The beginning of your artistic story

Arrive in Mudgee and settle into one of the town’s most beautiful historic homes that has been lovingly restored. 

In the evening, we'll gather for drinks and welcome dinner.

This is our chance to meet, share a little of our stories and begin getting to know the people with whom we'll spend the next four days.

No formal presentations. Just genuine connection and authenticity.

Just the pleasure of finding yourself in place, amongst people who share your passion.

Each participant will bring to the table a project, a selection of photos of your work, and an intention. You will have the opportunity to talk about where you are in your creative journey and what matters to you. 

We begin around the table with one of the most important discussion for creatives, what are things that move you, move you to tears, move you to grab your camera, to jump on a place, to  take a closer look or to smile and laugh. 

Through conversation, we'll explore the connection between our personal stories, the images we long to make, the things we are attracted to over and over again, our heroes and the photographs we make.

What draws us to certain subjects? Why do some images move us while others leave us cold? What are the themes that keep appearing in our work, perhaps without us even realising?

Together, we'll begin identifying the ideas, emotions and personal experiences that could become the foundation of a more meaningful body of work.

The afternoon brings time to explore Mudgee with fresh eyes, guided by creative prompts that encourage curiosity rather than perfection.

The intention: To begin recognising your unique creative voice, what moves you, missed opportunities, the things holding you back or frustrating you. 

Your most meaningful work doesn't begin with trying to be different. It begins with recognising that you already have an artistic story, what makes you uniquely you, and leaning into a place maybe you have never dared to go.

Discovering your unique creative voice and the stories only you can tell.

Through personal mentoring, we'll explore the experiences, passions, influences, and ways of seeing that shape your photography. Together, we'll look at your images with fresh eyes, uncover recurring themes, and help you recognise the artistic voice that may already be emerging.

Today is about observation, intuition, and the art of meaningful image-making.

We'll explore how to move beyond the obvious photograph to create images filled with atmosphere, emotion, and intention.

How can you use light, gesture, colour, composition, and the unexpected to tell a more compelling story?

How do you recognise the moments that speak to you, and learn to trust your instincts rather than seeking approval?

With Carla and Loc bringing their individual perspectives, we'll encourage you to experiment, challenge familiar ways of seeing, and discover new possibilities in the world around you.

At the heart of the day is you and your photography.

Through dedicated one-to-one mentoring, we'll focus on the areas where you need the most support. Perhaps it's working through a technical challenge that's holding you back, finding confidence photographing on the streets, developing a personal project, or answering those burning questions you've never had the opportunity to ask.

Whether we're looking through your images together, exploring Mudgee with our cameras, or working through a creative roadblock, our intention is to meet you where you are and help you move forward.

Because sometimes all it takes is a fresh perspective, a little encouragement, and the courage to step outside your comfort zone to discover a whole new way of seeing.

The intention: To recognise the value of your own artistic voice, overcome what's holding you 

A beautiful photograph can sometimes change the way we see a subject; it can give us insight or provoke us to think differently. 

But a meaningful series of photographs can take us somewhere. Finding the thread that connects your images, ideas, and creative vision.

Today, we'll explore how individual images come together to tell a story and how to bring greater clarity, purpose and direction to your photographic work.

We'll look at editing, sequencing, visual rhythm and the creative decisions that give a body of work its own identity.

What belongs in your story? What can be left out? How do you move beyond a collection of beautiful photographs to create something that feels personal and meaningful?

Working with your existing images and the photographs you've made in Venice, we'll begin to uncover connections, recurring themes and possibilities you may not have recognised before.

We'll also explore something many photographers find challenging: knowing how to move a body of work forward — and when to let it go.

Perhaps you have an unfinished project waiting for your attention, hundreds of photographs you don't know what to do with, or an idea you've been carrying for years but haven't quite found the courage or structure to bring to life.

Together, we'll explore what's holding you back, what might be missing and the practical and creative decisions that can help you move forward.

Sometimes the greatest challenge isn't making more photographs. It's recognising the value of what you've already created, learning to trust your choices and knowing when your work is ready to be shared.

With Carla and Loc bringing fresh eyes, different perspectives and honest, encouraging feedback, we'll explore how thoughtful editing, curation and a little creative courage can transform the way you see your own work.

There will be dedicated one-to-one mentoring, time for reflection and opportunities to continue making photographs, with the freedom to focus on whatever you most need help with.

And, as always, we'll return to the table.

Because sometimes the most valuable thing we can offer another artist is our genuine curiosity, a fresh perspective, and the encouragement to keep going.

The intention: To bring greater clarity and direction to your photography, move beyond the obstacles that have been holding you back, and find the confidence to develop, complete or share the work that matters to you.

Confidence, clarity, and the courage to create the work you truly want to make.

Our final day is about bringing everything together, reflecting on what we've discovered, and looking towards what comes next.

In a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, what does it mean to create work that has your stamp firmly upon it?

How do we move beyond comparison and begin to recognise the value of our individual perspectives?

And how do we find the courage to follow our creative instincts, even when the work we want to make doesn't follow trends or fit anyone else's expectations?

Through personal mentoring and conversations around the table, we'll explore the creative and practical steps that can help you move forward with greater clarity and confidence.

We'll revisit the photographs you've brought, the discoveries you've made, the challenges you've worked through, and the ideas that have begun to take shape. 

Each photographer will have the opportunity to share a selection of images, a new direction, or simply something meaningful they've discovered about themselves and their photography.

We will also invite you to present ten of the most powerful images you have taken in Mudgee in our time together. 

We'll talk about what excites you now, what you want to explore next, and how to turn that inspiration into something lasting.

Perhaps you've discovered a new way of seeing. Perhaps you've found the courage to begin a project you've been putting off, gained clarity about work that's been unfinished for years, have the tools, resources, and knowledge to move forward with conviction, or simply remembered why you fell in love with photography in the first place.

Together, we'll celebrate those discoveries, big and small.

And we'll begin to imagine the next chapter.

Not necessarily with a finished project.

But with something potentially far more valuable.

A clearer direction. A stronger belief in your own artistic voice. And the confidence to make the work that matters to you.

As our time together in Mudgee comes to a close, we'll gather in the garden one last time for a special country dinner.

An evening to share the moments that moved us, the unexpected discoveries, the creative breakthroughs and those wonderful little epiphanies that can change the way we see.

We'll celebrate the photographs we've made, the questions we've answered, the new possibilities ahead and, perhaps most importantly, the friendships and connections that have grown over our days together.

Because STORYTELLER isn't only about becoming a better photographer.

It's about feeling, being seen,  encouraged and inspired by others who understand what it means to create.

And leaving Mudgee knowing that although our time together has come to an end, your story is only just beginning.

The intention: To leave with renewed creative confidence, a clearer sense of direction, practical next steps and the encouragement of a small community of photographers who believe in your work.

One last breakfast.

One last coffee.

Perhaps a final walk along the canal before saying goodbye.

You'll leave with fresh ideas, a deeper understanding of your work, practical steps for your next project, and the knowledge that you're part of a small community of photographers who understand and support your creative journey.

And perhaps you'll return home seeing the familiar world around you in an entirely new way.