I have teamed up with Paul Sanders to create a unique photographic retreat on the Outer Hebrides which will run in March 2019. Photography for both of us is about the artistic and personal journey rather than the technicalities. The focus is on your personal connection with the landscape – understanding why and what it is you love about landscapes. I have a belief that this is where the true beginnings of individual style starts. But it is harder for people to actually get to grips with what they really love than you can imagine! In order to do so you need to listen to what your intuition is telling you, and to be able to listen everything else has to be quiet. Being away from your everyday life and immersed in nature for a few days will give you the time and space to start this journey.
This is a tour of the wonderful Outer Hebrides for those who love the outdoors, truly wild and remote beautiful places as well as a little bit of luxury when they return. Details are as below:
Dates: 11th – 16th March 2019
Tutors: Paul Sanders & Margaret Soraya
Trip cost: £1,550 pp single
Accommodation: Lews Castle
Fitness Level: Easy
Included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner, transport on the island, private sea charter
Excluded: Drinks, travel & camera insurance
Accommodation: Lews Castle, single room. Doubles available.
For full details you can visit the dedicated Quiet Landscapes website here
The Isle of Lewis & Harris
The Isle of Lewis consists of a mix of terrains; rugged cliffs, sea stacks, stretches of deserted beaches, crumbled remains of empty croft houses, hills, lunar-like rocky plateaus and desolate moorlands. As well as Neolithic standing stones Iron Age Brochs and traditional 17th century Blackhouses. I have a real love of this island which offers incredible landscape opportunities in unique and remote landscapes.
The autumn and spring are the best time to photograph the Outer Hebrides. In march the days are shorter which allows us to photograph during sunset or sunrise and is also when the quality of light is at its best.
The Isle of Harris is approx an hour and a half drive away and connected by land so there will be trips to visit this island which is tranquil, peaceful and welcoming. The island has everything from rugged mountains to sweeping golden beaches and was named fifth best island in the world in the Trip Advisor Traveller’s Choice Awards. It is best known for its beaches which have been often described as some of the best in the world.
Our Accommodation
Lews Castle is an A-listed castle dating back to the 1840s which has been recently restored into luxury bedrooms and apartments of a high standard. This will be our base as well as accommodation and you will all have single accommodation which has access to a kitchen area for each 3 rooms. There is an onsite museum and cafe and huge expanse of castle grounds. The castle was chosen for its sense of space, quiet and that little bit of luxury. It is also within walking distance from Stornoway should anyone wish to bring a partner who wanted to have the flexibility of not taking part in the photographic sessions. Instead, they would be free to explore and enjoy the castle and surrounding area.
On this very special Outer Hebrides retreat I have teamed up with Paul Sanders We both work in an intuitive manner and both believe that photography is about how you respond to the landscape rather than the technicalities.
We are equally passionate about helping and assisting others to develop and grow in understanding in their own landscape photography.
We have both overcome significant challenges through landscape photography and have learnt to live in a way that we stay healthy, happy and fulfilled through our landscape work. We have come together to create a unique space for a few days in a beautiful isolated island which will allow us to help you in your own photographic journey.