A Fine Art Photographers’ Luxury Workshop in

Loire Valley, France 

May 7, 2025

Join worldwide Event Planner Amanda Virga of AMV Weddings, alongside globally-renowned photographer, Kristin Sweeting, for a restorative retreat in the captivating region of the Loire Valley at the stunning Chateau Challain.

This luxury fine-art photographers’ retreat aims to present a select number of attendees with a 1 day intensive masterclass on business development, style, photographic technique, visual culture, and purposeful branding. The workshop balances hands-on learning and classroom time in order to help you create an inspiring portfolio, develop clarity of aesthetic direction, book more of your ideal clients, and build a profitable and resilient photography business.

The workshop is open to digital, hybrid, and film photographers as well as videographers. On a case by case basis we are also accepting other creatives interested in joining us for the experience.

An inspiring experience that will allow you to unwind, reconnect to your purpose and revamp your brand

2

luxurious shoots with a real model couple & fashion editorial featuring top industry suppliers, designer gowns & the breathtaking settings of one of the most luxurious and iconic venues of the Loire Valley

✔ Curate an inspiring portfolio that elevates your brand & attracts your ideal client

✔ Develop clarity of aesthetic direction & position yourself powerfully within the market

2

days onsite at the chateau featuring a beautiful welcome dinner, overnight in the chateau, interactive workshop, classroom time & networking experiences.

✔ Receive invaluable tools & guidance from globally-renowned photographer Kristin Sweeting

✔ Discover confidence in your photographic voice and completely transform your business

✔ Connect with an intimate group of 21 peers (max).

What’s Included

  • 1 high-end, luxury styled editorial shoot with a bride & groom model at Chateau Challain

  • 2 fashion oriented editorial capsule looks with a female model at Chateau Challain

  • 1 Full day workshop featuring classroom time, interactive learning & networking experiences

  • Lunch and Soft Drinks

  • Optional accommodation at Chateau Challain or the adjacent Coach House

    • Optional Welcome Gala Dinner on the evening of May 6th

    *Assistance coordinating transport to/from airport or train station is available upon request

    (additional cost applies)

Our previous attendees have been featured in Vogue, Style Me Pretty, Magnolia Rouge, WedLuxe, Wedding Chicks, Wedding Sparrow and many more notable publications

The Location

Chateau Challain

HOST VENUE & SHOOT Location

Have you ever dreamt of escaping the ordinary and embarking on a dream elopement in a French chateau? Imagine exchanging vows amidst breathtaking scenery, surrounded by timeless elegance and impeccable service. At Chateau Challain, a meticulously restored 19th-century gem nestled in the heart of the Loire Valley, your fairytale elopement becomes a reality.

Immerse yourself in the romance of a fairytale castle wedding at Chateau Challain. Exchange your vows in the idyllic gardens, surrounded by blooming flowers and the gentle whispers of nature. Dance the night away in the opulent ballroom adorned with sparkling chandeliers and lavish decor. Every moment will be steeped in romance, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

We have 75 acres with forests and fields, also proper French gardens. So we have lots of paths. We have a horse-and-carriage people can rent.

VIEW VENUE - chateauchallain.com | @chateauchallain

Venue Images by: Catherine Chuang & Flavio Bandiera

Paris Capsule Shoot (optional)

FRIDAY May 9th
Additional Fee: €1,150

After our workshop at Chateau Challain, our participants will have the option to travel to Paris for additional capsule shoot! To complete your stay in France, join us in one of the most romantic cities in the world for a fashion oriented capsule shoot with 2 bride & groom model couples just after sunrise on Friday morning! We will arrange an optional group dinner upon arrival to the city on the 8th and you will be able to book the accommodation of your choice that evening.

*Cost of the shoot Friday morning, transport during the shoot (from the meeting point to the ending point), and Brunch is included.

Cost of other transport, meals and accommodations are not included. 

Meet The Hosts

Amanda Virga

Founder of AMV Retreats, Worldwide Wedding Planner

Amanda Virga is a worldwide wedding planner who has over a decade of experience in the event industry, executing nearly 600 weddings during her career and 20+ successful retreats to date. While based between NYC and London, she has also worked on weddings across the globe, over 4 continents from Spain and Tuscany to Thailand and Bali. Her approach is unique, not only does she have a passion for creating flawless events but she is also committed to creating +aluable experiences that bring industry professionals together, collaborating with some of the best in the industry, and designing breathtaking editorial projects. Her weddings and editorial work have been featured on Good Morning America, Vogue, BRIDES, Style Me Pretty, WedLuxe, The Knot, Junebug, Wedding Chicks, and more.

Amanda is an avid traveler having visited 65 countries, she also spent an entire year traveling the world in 2018 while immersing herself into the wedding industry in each of her destinations. Her adventurous and worldly spirit is what inspired the creation of AMV retreats, a one of a kind experience connecting wedding creatives across the globe. When not traveling or planning events, she is usually found snuggling up with her chihuahua, enjoying a glass of prosecco or practicing yoga. She is a firm believer that achieving a good life balance is the ultimate key to success.

Kristin Sweeting

Nashville Based international Wedding Photographer

Kristin is an award winning international photographer with over 14 years of experience. Her photography work has taken her to over 20 different countries as she dives in deep with her clients to truly capture them with authenticity and show their connection with each other, their friends, and their family.  She’s had work featured in top wedding magazines and blogs, was voted one of the top wedding photographers in the South by Southern Weddings Magazine, and gives back to photographers and creatives who want to grow their businesses through retreats, workshops, speaking, and coaching.

She founded Dangerous Creatives- a community based around education, coaching, and experiences that help creatives grow the business side of what they do while still having fun and connecting with others. The Dangerous Creatives Podcast dives in to conversations about the great and challenging aspects of working for yourself and connects with others through authenticity, stories, and hard earned wisdom. She consults and mentors with a variety of small businesses and loves seeing creative business owners thriving!

Retreat Schedule

*Subject to change
TUESDAY  May 6th

Arrival/Check-in (from 3pm)

Welcome Dinner (from 6pm)

WEDNESDAY may 7th

8-9am Breakfast

9-10am Morning Classroom Session

10:30am-4:30pm Styled Shoot at Chateau Challain

 (Break for Lunch 1-2:30pm)

4:30pm Event Concludes

Option to Travel back to Paris this evening or Stay another night in the Chateau / Coach house 

THURSDAY MAY 8th

6:30pm: Optional Networking Dinner in Paris

FRIDAY May 9th

6:30am-10:30am: Optional Sunrise Shoot In Paris

10:30-12:30pm: Networking Brunch

Frequently Asked Questions

DO I NEED TO BE A FILM OR DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHER TO ATTEND?

Both digital and film photographers as well as videographers are welcome at this workshop! 

HOW WILL THE STYLED SHOOTS WORK?

The styled shoots will be designed with over-the-top floral installations, featuring luxury brands and professional bride & groom models. The shoots will be split into 3 groups that will work in shifts with the models, and each set-up to ensure a small group atmosphere with one-on-one attention and a very smooth shooting process. Our host photographer will be available during the shoots to guide you and assist with techniques/ hands on learning.

WILL I BE ABLE TO SUBMIT THE SHOOTS TO BLOGS?

Absolutely. We will provide you with tips and best practice guidelines to help you get published. You are free to submit wherever you’d like, there are no publication delays for our one day workshops! Our attendees have been featured in endless publications including Vogue, Style Me Pretty, WedLuxe, and Wedding Chicks.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER COSTS I NEED TO CONSIDER?

While you have the option to add accommodation and the welcome dinner to your package, your flight and airport transport are not included. However the location is easily accessible by Train from Paris. We will assist in coordinating group transport to/from the airport or train station (additional fees apply). We recommend taking the train from Paris to Angers (90 minute train) and then we will arrange group transport from that station (40 minute drive). Otherwise you can easily rent a car and drive from Paris (3.5 hour drive) or fly into Nantes (closest airport, less than an hour away). Everything else is all inclusive from the time you arrive Monday evening to the time you depart Thursday morning!

ARE PLUS ONES ALLOWED?

We always welcome plus ones on our retreat so you can experience this beautiful country with your loved ones and possibly extend your trip to include further travel in the region! There are reduced rates available for your guest to join us for just the accommodation and meal portion of the retreat. Please inquire directly for more information.

IS THERE A REDUCED COST FOR A ROOM SHARE?

Accommodation is offered on a Shared or Private Basis. Room types are limited and are available on a first come, first serve basis upon booking. Please inquire directly for more information.

Investment

WELCOME GALA DINNEr, OVERNIGHT & 1 day WORKSHOP PACKAGE: €3,400 

ONE DAY WORKSHOP ONLY PRICING: €2,950

*The One day Workshop is valid for arrivals at 9am and will include the classroom session, lunch, soft drinks and full editorial shoot. No other meals, transport, or accommodation are included

* Split into 3 payments (Payment plans available upon request) 

* Accommodation Included in the Overnight package is a private room in the adjacent Coach House. Chateau Upgrades and Room shares are available upon request.

* All payments are non-refundable. Pricing is inclusive of VAT

 Photography by: Lyndi Ruth, Taliferro Photography, Konstantyn Zakhariy, Sara Cooper, Carlos Hernandez, Amy Mulder, & Andreas Georgiou

Event Cover Image by: Catherine Chuang