PUGLIA
join the
retreat
October 10 - 15th
Join us in Puglia for the next KINEDIT retreat.
This is more than just a photography retreat — it’s a space to grow, create, and connect. Set in the heart of southern Italy, surrounded by olive trees, sun-soaked landscapes, and timeless charm, we’ll dive into 3 amazing creative shoots to elevate your portfolio, daily mentoring sessions, and the kind of community that feels like family.
Whether you’re looking to elevate your portfolio, reconnect with your creative voice, or simply be in a space where you’re seen and supported — this is for you.
And to make the experience even more special, we’ll be nourished by the incredible Jack Tonkin, an Australian chef who’s worked in some of the world’s top restaurants, including Bray in Australia and Ernst in Berlin.
Expect delicious, thoughtful meals that celebrate both the local ingredients and the moments we’ll share around the table.
Come be part of something unforgettable!
3x Portfolio Building Shoots
One of my favorite parts of KINEDIT is the editorial shoots. This October in Puglia, we’ll be doing three completely different shoots. We’re teaming up with an amazing stylist, makeup artist, or collaborating with a fashion brand to bring each shoot to life in a unique way. We’ll shoot in three stunning locations, each with a different model and vibe, so you go home with variety, depth, and something that feels really you.
What makes this special is that we keep the group intentionally small. That means every photographer gets their own time with the model, a space to direct, pose create and make something that’s truly yours.
We take care of all the production and creative direction, but before every shoot, we gather for a short creative briefing. It’s your time to check in with your vision. What do you want to say with these images? What kind of look are you drawn to?
Portraits, lifestyle, something more fashion-forward? There’s room here to bring your own tone and intention into the shoot.
This retreat isn’t just about making beautiful photos. It’s about making your kind of beautiful.
I can’t talk about KINEDIT without talking about community, because honestly, it’s the soul of this whole thing.
We’re not showing up as competitors or strangers. We’re showing up as creatives who care. People who know what it’s like to feel stuck, inspired, lost, excited, and everything in between and who want to grow together.
There’s just something that happens when you're in the same space….. talking, sharing meals, laughing late at night, celebrating each other’s wins. We go deep. We listen. We hold space. And somewhere along the way, something shifts.
We don’t leave as attendees.
We leave as friends. As family.
This kind of connection is rare, especially in an industry where we often work alone. But here, it’s alive. And it keeps growing, even long after the retreat is over.
The Community
Group Mentoring +
1-on-1 session
Every morning, we start the day with a mentoring session, and honestly, these are some of the most powerful moments of the retreat.
It’s not just about business or technique (though we talk about that too — pricing, clients, your niche, the industry). But we also go way deeper. We talk about your creative voice, your purpose, the kind of life you actually want to build with your art.
We share openly, ask big questions, and hold space for each other. You’ll have time to show your work, receive feedback, and even present your ideas. We learn from each other. We grow together.
And in addition to the group sessions, you'll also have a 1:1 moment — a dedicated time where we can review your work, website, client outreach, or anything else you want to focus on personally. It's your space to get tailored guidance and clarity.
Because photography isn’t just about taking pretty pictures. It’s about knowing what you want to say, and having the courage to go after it.
OUR LOCATION
Meet the Team
-
Charlotte Hagoort
Host and Mentor
-
Gareth Paget
Co-Host and Mentor
-
Jack Tonkin
Private Chef
-
Guest Speaker
will be announced soon
INVESTMENT
the
retreat
Apply to receive
the full retreat brochure
including the schedule, investment options.
A quick recap — what’s waiting for you in Puglia:
3 professionally produced (editorial) shoots
Private shoot time with each model to direct, pose, and create your own vision
Beautiful locations and authentic Italian settings
Styling, hair, and makeup by professional creatives
Daily group mentoring sessions (industry, pricing, purpose, creative identity)
Personal 1:1 session (portfolio, website, client outreach — wherever you want to grow)
Deep connection and creative community — we grow together
Time to reflect, dream, and create with intention
Accommodation, food, and transport during the retreat included
✈️ Fly into Bari or Brindisi Airport — we’ll help coordinate local transport once you’re confirmed.
TESTIMONIALS
from our community
- Crystle
I had a fantastic time at the retreat. While I was already drawn to Charlotte’s unique work, I did not expect to having such a transformative experience throughout the days. Charlotte understands the art of bringing out the best in each photographer; while we were all shooting in the same spaces, we were encouraged to express our individual voices and styles in every shoot. She showed us that there’s more than enough room for all of us in this creative space, as long as we embrace our own creativity with intention and seek out ways to collaborate with autenticity. I believe this is an important lesson for many creatives in the industry to take to heart.
Throughout the retreat, there was a balance between group sessions and 1:1 coaching/support. Time was divided between enhancing photography skills, gaining insight into running a photography business, refining workflows, and of course, shooting. Charlotte also scouted stunning and varied locations, and brought together an incredible team of top models, makeup artists, and stylists to give us a fully immersive (fashion) photography experience. The cherry on top was the beautiful traditional villa we stayed in, including a private chef and all logistics handled very well.
All in all, I’ll be forever grateful for this experience. In just five days, I not only improved my skills but also gained clarity about my ambitions and aspirations as a photographer. And then there were the new friendships, candlelit conversations, countless laughs, and unforgettable views of the Italian countryside.
Charlotte put a lot of love and thought into this retreat, and this was visible and felt throughout the time we spent together.
Thank you, Charlotte, for bringing us together. You made magic.
- Rasmus
The photo retreat in Tuscany (well, Umbria) far exceeded my expectations. It was exceptionally well-planned and executed, and I leave with a completely refreshed portfolio and a much clearer understanding of my own creative process.
Not only did I gain valuable insights into the fashion photography industry, but I also received practical, actionable tools for building a sustainable career – from finding clients to showcasing my work effectively.
Just as important, I experienced a powerful renewal of inspiration and a fresh perspective on photography itself – something that has already begun to influence how I see and create images.
Equally meaningful was the genuine sense of community that formed between both participants and facilitators. We built connections that go far beyond the retreat itself – friendships and creative support I hope will last for years to come.
Truly an unforgettable and career-shaping experience.
- Victoria
Signing up to this photography retreat was something I wanted to do to expand my photography skills and connections and I will say this retreat did that and more! I left with incredible friendships from all over the world as well as enhanced my portfolio with some of the most incredible sceneries and models.
Thank you Charlotte for connecting us all and making this retreat happen. I am forever grateful.
- Jessica
All I can say is… wow. I did not just uplevel my photography skills, I transformed the way I create.
At KINEDIT, I pushed myself to shoot in ways I would not normally try during client sessions. I experimented, took creative risks, and explored a side of my photography style I had not fully tapped into before. It helped me grow tremendously, not only technically, but creatively and strategically.
One of the biggest gifts of the workshop was having direct access to Charlotte. She answered questions I had always wondered about, especially around how to reach out to brands and build real connections in the industry. Having the opportunity to ask her specific questions in an intimate retreat setting was truly invaluable.
Charlotte took care of everything. She made sure each photographer had their moment to shine, from directing models to building the kind of portfolio that feels aligned with who they are.
Before this retreat, I knew I wanted to do something that would challenge me creatively, but I did not know how to carve out the time or space to do it for myself. Charlotte made that possible. She curated everything: models, styled shoots, stunning locations and used her incredible network to give us access to spaces we would never have been able to shoot in otherwise.
We experienced different lighting conditions, styling setups, and creative direction approaches. Charlotte did not walk us through her camera settings unless we asked (which I appreciated), but we observed her process and also learned from how the other photographers in the group worked. That alone was incredibly expansive. Seeing how differently everyone approached the same shoot opened my mind to new possibilities for my own work.
By the end, my portfolio felt stronger, more dynamic, and more aligned with my vision. I showed myself, and others, what I am truly capable of beyond what I had done before. I gained far more than I invested, and honestly, Charlotte could charge more for what she offers.
From the private chef to the seamless logistics, she thought of every detail. When unexpected challenges came up, like model cancellations, she handled them like a true professional: calm, grounded, and solution-focused. That alone was a masterclass in what it means to be a producer and leader on set.
She also brought in a guest speaker, who guided us through powerful mindset work around abundance, limiting beliefs, and building a life that feels rich beyond money. That session was a game-changer. It cracked open a deeper layer of personal growth I did not expect, and it is already shifting how I approach both life and business.
If you have been considering attending one of Charlotte’s retreats, I truly recommend it. Whether you are a brand photographer, fashion photographer, or someone looking to grow creatively, this experience will expand you in every way. I returned home with new skills, new clarity, and a portfolio that feels magnetic.
One of the most impressive parts of the retreat was the way Charlotte leveraged her relationships to open doors we could not have accessed on our own. From historic villas to dreamy, cinematic landscapes, every location felt like a scene from a movie. These were not your average shoot spots. Her personal connections made it possible for us to shoot in spaces that felt elevated, exclusive, and full of story each one adding something truly special to our portfolios. It was clear she had spent years nurturing these relationships, and it made all the difference in the quality of the experience.
Charlotte, thank you for believing in your vision and for creating such a safe, inspiring space for us to grow. You did not just teach us, you showed us what is possible. I am beyond grateful.