Back in February, which feels like a year ago – we had a still-life photography workshop (before Corona put a stop to that kind of thing).
It was hot, steamy and very pretty…
We were thrilled to have English interiors & still life photographer @joannamaclennanphotography collaborate in our beautiful space for this one-off workshop. For Joanna it was her last stop before she returned to the south of France. Luckily she made it home just before the big changes to international travel happened.
Before everyone had a chance to choose their corner and their props – Joanna explained the ins and outs of slow photography, types of cameras, and the importance of natural light (& yes its okay to use iPhone’s). Byron delivered one of the steamiest February days possible. We were glued to our seats as the heat set in…
Thankfully the space worked brilliantly as there was enough room for everyone to work individually, find their ‘still-life’ and for Joanna to give them guidance.
Mandy from whitecottage_flowerfarm_ travelled 3 hours from Tenterfield to join us and we were ever so grateful she did. Mandy, has a flower farm and bought the most divine BUCKET of roses that everyone went a little silly over ! And there were plenty of props to choose from. I am continually adding to our curated collection of sometimes useless – but always beautiful props for our own photo-shoots and backdrops.
What is a workshop without sharing a meal around a old table and breaking bread? An informal and pretty 19thC Belgium refectory table surrounded by antiques was chosen for this intimate gathering.
Using locally sourced produce including French cheeses, delicous tapenades and olives from Byron Bay Olive Co.and baguettes from Sunday Sustainable.
By the end of the day everyone had exhausted there photographic eye and were keen to have a chilled glass of rosé. It wasn’t just the roses or the English rose, Joanna who were wilting – we were all feeling it, but in a good way !
What kind of workshops would you like to see happen in our beautiful space in Byron Bay ? 
I would love to hear from you as we dream about future arty collaborations.
