Through intimate group conversations and dedicated one-to-one mentoring with photographers Carla Coulson and Loc Boyle, we'll help you look at your work from new perspectives, discover the stories that make your photography unique and find the confidence to create the images you truly want to make.
Welcome to
Storyteller
Inspired by the tradition of the great artists' salons where for centuries, artists, writers, poets, musicians, and thinkers came together to exchange ideas. To share unfinished work, challenge one another's perspectives and find inspiration in the company of kindred spirits.
STORYTELLER is our invitation to rediscover the power of gathering, conversation and meaningful creative connection in places that have a strong significance to me.
I am at a stage in my life where whatever I do, it needs to be heartfelt, authentic, simple, joyful, and designed to delight.
— Carla Coulson
Come with your photographs, your unfinished projects, your frustrations, your dreams, your questions and your curiosity.
Four days and five nights to reconnect with your creativity in a beautiful setting dedicated to your creativity.
Six photographers only, two mentors, and the possibility of seeing your work and yourself in an entirely new light.
Leave with fresh ideas, enthusiasm, and insight running through your veins, meaningful connections, renewed confidence, new skills, resources, and a story only you can tell.
Imagine six photographers and two mentors gathered around a table in a beautiful residence, away from your busy life and obligations, with everything taken care of.
Carving space and time in your life for what you deeply care about.
Photographic prints scattered across the table. Notebooks open. Images of your photography and a community and connection we all long for.
Everyone will bring their creativity to the table. Conversations about the images we love, the stories we long to tell, the work we struggle with, the things that hold us back and the creative dreams we haven't quite found the courage to pursue. Your wish list of what you want to achieve and a team to help you. You will walk away with excitement, clear direction, new skills and resources and the next step or project you want to create.
There will be laughter, thoughtful questions, honest feedback, and the freedom to explore ideas without judgement. Four days that have been slowed down for you to rest and reset, reconnect to your passion and vision, so that you can not only think about the things you want but time to feel, reflect and imagine. Something that just doesn’t happen at home alone.
Why a Salon?
There was a time when some of the most exciting and original ideas in art, literature and culture weren't born in classrooms, conferences, or institutions.
The never seen before, the unknown, came alive in intimate drawing rooms, around candlelit tables, over long lunches or dinners and glasses of wine.
These gatherings were known as salons.
Conversation, curiosity, creative exchange and the extraordinary possibilities that emerge when people with different experiences, knowledge and ways of seeing find themselves in the same room.
The magic of the salon wasn't simply in the art.
It was in the people, the conversations and the knowledge that creativity flourishes when we come together to create the space to think, to question, for the unknown to arise, to experiment, to be heard and to belong.
We believe it's time to bring a little of that spirit back.
Time to be seen, heard, and understood.
With just six participants, everyone has a place at the table, in an inspiring environment where everything is taken care of.
Everyone has a voice.
Everyone has a unique vision, an artistic story worth exploring.
We won't be teaching you to see the world like us.
We'll be helping you discover what it means to see the world more fully as yourself. And we will see the alchemy of a handpicked group and the magic of the unknown that will come to life.
Because sometimes the greatest creative breakthroughs don't happen behind a camera.
They happen across a table.
In a conversation.
At the moment someone sees something in your work that you haven't yet recognised in yourself.
Or when you find yourself surrounded by people who understand your creative struggles, celebrate your discoveries and remind you why you fell in love with photography in the first place.
What if the next chapter of your photography begins with a conversation?
Perhaps you've reached a point where your photography feels stuck. You have an unfinished project, hundreds of images on a hard drive, a bunch of unrelated photos that you don’t understand what connects them or how to move forward. You can’t understand why you have all these ideas and they simply remain ideas.
Perhaps you're technically accomplished but something is missing. The photos feel boring or you are uninspired to keep taking them the way you currently do. Maybe you are in a photography business and burned out and want to rediscover your passion and reason why you got into photography in the first place.
You may be great at landscapes and want to grow, push yourselves into a new area. You may have an artistic story you've wanted to tell for years, but don't know where to begin.
Or perhaps you want to step out of the ‘echo chamber’ of trying to figure it all out on your own and long to be surrounded by people who understand how much photography matters to you.
Whatever brings you here, we want to hear about it.
STORYTELLER is built around YOUR needs, wants, and desires, and we help you realise them.
The belief that sometimes the most extraordinary creative breakthroughs happen when we are given the time, space and encouragement to see ourselves and our work differently.
A question asked at the right moment.
A photograph seen through someone else's eyes.
An honest conversation over coffee.
A walk through a city that makes you notice something you've never noticed before.
Or the simple realisation that the story you've been searching for has been with you all along.
There will be time to wander Venice's quiet streets, follow the winter light, make photographs and discover new ways of seeing.
And there will be something increasingly precious in our fast-moving world.
The Storyteller Experience
Four days. Five nights. Six Photographers. A new way of seeing.
Our days will have a gentle rhythm, with a loose structure that allows us to take care of your individual needs. Balancing meaningful mentoring, group conversations, image-making, creative exploration and time for yourself to take photographs, rest, relax, contemplate, eat, sleep and connect in a beautiful environment.
There will be structure, but also spontaneity. Space for unexpected discoveries, long conversations and the sharing of thoughts, knowledge, resources and ideas that need time to unfold.
We'll also encourage you to create your own personal narrative of the place we're in, seen through your eyes, as we move through the days.
ARRIVAL EVENING — Coming Home to Ourselves
The beginning of your artistic story.
Arrive at our home away from home and settle in.
In the evening, we'll gather for drinks and a welcome dinner.
This is our chance to meet, share a little of our stories and begin getting to know the people we'll spend the next four days with.
No formal presentations. Just genuine connection and authenticity.
The pleasure of finding yourself in a beautiful place, amongst people who share your passion.
DAY ONE — What Moves You
Each participant will bring to the table a project, a selection of photographs of their work, and an intention. You'll have the opportunity to talk about where you are in your creative journey and what matters to you.
We begin around the table with one of the most important discussions we can have as creatives.
What are the things that move you?
Move you to tears, move you to grab your camera, jump on a plane, take a closer look, or simply smile and laugh.
Through conversation, we'll explore the connection between our personal stories, the images we long to make, the things we're attracted to over and over again, our heroes and the photographs we make.
What draws us to certain subjects? Why do some images move us while others leave us cold? What are the themes that keep appearing in our work, perhaps without us even realising?
Together, we'll begin identifying the ideas, emotions and personal experiences that could become the foundation of a more meaningful body of work.
The afternoon brings time to explore our environment with fresh eyes, guided by creative prompts that encourage curiosity rather than perfection.
The intention: To begin recognising your unique creative voice, what moves you, the missed opportunities, the things holding you back or frustrating you.
DAY TWO — You Already Have an Artistic Story Worth Telling
Discovering your unique creative voice and the stories only you can tell.
Your most meaningful work doesn't begin with trying to be different. It begins with recognising that you already have an artistic story, what makes you uniquely you, and leaning into a place you may never have dared to go.
Through personal mentoring, we'll explore the experiences, passions, influences and ways of seeing that shape your photography. Together, we'll look at your images with fresh eyes, uncover recurring themes and help you recognise the artistic voice that may already be emerging.
Today is about observation, intuition and the art of meaningful image-making.
We'll explore how to move beyond the obvious photograph to create images filled with atmosphere, emotion and intention.
How can you use light, gesture, colour, composition and the unexpected to tell a more compelling story?
How do you recognise the moments that speak to you?
How do you trust your instincts rather than constantly looking for approval?
With Carla and Loc bringing their individual perspectives, we'll experiment with new ways of seeing, interpreting and responding to the world around us.
At the heart of the day is you and your photography.
Through dedicated one-to-one mentoring, we'll focus on the areas where you need the most help. Whether it's a technical challenge that's holding you back, finding confidence photographing on the streets, developing a personal project or answering those burning questions you've never had the opportunity to ask.
Whether we're looking through your images together, out taking photographs or working through a creative roadblock, our intention is to meet you where you are and help you move forward.
Sometimes all it takes is a fresh perspective, a little encouragement and the courage to step outside your comfort zone to discover a whole new way of seeing.
The intention: To recognise the value of your own artistic voice, overcome what's holding you back and begin creating photographs that feel more personal, intentional and unmistakably yours.
DAY THREE — Bringing Your Artistic Story to Life
Finding the thread that connects your images, ideas and creative vision.
A beautiful photograph can sometimes change the way we see a subject, give us insight or provoke us to think differently.
But a meaningful series of photographs can take us somewhere.
Today, we'll explore how individual images come together to tell a story and how to bring greater clarity, purpose and direction to your photographic work.
We'll look at editing, sequencing, visual rhythm and the creative decisions that give a body of work its own identity.
What belongs in your story? What can be left out? How do you move beyond a collection of beautiful photographs to create something personal and meaningful?
Working with your existing images and the photographs you've made during our time together, we'll begin to uncover connections, recurring themes and possibilities you may not have recognised before.
We'll also explore something many photographers struggle with: knowing how to move a body of work forward, when it's good enough, when to finish it and when to let it go.
Perhaps you have an unfinished project waiting for your attention, hundreds of photographs you don't know what to do with, or an idea you've been carrying for years but haven't found the courage or structure to bring to life.
Together, we'll explore what's holding you back, what might be missing, the organisation and structure you need, and the practical and creative decisions that can help you move forward.
Sometimes the greatest challenge isn't making more photographs. It's recognising the value of what you've already created, trusting your choices and knowing when your work is ready to be shared.
With Carla and Loc bringing fresh eyes, different perspectives and honest, encouraging feedback, we'll explore how editing and curation can transform the way you see your own work and help you bring it to completion.
There will be dedicated one-to-one mentoring, time for reflection and opportunities to continue making photographs, with the freedom to focus on whatever you most need help with.
And, as always, we'll return to the table.
Because sometimes the most valuable thing we can offer another artist is our genuine curiosity, a fresh perspective and the encouragement to keep going.
The intention: To bring greater clarity and direction to your photography, move beyond the obstacles holding you back and find the confidence to develop, complete or share the work that matters to you.
DAY FOUR — Your Next Chapter
Confidence, clarity and the courage to create the work you truly want to make.
Our final day is about bringing everything together, reflecting on what we've discovered and looking towards what comes next.
In a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, what does it mean to create work that has your stamp firmly upon it?
How do we move beyond comparison and begin to recognise the value of our individual perspectives?
How do we find the courage to follow our creative instincts, even when the work we want to make doesn't follow trends or fit anyone else's expectations?
Through individual mentoring and conversations around the table, we'll explore the practical and emotional steps that can help you move forward.
We'll revisit the photographs you've brought, the discoveries you've made, the challenges you've worked through and the ideas that have begun to take shape.
Each photographer will have the opportunity to share a selection of work, a new direction or something meaningful they've discovered about themselves and their photography.
We'll also invite you to present ten of your most powerful images created during our time together.
We'll talk about what excites you now, what you want to explore next and how to turn that inspiration into something lasting.
Perhaps you've discovered a new way of seeing. Perhaps you've found the courage to begin a project you've been putting off, gained clarity about work that's been unfinished for years, or now have the tools, resources and knowledge to move forward with conviction.
Or perhaps you've simply remembered why you fell in love with photography in the first place.
Together, we'll celebrate those discoveries, big and small, and begin to imagine the next chapter.
Not necessarily a finished project.
Something potentially more valuable.
A clearer direction. A stronger belief in your own artistic voice. And the confidence to make the work that matters to you.
The intention: To leave with renewed creative confidence, a clearer sense of direction, practical next steps and the encouragement of a small community of photographers who believe in your work.
ONE LAST EVENING TOGETHER
As our time comes to a close, we'll gather for one last dinner.
An evening to share the things that excite us, the moments that moved us, the unexpected discoveries, creative breakthroughs and those wonderful little epiphanies that can change the way we see.
We'll celebrate the photographs we've made, the questions we've answered, the new possibilities ahead and, perhaps most importantly, the friendships and connections that have grown over our days together.
Because STORYTELLER isn't only about becoming a better photographer.
It's about feeling seen, encouraged and inspired by others who understand what it means to create.
And leaving knowing that although our time together has come to an end, your story is only just beginning.
DEPARTURE MORNING — Until Our Stories Meet Again
One last sunrise. One last breakfast.
You'll leave with fresh ideas, a deeper understanding of your work, practical steps for your next project, and the knowledge that you're part of a small community of photographers who understand and support your creative journey.
And perhaps you'll return home seeing the familiar world around you in an entirely new way.
Storyteller — Photography Salon
Two Mentors. Two Perspectives.
Carla Coulson & Loc Boyle
One of the most special parts of STORYTELLER is the opportunity to spend meaningful time with two photographers whose work, experiences and perspectives offer different ways of looking at the world.
Carla Coulson
Photographer. Author. Storyteller. Mentor.
For more than twenty-five years, Carla has followed her curiosity and her heart through photography, creating a life and body of work shaped by storytelling, beauty, emotion and personal expression.
From her early editorial career photographing for international magazines to her books, fine art photography and deeply personal projects, Carla has continually explored the relationship between the life we live and the images we create.
Her mentoring philosophy is rooted in the belief that our most powerful creative work comes from understanding who we are, what matters to us and what we have to say.
Carla brings not only decades of photographic experience, but a genuine passion for helping others find clarity, confidence and the courage to create work that feels true to them.
Loc Boyle
Photographer. Visual artist. Creative explorer.
Loc's photography invites us to look again.
Through movement, shadow, form, beauty and unexpected visual relationships, his work challenges the familiar and opens the door to new ways of seeing.
There is a playful curiosity and willingness to experiment in his approach, a reminder that photography doesn't always need to explain itself, and that some of the most interesting images begin when we allow ourselves to be surprised.
Loc brings a distinctive visual sensibility to the salon, encouraging experimentation, observation and the freedom to move beyond our habitual ways of making photographs.
The value of two perspectives
Carla and Loc won't be teaching you to photograph like them. Quite the opposite.
They'll bring their individual experiences, instincts and ways of seeing to help you discover more of what is uniquely yours.
Through dedicated one-to-one conversations with each mentor, group discussions and shared creative experiences, you'll have the opportunity to look at your work from different angles.
To be challenged thoughtfully.
To be encouraged generously.
And to discover possibilities you may not have considered on your own.
Just six places.
Because we want to know your name, your photographs, your story and what you dream of creating.
We want everyone to have a voice.
We want time for the conversations that matter.
We want you to feel comfortable enough to share your uncertainties, curious enough to experiment and supported enough to take creative risks.
We believe in the extraordinary things that can happen when the right people find themselves in the same room.
And in a world that increasingly asks us to connect through technology, there is something quietly radical about gathering around a table, looking at photographs together and having a real conversation.
Who is Storyteller for?
For photographers who want to go deeper.
You may be an experienced photographer ready for a new creative chapter.
A passionate amateur longing to develop a more personal style.
A professional searching for renewed inspiration.
Or someone with a story inside them who is ready to find a way to tell it.
You don't need the latest camera, an impressive portfolio or a particular level of technical expertise.
You do need curiosity, openness and a willingness to explore.
To listen. To share. To experiment.
And to give yourself the rare gift of four days devoted to your creativity.
What you'll take home
We don't promise that four days will change everything.
But we believe four days of focused attention, meaningful mentoring and creative connection can change the way you approach your photography and free you from where you may find yourself now.
Our intention is that you leave with:
- A deeper understanding of your personal photographic voice and the stories you want to tell.
- Fresh ideas for a new project or renewed direction for work you've already begun.
- Greater confidence in your instincts, your perspective and the value of what you create.
- Practical guidance from two experienced photographers who have taken the time to understand your individual needs and a creative salon of photographers each with their own unique point of view
- New ways of observing, editing and creating meaningful images.
- A personal creative roadmap to help you turn inspiration into action.
- A small circle of creative connections and friendships that can continue long after Venice.
- Resources, new skills and new found clarity
- A mini project of place
- Joy, friendship, passion and knowledge
Most importantly, we hope you leave with the desire to pick up your camera and create the work that only you can make.
Locations
MUDGEE, AUSTRALIA
January 2027
Lesvos, Greece
February 2027
VENICE, ITALY
November 2027