THE PARIS RETREAT
An exclusive in-person inspirational and lifestyle retreat hosted by Alex Strohl.
Learn how to build a meaningful and successful career
Four days in Paris
Experience Paris through Alex’s eyes.
The best bookstores, independent photo stores, specialty coffee shops, and carefully curated niche spots. Spend your days exploring the energy of the city, then retreat to moments of calm in a countryside hotel just 45 minutes from Paris.
In-Person Training
During those 4 days in Paris, Alex invites you into his way of seeing. Through daily walks, curated locations, and intimate group conversations, you will refine your eye, your voice, and your creative direction. Expect slow mornings, thoughtful critiques, meaningful exchanges, and a week shaped as much by atmosphere as by ambition.
Like Minded Connections
With the small group size you will not only have plenty of face to face time with Alex, but will also be learning alongside other like-minded photographers. The connections and friendships created will last a lifetime.
Retreat Dates
November 2-5 2026
Group Size
Max 8 people
Investment
From $3800
Apply here to join the first Paris retreat
What is the Paris retreat?
The Paris Retreat is a 4-night lifestyle photography experience set between the energy of the city and the calm of the countryside. Based at Barn, just 45 minutes from Paris, this retreat brings together like-minded creatives for a week shaped by rhythm, aesthetics, and intention.
Alongside a small, carefully curated group, Alex will personally guide you through a selection of his favorite bookstores, photo shops, cafés, and niche spaces across Paris. From early morning light in quiet streets to intimate interiors and thoughtful portraits, each day is designed around real, lived moments rather than staged scenarios.
Mornings may begin slowly at Barn, surrounded by nature, horses, and open fields. Days unfold in Paris, immersed in texture, movement, and culture. Evenings return to the calm of the countryside for shared dinners, editing sessions, and conversations about storytelling, creative direction, and building a body of work that feels personal and refined.
Taking place in early November, this retreat captures Paris in its most cinematic season. Crisp air, softer light, golden leaves scattered across the streets, and quieter cafés create a more intimate rhythm in the city. The summer crowds have faded, leaving space for slower mornings, deeper conversations, and more intentional shooting.
What will I learn?
This retreat is about slowing down.
Set between Paris and the quiet countryside of Barn, these four nights are designed as a creative pause. There is no pressure to perform, no obligation to shoot for clients, and no structured commercial productions. You are free to photograph as little or as much as you want, whether that means wandering alone through Paris with your camera, capturing subtle moments at Barn, or simply observing without shooting at all.
The focus of the week is creative direction, personal clarity, and reconnection.
Through group conversations, good coffees, shared meals, and one-on-one time with Alex, you will explore:
– How to refine your visual taste and creative sensibility
– How to build a body of work that feels aligned with your lifestyle
– How to find inspiration in everyday environments rather than dramatic destinations
– How to create from a place of calm rather than pressure
– How to approach your next creative chapter with more intention
There may be moments of shooting in Paris or at Barn, but always organically, at your own pace.
The goal is to leave not only inspired, but more connected to yourself, your rhythm, and the kind of life and creative practice you truly want to build.
Our Basecamp
Our basecamp is a warm countryside house at the heart of the French nature, where long tables, fireplaces, and open fields set the rhythm of our days. After full days exploring Paris or creating together, we return to calm, space, and fresh air, just 45 minutes from the city.
Inside, we gather in bright rooms for morning sessions, conversations, and editing time. The atmosphere is simple, comfortable, and grounded, designed to help you focus without pressure.
Outside, horses move quietly through the paddocks, forest paths stretch endlessly, and the estate invites you to slow down. The Barn offers the rare balance of city energy and countryside stillness, a place to reset, think clearly, and create with intention.
All Inclusive Experience
Once you arrive at the lodge, the entire itinerary has been custom tailored to give you the best possible experience. All lodging, meals, and of course world class education from Alex is included. With all of the details taken care of you get to sit back and enjoy, taking time in a peaceful environment to digest all of the learnings from the retreat.
French Cuisine…
Food is an essential part of the experience. Each day, seasonal and locally sourced ingredients are transformed into generous, thoughtful meals that follow the rhythm of the land. Dinners are shared family style around long wooden tables, encouraging real conversations and unhurried connection.
As the November air turns crisp, evenings unfold by the fireplace. The fire becomes a natural gathering point, a place to debrief the day, share ideas, reflect quietly, or simply enjoy the warmth after time spent in the city.
More than just a place to stay, Le Barn becomes our anchor throughout the days, a warm and grounding space to return to, where creativity slows down and meaningful connections can truly take root.
Cortado O’clock
As with any of our retreats, you can expect the highest level of coffee experience — both espresso and slow bar will be available at different times of the day to unwind or to learn how to pull your first shot.
What’s on the itinerary?
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The group arrives to Hotel Freina to settle into the accommodations and explore the grounds
Alex will host the group for a welcome dinner in what will be the first of many memorable culinary experiences
After dinner there will be a campfire for everyone to introduce themselves and get to know each other before the first full day kicks off
After getting to know the group, and enjoying post dinner / campfire drinks and conversation, the group will return to their rooms for the some much needed rest before the stoke continues on the first full day
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After a long day of travel, we will start the first day with cortados, coffee, and a sencha tea bar with Alex as well as a full service breakfast buffet
Alex will start the week with a retreat welcome intro - this is where you learn what to expect and how to best utilize your time in Italy
In person “class” will continue throughout the first half of the day, taking breaks to enjoy lunch, let the knowledge permeate, and of course enjoy cortados, a Strohl Retreat ritual
In the afternoon we will head into the field on a hike for the first of many shoots
We’ll have dinner on the go to allow us to shoot the best light possible before returning to the hotel after dark for editing and drinks
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A sunrise hike / shoot will be available for those interested
Of course we’ll start the day with cortados, coffee and a sencha tea bar with Alex as well as a full service breakfast buffet
In person “class” will continue throughout the first half of the day, taking breaks to enjoy lunch, let the knowledge permeate, and of course enjoy cortados, a Strohl Retreat ritual
In the afternoon we will head back into the field on a hike for more shooting
We’ll have dinner on the go to allow us to shoot the best light possible before returning to the hotel after dark for editing and drinks
-
A sunrise hike / shoot will be available for those interested
Of course we’ll start the day with cortados, coffee and a sencha tea bar with Alex as well as a full service breakfast buffet
In person “class” will continue throughout the first half of the day, taking breaks to enjoy lunch, let the knowledge permeate, and of course enjoy cortados, a Strohl Retreat ritual
In the afternoon we will head back into the field on a hike for more shooting
We’ll have dinner on the go to allow us to shoot the best light possible before returning to the hotel after dark for editing and drinks
-
A sunrise hike / shoot will be available for those interested
Of course we’ll start the day with cortados, coffee and a sencha tea bar with Alex as well as a full service breakfast buffet
In person “class” will continue throughout the first half of the day, taking breaks to enjoy lunch, let the knowledge permeate, and of course enjoy cortados, a Strohl Retreat ritual. Alex will provide parting wisdom and direction for the path ahead
In the afternoon we will head back into the field on a hike for more shooting
We’ll have dinner on the go to allow us to shoot the best light possible before returning to the hotel after dark for editing and drinks
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After a final breakfast with the group and some bittersweet goodbyes, everyone will depart from Hotel Freina
Additional details
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There are two options for accommodation the workshop, base on a private or shared room. The investment for a shared room is $5900 and a private room is $6500.
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We can split the payments of the retreat in several installments upon request.
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The workshop is limited to 8 individuals. Apply by filling out the form here. If you are selected to attend the retreat you will receive notification within one week of applying. You will then be given instructions to make your deposit to secure your spot in the workshop.
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We want to ensure that everyone at the workshop has the best experience possible. By asking a few simple questions we ensure all attendees have similar objectives, experience levels in their photography, and are ready to take the retreat seriously.
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You will experience the Dolomites with Alex as your guide, many of the lesser know locations he has explored over the years. He can't wait to show it to you!
Alex will personally be mentoring and instructing your throughout the experience, and help you step up your photography.
You will learn exclusive information and industry secrets that Alex has spent years gathering and putting in to action.
You will share the week with awesome individuals who have the same passions and motivations as you. This one-of-a-kind opportunity that will create both long-lasting professional connections and personal friendships.
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To maximize your time with this workshop, please bring the following:
DSLR/Mirrorless Camera body with at least one lens
Laptop computer for editing and for note taking if desired (or a pen and notebook)
A selection of your five favorite images for review and critique
Appropriate clothing and gear for hiking long stretches over varied terrain, and spending time outside in varying weather during the field shoots. This includes good hiking shoes or boots, a waterproof jacket, a hat and gloves, and a warm layer if it gets cold late evening.
A more detailed packing list will be provided to you before the retreat
Good vibes and a willingness to learn
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Airfare or transportation to/from the Dolomites
Lunch on arrival day or lunch and dinner on departure day
Alcoholic beverages, or snacks/drinks outside of meal times
Travel Insurance (highly recommended)
Any personal activities or adventures you choose to partake in outside of the itinerary
Special Considerations: If you have any dietary restrictions please let us know in advance and we will accomoadate to the best of our ability.
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To reserve your spot we do require a $1000 deposit. That deposit is only refundable for 48 hours after booking, less the fees incurred.
Once you pay for the rest of your trip you can receive the following refunds on the rest of the trip (deposits and fees not included):
More than 60 days before the trip = 100% refund.
Between 60 and 30 days before the trip = 50% refund.
Less than 30 days before trip departure = 0% refund.
We highly recommend trip insurance.
We may cancel a trip prior to the start date for reasons including (but not limited to) insufficient participation, weather conditions, or other instances that may impede trip operations. In this case, you will receive a refund for funds paid towards the trip cost. You will not receive any payment for any hotels, flights, or transportation booked before or after the trip.
A legal language version of our trip cancellation is this...
We reserve the right to cancel any trip, at any time, prior to the scheduled departure date for any reason whatsoever, including without limitation, insufficient participation, local weather conditions or logistical problems that, in our sole judgment, may impede trip operations. In the event we cancel your trip for any reason whatsoever other than a force majeure event, your sole and exclusive remedy shall be the refund of all payments we received from you as of the date of cancellation. Alex Strohl Studio payment of the refund shall release us from any and all other or further liability in any way related to such cancellation. We may make payments to our suppliers (permits, transportation companies, etc.) far in advance of the scheduled trip departure date. Accordingly, if a trip is cancelled due to a force majeure event (e.g. acts of God, war, labor strikes, earthquake, flooding or any other cause beyond our control), we will undertake commercially reasonable efforts to promptly refund the portion of any amounts paid by you that have, in turn, not already been advanced to suppliers. In addition, we will use commercially reasonable efforts to recover and refund to you the balance of your payment amounts that were advanced to suppliers, less our expenses, if any, of such recovery, as promptly as possible. However, we do not guarantee you recovery of any portion of advance payments made to our suppliers. We are not responsible for, and you hereby release and forever discharge us from, any expense or cost incurred by you in preparing for or arising or resulting from a cancelled trip. If you cancel your trip, we will refund your payment as follows: (a) cancellation 60 days or more prior to trip departure – 100% of your payment will be refunded, with the exception of the deposit amount and any transaction fees; (b) cancellation between 60 - 30 days prior to trip departure - 50% of your payment will be refunded, with the exception of the deposit amount and any transaction fees; or (c) cancellation less than 30 days prior to departure, or during trip – no refund will be made.
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We're here with answers. Reach out anytime to evan@alexstrohl.com
What do past students have to say?
We highly recommend you read testimonials of past workshop students below. While the instruction and mentorship from Alex will help you immensely on your photographic journey, being surrounded by such an incredible group of like minded individuals so eager to learn and advance is a huge plus. The environment that kind of group energy creates is unmatched.
This retreat is now fully booked
Getting there
The retreat will be based in the Dolomites, in northern Italy. If traveling internationally, the easiest route is to fly into Venice, Verona, or Milan, then take a train or drive to our base. A group shuttle will be available on the arrival and departure days from a designated meeting point, which will be confirmed closer to the retreat.
If you prefer to rent a car, this will give you more flexibility to explore the area before or after the retreat. The roads in the Dolomites are winding and scenic, so if you’re prone to motion sickness, or are known to backseat drive (!), this may be something to consider.
We’re happy to advise on the best travel options—please keep us informed of your plans, and we’ll assist where we can.
