Fine Art Destination Workshop for Photographers & Wedding Planners
Who Should Join?
This workshop welcomes both wedding photographers and planners who want to elevate their skills, build a stunning destination portfolio, and connect with leading Croatian vendors. Whether you’re expanding into destination weddings or refining your luxury services, this is for you.
Date: 22. – 25. September 2025.
Location: Dubrovnik, Croatia
Venues: Lopud 1483 Monastery & Villa Čingrija
Availability: Open
Host: Globaly renowned photographer Maria Hedengren & Destination Wedding Planner YES I DU
Program
Day 1: Arrival & Immersion – Monday, 22 September 2025
From 17:00 | Welcome & Check-In
Meet your hosts, fellow creatives, and settle into the stunning surroundings.
18:00 – 19:00 | Golden Hour Editorial: “Whispers Before the Vow”
An ethereal engagement session that captures the quiet anticipation before the wedding—windswept,natural, and intimately styled at the water’s edge.
20:00 – 22:00 | Welcome Dinner at the hotel
A curated fine dining experience with breathtaking views over Dubrovnik.
Day 2: Creative Excellence – Tuesday, 23 September 2025
📍 Lopud 1483 Monastery – See location
08:30 – 09:00 | Morning Transfer by boat to Lopud Island
09:00 – 10:00 | Masterclass with Maria Hedengren
Concept description: What You’ll Learn from Maria’s Masterclass:
- Serving Luxury Clients with Clarity: What high-end couples truly value, and how to offer a seamless, thoughtful experience from inquiry to delivery.
- Elevating your Brand: To attract Luxury Clients and Destination Weddings.
- Pricing & Positioning: For High-End Destination Work.
- Collaborating with Planners, Venues, Stylists, and International Vendors.
- Creating work that feels deeply personal, even when shooting far from home.
09:00 – 10:00 | Luxury Wedding Planning Masterclass (YES I DU)
Designing unique experiences, timelines, and vendor collaborations for high-end destination weddings.
10:00 – 12:00 | Styled Editorial Shoot I (Couple 1)– Ceremony Scene
Curated setting showcasing a destination wedding ceremony, complete with model couple, floral design,and flat lay stations.
12:30 – 13:30 | Lunch
Relax and network in a serene, artistic setting.
16:00 – 18:00 | Styled Editorial Shoot II (Couple 1) – Reception Table & Golden Hour Portraits
Focus on storytelling, detail shots, and working with motion during sunset
19:00 – 20:00 | Transfer by boat to Dubrovnik
20:00 – 22:00 | Dinner
Day 3: Curation, Branding & Business – Wednesday, 24 September 2025
📍 Old Town Dubrovnik
06:00 – 07:30 | Sunrise Editorial Shoot in the Old Town Dubrovnik– “Awakening Light”
A calm, refined couple’s shoot on the villa grounds or nearby coastal locationFocus on soft, directional morning light, minimalism, and intimate emotionGuided by Maria with feedback on use of natural light, fine art color tones, and in-camera artistry.Perfect for building subtle, emotionally resonant portfolio images.
08:00 – 09:00 | Breakfast at the hotel
📍 Villa Čingrija
09:30 – 10:30 | Portfolio Reviews & 1:1 Feedback Sessions (with Maria Hedengren)
Bring your portfolio or workshop images for expert critique and insights.
09:30 – 10:30 | Masterclass: Portfolio, Pricing & Luxury Brand Strategy (with YES I DU)
- Portfolio Building: Showcasing what you want to attract
- Feedback: How to elevate your current portfolio
- Strategic Pricing & Brand Positioning: Tailored for the European luxury market
- Real Examples: Brand growth, visibility, and PR successes
10:30 – 12:00 | Sacred Moments (Couple 2) – Fine Art Ceremony & Detail Study
An artfully curated destination wedding ceremony setup featuring Couple 1, refined floral design, andsignature fine art styling. Includes guided stations for flat lays, bridal portraits, and ceremony compositions. Emphasis on capturing atmosphere, elegance, and layered visual storytelling.
12:30 – 13:30 | Light Lunch on the Terrace at villa Čingrija
16:00 – 18:00 | Evening Elegance (Couple 2) – Tablescape Styling & Golden Hour Moment
This session highlights the romance and detail of a luxury reception setting-complete with candlelittablescape, cake styling, and natural sunset backdrops. Attendees will explore movement, light transitions, and emotive portrait direction during the golden hour.
20:00 – 22:00 | Dinner
Day 4: Departure – Thursday, 25 September 2025
Morning Check-Out & Optional Farewell Coffee Meet-Up
Pricing
Early bird price: 1600,00 per person (till August 5th)
Regular price: 1800,00€ per person
non-refudndable deposit is 500 €.
NUMBER OF PEOPLE: Max 16 people per each workshop
Meet the Host
About Maria Hedengren
Maria Hedengren is an internationally recognised photographer with over 15 years of experience documenting destination weddings across Southern Europe and beyond. Her work stretches from luxury castles in Provence and Burgundy, to elegant Tuscan villas and sun-drenched masserias in Apulia, the palaces of Sintra, along the Greek islands, in Dubrovnik’s old town, on the shores of Thailand and Zanzibar, and in the timeless serenity of Kyoto—each place offering its own rhythm, palette, and poetry.
With more than 300 weddings documented and a recent recognition as one of Europe’s Top 30 Wedding Photographers by WedVibes, Maria brings a deep well of experience, sensitivity, and intention.
Maria’s signature style reflects her solid background in photographic art, urban design, and architecture. Her imagery blends strong composition with beautiful light and flattering expressions. Her Master’s studies in Architecture deeply influence her perception of space, texture, interaction of light, and perspective; an influence that resonates in her appreciation for quality and design.
Art is a reflex, composition as intuitive as breathing.
What You’ll Learn from Maria’s Masterclass:
- Serving Luxury Clients with Clarity: What high-end couples truly value, and how to offer a seamless, thoughtful experience from inquiry to delivery.
- Elevating your Brand to attract Luxury Clients and Destination Weddings.
- Pricing & Positioning for High-End Destination Work.
- Collaborating with Planners, Venues, Stylists, and International Vendors.
- Creating work that feels deeply personal, even when shooting far from home.
Who This Is For:
This session is for photographers who want to:
- Step into the luxury market with confidence and authenticity
- Attract destination weddings and elevate the way they present their brand
- Refine their client experience to feel thoughtful, seamless, and high-end
- Build deeper trust with planners and creative teams abroad
- Create emotionally resonant work, no matter the location or setting
Whether you’re just starting to book destination weddings or looking to elevate your current process for high-end clients, this session will offer clarity, inspiration, and practical direction.
If you’re ready to grow your brand, deepen your craft, and experience Croatia through a luxury lens, we’d love to welcome you.
FAQ
Do I need to be a professional?
Yes, this workshop is tailored for professionals or advanced creatives looking to grow in the destination wedding market.
Will I leave with usable portfolio content?
Absolutely — every setup is curated to reflect real luxury weddings, with publication-ready styling.
Is accommodation included?
Yes. We organize and book accommodation for all attendees in carefully selected locations close to the workshop venues. You’ll be staying in beautiful, comfortable spaces that allow you to fully immerse yourself in the experience.
Are meals and local transport included?
Yes. All workshop-related meals and transportation within Dubrovnik — including boat transfers to Lopud Island — are included in your registration fee. Airport transfers are not included, but we’ll share detailed travel guidance to make your arrival easy.
Can I bring a +1 or extend my stay?
Absolutely. If you’d like to bring a guest or stay longer in Croatia before or after the workshop, let us know when booking and we’ll help coordinate accommodation options for you.
Is this workshop only for photographers?
The workshop is designed for both wedding photographers and planners. Many of the sessions will focus on collaboration, publication, and understanding each other’s creative process.
Will I leave with portfolio content I can use?
Yes. Each styled shoot is professionally curated for publication-quality results, so you’ll leave with a standout portfolio that reflects a luxury destination wedding aesthetic.
Will I learn how to get my work published?
Yes — this is one of our key topics. You’ll hear from professionals with proven results and receive step-by-step guidance on how to style, shoot, and submit work for online and print publication.
Can I attend solo?
Yes! Many attendees come alone — it’s a great opportunity to connect, collaborate, and build meaningful industry relationships.