants together for a beautiful picturesque property for everyone to enjoy.
Meet Our Educators:
One of the most notably awarded creative photographers in the world. NZIPP Grandmaster III photographer and educator. Stage presentations have included WPPI, The Portrait Masters Conference, and The NZ Photography Show.Richard's dedication to nurturing the next generation of photographers is evident through his comprehensive online courses and in-person workshops. His teachings cover a broad spectrum of photography, specialising in creative thinking and photographic production, providing aspiring photographers with the tools and techniques they need to excel in their artistic craft. Richard's approachable style and in-depth knowledge make him a sought-after mentor and educator in the photography community.In addition to his accomplishments as a photographer and educator, Richard is an extremely experienced judge, with 15 years of judging the NZIPP Awards. He also served as the head judge and director at The Portrait Masters Awards and Accreditation, playing a key role in shaping and upholding the highest standards in professional photography.NZIPP Grandmaster III, WPPI Grand Award Winner, International Icon Grand Award Winner, 5-time NZIPP New Zealand Photographer of the Year Winner, 2-time Asia Pacific Photography Awards Grand Award Winner, WPE First Place recipient.
Richard Wood
INSTA: @richard_wood_photographer
Ric is an internationally published photographer specializing in fine art portraiture, underwater, fashion,maternity, and boudoir. Of all the genres of photography his two main passions are maternity andunderwater portraiture. Ric travels the US with his wife Kayla and teaches workshops as well as speaksor runs photo booths at photography conventions throughout the US. When he’s not taking pictures orteaching workshops, Ric helps his wife with her company Kayla Douglas Artistry. Ric is an ambassador forBaby Dream Backdrops, Aftershoot, Embrace Presets, Spider Camera Holster, Cheetah Stand, andAftershoot. The most important thing for Ric as a photographer is that every client, every photographer,and every creative walks away from every interaction with him feeling loved, inspired, and valued.
Ric Lewis
INSTA: @riclewisphotography
Braulio Rocha is a Montreal-based wedding and portrait photographer known for his dramatic, cinematic lighting and ability to capture authentic, timeless moments. A Portuguese immigrant, he arrived in Canada with just $40 and worked as a janitor before building one of Montreal’s most recognized photography brands. His work has been widely acclaimed, including a feature in *The New York Times*, which dubbed him the “Montreal Bar Mitzvah king of photography.” Beyond photography, Braulio is a dedicated educator, hosting workshops across North America on dramatic lighting and storytelling. Sponsored by brands like AftershootAI, Flashgear.net, and Flori Albums, he provides photographers with innovative techniques to elevate their craft. He also leads two large photography education communities on Facebook, with a combined membership of over 100,000 photographers. As an ambassador for AftershootAI, Flashgear.net, and Flori Albums, Braulio helps connect photographers with cutting-edge tools. In his free time, he enjoys working out, spending time with his two young daughters, and writing educational blogs for photographers and wedding guides for brides.
Braulio Rocha
INSTA @Rochastudio
Shannon K. Dougherty is an accomplished Boudoir and Portrait Photographer based in St. Louis, Missouri, known for her refined artistic vision and commitment to elevating the craft of photography. With a background in fine art painting, Shannon seamlessly blends classical artistic influences with fashion and editorial aesthetics, creating images that transcend traditional portraiture. Her work is characterized by its intentional composition, evocative styling, and masterful posing, resulting in portraits that are not just photographs but true works of art. Beyond her own creative practice, Shannon is a dedicated educator and mentor in the boudoir photography industry. She empowers photographers to refine their craft, guiding them in developing a cohesive artistic vision, mastering the nuances of styling and posing, and transforming their work into meaningful, impactful art. Through her expertise and passion, she continues to shape and inspire the next generation of photographers.
Shannon Dougherty
INSTA: @shannon_k_dougherty
Hotel Accommodations: Quintinha Sao Joao - 5 Star Boutique Spa Hotel
Quintinha de São João is one of the old examples still in existence of typical Madeiran “Quintas”. With a history closely linked to that of the Island of Madeira, the Quinta witnessed various experiences over time, eventually becoming what it is today: – A small, charming five-star hotel with 42 rooms. The “Quintinha”, as we affectionately call it, keeps this essence full of history that may almost be relieved by walking through its gardens and all the interior nooks and crannies of the hotel.
Take a sneak peek at our shoot locations:
What's Included:
What's Included:
Hotel stay for 6 nights in Madeira, Portugal
Breakfast and Lunch Daily
Transport throughout the island on photoshoots and excursions
3 days of exclusive photoshoots with professional models in beautiful locations with wardrobe specially crafted by Kayla to compliment the scenery
Hands on educational classes taught by world-class educators in the industry
Class Discussions/Keynotes
A special one of a kind surprise excursion (Bring your party pants)
Whats NOT included:
Flights to Madeira, Portugal
Dinner accomodations are not included as we will allow evenings to be a choice of attendees to explore amongst themselves or join in on group dinners planned by attendees.
Transport from the airport to and from the hotel (This is due to the vast amounts of people arriving on different times, however we have personal connections to local transport agencies we can work an agreement to pick you up based on your arrival time.
Any non retreat planned extra excursions on our downtime exploration days. This will be amongst guests to choose what they would like to do as a group or individuals for those that like to explore alone for a day or two.