Workshop & Retreat Experiences
editorial
Whether you’re looking to learn more about posing & lighting, or to simply level up your photography, our luxury editorial workshops might be the right fit for you. With small group sizes and timed individual shooting time for each member, our workshops are organized and fair, with no crawling over each other to fight for your shot. Explore below the upcoming workshops and see which might be the best fit for you. Each workshop is limited to about 10 guests so don’t hesitate to book a seat quickly as they usually sell out fast.
FILM, STYLING & COUTURE
Editorial Workshops
& Retreats
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.
AUGUST 19 - 21, 2024 | DOVER HALL RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
DOVER HALL RETREAT
PAST WORKSHOPS:
Get lost with us in an elegant dream. A day full of luxurious details, flowing florals and elevated fashions. Fine Art meets still life in this new Lustre Theory design set against the dramatic European details of Dover Hall Estate. Exquisite table styling that include Herend porcelain, billowing blooms and rich linen patterns. Colors of gold, blush, green and plum. Couture fashions that will help push your photography portfolio to the next level.
EDITORIAL WORKSHOP EXPERIENCE
MAY 9TH, 2023 | DOVER HALL
ENGLISH REVERIE
Transformation through movement. Growth through change. A soft and elegant design based on the world of ethereal bridal and influenced by the transformative art of ballet. Colors of golden yellow, lavender and light blues will carry through a climbing indoor floral installation and garden inspired luxe table decor. Featuring touches of butterfly imagery within the details and layered textures. Set against the blue gray walls of Salubria.
EDITORIAL WORKSHOP EXPERIENCE
SEPTEMBER 20TH, 2023 | SALUBRIA
GARDEN OF DANCE
Frolic with us in fine art decor and fashions redolent of opulent dreams. A photography and styling workshop influenced by texture, color and completely unique design. Inspired by a merging of old European aesthetics sprinkled with modern elements. A new vision of fine art and still life coming together with flowing floral and couture. Drawing from both the old and the new and the dream state where they come together.
Opulence of Dreams
EDITORIAL WORKSHOP EXPERIENCE
JUNE 27TH, 2022 | The Perry Belmont
"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!
For one, as a seasoned photographer, I'm always concerned that I won't get much out of workshops, or that the educators will be heavy-handed (I know what I want and that's great imagery) but I found David to be an incredible educator - David is the sort of man with a calm presence and he is a very deep pool. His knowledge of technical mastery, business acumen, publication experience and his helpful advice can benefit even the most experienced in the field. Not to mention - everything he photographs is exquisite and the dignity and radiance he brings to his subjects is just beyond.
Lustre Theory? Well her work translates the beautiful to the absolutely transcendent. She has an eye for weaving masterful stories with details that simply melt your heart. I would travel to the Arctic to work with Kristen. Once you've seen her breathtaking work in person, you'll long to go back to the magical worlds she creates. I would do this workshop again a dozen times and you should too!"
"David and Kristin work together seamlessly to bring you all of the tools to deliver elaborate yet tasteful imagery for your portfolio."
"As soon as David and Kristin dropped the sign-up for their debut workshop, I dropped everything to make sure I was there! David and Kristin work together seamlessly to bring you all of the tools to deliver elaborate yet tasteful imagery for your portfolio.
David's instruction on shooting film indoors and the practice I received at this workshop increased my confidence to do this fearlessly on a wedding day or doing a session. Kristin's styling and editorial/publication tips helped raise my portfolio and prepare me mentally for what it would look like to work on the editorial side of things within my career. To this day, these are some of my favorite images I've ever captured and they truly upleveled not only my portfolio, but me as a photographer!"