Workshops & Creative Retreats in France

Alongside my own photographic practice, I host a series of carefully considered workshops and creative retreats in the beautiful Dordogne region of France. These immersive experiences offer a rare chance to step away from the rush of everyday life and into the slower, more meditative world of analogue photography, from wet plate collodion to historic printing techniques, and even digital processes if you choose.

A cowboy sitting inside a rustic wooden structure, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, looking out at horses in a foggy outdoor scene.

Whether you wish to explore portraiture, the figure, or landscape; work in an ancient darkroom with glass plates and vintage lenses; or simply reconnect with the quiet craft of image-making, these workshops are shaped around creativity, patience, and personal expression.

If you’d like to learn more, or perhaps join me for one of these retreats, you can visit:

French Photography Holidays

Here you’ll find full details on upcoming workshops, accommodation options, and the beautiful settings, from grand châteaux to my own Limestone Studio, that make these experiences truly special.

  • One-to-one and small group workshops — completely tailored to you. Whether you're just beginning or returning to photography with curiosity, we’ll shape the experience around your interests — from wandering through markets with a 35mm camera to creating large-format collodion portraits in the studio.

    Mentoring and support — for anyone working on a project, building confidence in analogue techniques, or looking for a fresh perspective on their creative path. You don’t need a portfolio — just a willingness to explore.

    Hands-on sessions in a range of digital and alternative processes, including:

    • Wet plate collodion: ambrotypes and tintypes

    • Salt printing

    • Photopolymer gravure

    • Traditional silver gelatin printing

    • Film development and darkroom work

    • Creating digital negatives for alternative printing

    • Use of vintage and large format cameras — from 8x10, 10x12 plates to 35mm, 120 roll film, 4x5, 8x10

    • Use of 6x17cm, 6x9cm

    • Custom sessions for exhibition printing or private commissions

    Creative residencies (coming soon) — a chance to stay at the Limestone Studio and spend time making work at your own pace, alongside photographer and founder, John.

  • The Limestone Studio sits quietly on the edge of a small hamlet in the Dordogne, housed in a converted stone barn rebuilt by hand and with care. Upstairs, a spacious, light-filled studio offers room to experiment and explore; below, a fully equipped darkroom invites you into the slower rhythms of analogue photography. The surrounding woods, fields and quiet lanes are part of the experience — an invitation to slow down, look closely, and respond.

    Whether you're picking up a camera for the first time or returning to film after years away, this is a place for anyone drawn to the beauty of photographic process.

  • We recommend a selection of nearby stays, from relaxed countryside chambres d’hôtes to boutique hotels such as Hotel de Bouilhac in Montignac — a 5-star retreat with refined rooms and excellent food. Gîtes and B&Bs are available for every style and budget, all within easy reach of the studio.

    Food & Atmosphere

    Lunch is home-cooked and shared around the table — a chance to pause, talk, and connect. Evenings are yours to enjoy as you wish: explore a local market town, try a riverside bistro, or simply unwind. The pace is yours to choose — some come to dive deep, others to gently explore.

    Both are welcome.