Luxury Portfolio Building & EDUCATION
August 19TH - 21st, 2024 | DOVER HALL
DOVER HALL RETREAT
GRECIAN POOL
Wednesday, August 21St
6 Hours Shooting + 2 Female Models
A whimsical water dream with grecian water muses located in the beautiful European style pool behind Dover Hall. You will be shooting 2 female models styled in dreamy, draping grecian style gowns. There will be mounds of floating florals of pinks, peaches and white in the pool. You will be able to shoot the models both in and outside of the pool water for a truly unique shoot experience.
A luscious Lustre Theory banquet table design nestled among the magical hedges of the Dover Hall Rose Garden located behind the estate. Bursting with florals and colors of soft peach, pinks, oranges and lilac spill from this richly texture design. This design will feature table settings and unique accents that are not available within the normal event rental market. This is a rare chance to shoot a table bursting with romantic details and have access to shooting luxury level tabletop brands. You will be shooting one female model with this table scene styled in couture colored fashion.
GARDEN TABLE
Tuesday, August 20th
3 Hours shooting + 1 female model
PARLOR INSTALLATION
Tuesday, August 20th
3 hours shooting + 1 female model
A grand and dreamy floral installation set against the gorgeous white european fireplace in Dover Hall's front parlor. Be prepared for a total room transformation of warm peaches, soft pinks, white and green as light pours in from the massive windows in this space. You will be shooting one female model styled in couture white bridal fashion.
The shooting event of the year! Join power duo David Abel and Lustre Theory for an immersive, 2 day, luxury photography retreat at the beautiful Dover Hall Estate. Located outside of Richmond, VA, Dover Hall is the perfect European aesthetic shooting opportunity located right here in the US. This retreat will help push your business to the next level while learning from luxury industry experts and connecting with fellow creatives. Experience the hospitality and fine dining of Dover Hall. You have the option of selecting from our VIP Packages with incredible lodgings and fine dining right at Dover Hall or from our Standard Retreat Ticket where you can stay off site but still select to have dinners with everyone. You can expect the BEST and be assured to walk away with incredible portfolio imagery and education you can turn into action.
August 19 - 21, 2024 | DOVER HALL Richmond, Virginia
DOVER HALL RETREAT
I'm David. A luxury wedding photographer who has photographed glamorous weddings and editorials throughout the United States and Europe. Beautiful jaw dropping imagery is what I live for. I attract couples who want timeless, beautiful, and emotive images. I do this by blending our editorial style with the heartfelt images of moments with their family and friends.
I've been photographing professionally for over 15 years. I started shooting just out of college after studying fine art. I picked up a camera and fell in love with all aspects of photography. My beginning in fine art allows me to see lighting and composition in a way others may not see and has lead me to choose a medium that is more organic.
DAVID & KRISTY ABEL
David Abel
I’m Kristin. A creative director, stylist, content creator and the force behind Lustre Theory. I focus on incredibly detailed and intentional work for upscale commercial styling, editorial production, and the private event world. Helping brands and clients outside of the wedding industry and within.
I created Lustre Theory after working in the corporate world of marketing and design. I wanted more for myself and the creative passion I knew I could bring to others. My design style is unique, bold and bewitching.
KRISTIN SHOCKLEY
Lustre Theory
Meet Your Hosts
Caroline's practice focuses on creative small- to medium-sized businesses. Her previous life in public relations and advertising helps her understand clients' work, struggles, and concerns better than your average lawyer.
As an attorney, she's helped companies both large and small incorporate, tighten up contracts, protect trademarks and copyrights, and resolve disputes. She works brands through IP protection and enforcement, counsels creative agencies , and stands up for small businesses and content creators.
CAROLINE FOX
CJ FOX LAW
With a background in interior design and a love for classic, editorial, and authentic typography, I believe that great design is so much more than just aesthetics. It involves careful attention to the tiniest of details, and a strategic approach. While I’m no longer in the business of designing houses, I’ve come to imagine my client’s brand and site as the virtual home of their company. It’s my job to make sure every place in your virtual home has its “pillows” fluffed to perfection. Let's step into your new season with joy and confidence.
Sarah Lemley
LION & LILLY CREATIVE
Salted Pages is a copywriting studio creating SEO-rich content for brands from coast to coast, and across the oceans too.
Seeing that a large part of marketing is the messaging itself, we've taken that on as our specialty with a focus on website copywriting services. From the words on your website to your mission statement and SEO keywords, we help you connect with, and convert your ideal clients (so you can spend less time marketing while spicing up your sales). We're known for strategic (and Salted) copywriting for photographers and creative entrepreneurs, and also love partnering with local businesses to help them generate leads and stand out from a sea of competition.
Lauren Kutschke
SALTED PAGES
Sam Jacobson helps wedding pros book better clients at higher prices using buyer psychology and behavioral economics.
Event pros call him up when they run out of luck, natural ability, charisma and connections, because the tips and techniques he offers help even the best reach their full potential.
Sam’s spent 17+ years obsessing about how to get couples to pay more for event services. Predictive behavior profiling, value building, communication theory, choice architecture, persuasion tactics. You name it, he’s learned about it – and used it to market and sell over $10,000,000 directly to clients in the wedding industry.
Sam Jacobson
IDE/ACTION CONSULTING
GUEST SPEAKERS
* Lunch is included for all retreat attendees both days. Non Alcoholic beverages will be available for all attendees both days. (Water, Coffee, Hot or Iced Tea, Sodas, and Juices) Breakfasts at Dover Hall and Dinners are included for all VIP Package attendees. Dinners and cocktails are available as an add-on to our standard retreat ticket.
7:00 am - 8:00 am VIP Attendee Breakfast*
7:45 am - All attendees arrive at Dover
8:00 am - 2:00 pm - Shooting: Grecian Pool Scene - 2 models
2:00 pm - Lunch + Educational Time in Green Room
4:00 pm - All departures + room check outs
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 21
7:00 am - 8:00 am - VIP Attendee Breakfast*
8:00 am - All attendees arrive at Dover
8:15 am -10:00 am - Educational Time in Green Room
11:00 am - 6:00 pm - Shooting: Parlor Scene + Table Scene
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm - Lunch Break
6:00 pm - Shooting ends
7:00 pm - Dinner + Open Bar at Dover*
TUESDAY AUGUST 20
3:00 pm - VIP Attendee Check in at Dover
3:30 pm - VIP Welcome Champagne
4:30 pm - Welcome Dinner Arrival
5:00 pm - Cocktails + Charcuterie
5:30 pm - Welcome Dinner - 5 Courses & Wine Pairing*
MONDAY AUGUST 19
RETREAT SCHEDULE
- Photo/website review, determine your voice, leaning into your personal style.
- Curation for your target market.
- Building a brand that works for you and your goals.
- Selling to different buyer types, and workflow and sales techniques for your target audience.
- Marketing with your imagery, and developing relationships with luxury brands.
- Editing, workflow, & automation.
- Developing a relationship with your photo lab to achieve the look you you want.
ADDITIONAL INDUSTRY LEADERS We will cover:
EDUCATIONAL CONTENT
The Dover Hall Experiences team took over the management of the estate house in 2017. Their vision was to create an unparalleled guest experience through unforgettable events and upscale lodging. Since then, our team has hosted hundreds of weddings, holiday parties – indeed, anything that warranted a celebration!
LOCAL EUROPEAN ASTHETICS
Why we love them
Completed in 2000, the dream of original owners, Dennis and Cindy Pryor, was to design a lavish family home fit for royalty, reminiscent of the English countryside. The estate house’s initial planning and conceptualization began with The Pryors’ interior design firm sourcing furnishings and artwork across Europe, about four to five years before breaking ground on the property. The Pryors and their son spent approximately ten years living in the 38,000 square foot estate house before selling the property. Dover Hall underwent a significant transition from being a private residence to an exclusive luxury events venue in 2014.
DOVER HALL
introducing
• Full Retreat Access + All Meals by Dover Chefs
• 2 Night stay in one of Dover's stunning guest rooms*
• 2 Days of Shooting & Education
• 3 Styled Shooting Scenes + Details
• Welcome Champagne + Signature Drinks
• Monday Night Welcome Dinner - 5 Courses & Wine Pairing
• Full Breakfast – Tuesday & Wednesday
• Full Lunch – Tuesday & Wednesday
• Tuesday Night Dinner + Open Bar
• Access to refreshments throughout your stay
*One attendee per guest room due to fire safety regulations.
Business Investment: Starting at $5,524
VIP PACKAGES - STAY AT DOVER
• 2 Days of Shooting & Education
• 3 Styled Shooting Scenes + Details
• Catered Lunch by Dover Chefs – Tuesday & Wednesday
• Non-Alcoholic beverages throughout both days
(Water, Coffee, Hot or Iced Tea, Sodas, and Juices)
• Ability to add-on dinners at Dover Hall to your ticket
Business Investment: $4,000
STANDARD RETREAT TICKET
RETREAT TICKETS
Elevate your brand and REACH YOUR IDEAL CLIENTS
Workshop Partners
- L. Hewitt Photography
"If you're looking to elevate your portfolio to the luxury market, you MUST attend one of Kristin of Lustre Theory and David Abel's workshops. The images you get. will make your portfolio burst with enchanting fruit. There simply is nothing like this workshop!"
Is this workshop going to be the right fit for me?
frequently asked questions
While the fine art process is typically used by those who shoot film the skills you will learn here will cross over to any medium of photography. The portfolio of images you will create will give you work that will set you apart from everyone else in your market and the film community.
We recommend the following hotels:
Quirk Hotel - 25 mins away
The Westin Richmond - 18 mins away
Hilton Garden Inn - 16 mins away
Hilton Richmond - 11 mins away
We recommend you bring about 18- 20 rolls of 120 film with a mixture between 800 and 400 speed, feel free to bring a digital option as well. A tripod will also be needed for shooting in low light environments and for flatlays but we will have an option available for you to use if you don't have one.
David Abel Photography and Lustre Theory have formed a unique relationship with their editorial campaigns and fashion work. You will have the benefit of their years of photography and creative direction experience. Plus, over 35 major publications between them and a new level of fine art design and artistic vision. Giving you exclusive access to David’s knowledge and Kristin’s décor and fashion work.
We are currently only accepting 20 attendees for this workshop.
There will be six hours of shooting time available each day with a mix of floral, model, and outdoor reception table.