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Photography retreats just what the doctor ordered By Ruby Harfield
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business designed to help women travel and improve their photography skills is also helping their health and wellbeing. Women in Photography (WIP) was founded by award-winning New Zealand photographer Lesley Whyte. WIP is a global provider of photography tours and retreats. Whyte said WIP has one aim “to grow the photographic passion of women and for them to become more confident in using their camera” though an incredibly fun, social plus extremely interactive and handson way. “We know that for women it can be very busy juggling career and home life with, at times, not much me time. “We recognise that at times we need me time, some camera time and being with other women.
“Whether our attendees are beginners and only just started using their camera, still on auto, or even more advanced, our photography tours and retreats are therapeutic and just what the doctor ordered. Photography is a medium to express yourself, and also helps to bring focus to positive life experiences, she said. “It can enhance your self-worth and even reduces the stress hormone cortisol.” WIP has developed an annual four-day retreat in conjunction with River Valley Lodge, near Taihape, specifically for photography wellbeing, she said. “River Valley has been chosen as it is a place to restore, rejuvenate, recreate and regenerate – it’s where we can immerse ourselves in nature, build a real connection with your camera and embrace ourselves as women.
BELOW: Award-winning New Zealand photographer Lesley Whyte, who founded Women in Photography. Photos/Supplied
“Of course, all our other photography retreats and tours are therapeutic for a photographer with us being totally immersed in the surroundings and enjoying that camera time. “Travelling with like-minded and equally photographic passionate women, we’ve seen to be so beneficial, the women say at the end that they’ve not been thinking about anything other than being totally immersed in getting their camera settings right to capture stunning imagery.” Women in Photography is led by women for women and is believed to be the only global provider of photography tours and retreats dedicated to enthusiasts, hobbyists, beginners and intermediate level photographers, Whyte said. The retreats and tours are also incredibly fun and social plus extremely interactive with Lightroom & Photoshop sessions.
ABOVE LEFT: A Women in Photography group sitting at the 800 year old Totara stump at Blue Duck Station in the Ruapehu District. ABOVE RIGHT: A group tour at the Tommy Solomon statue in the Chatham Islands. Photos/Supplied
New Zealand’s only organisation providing photography workshops, adventures, events & tours, run by women, for women.
Contact Lesley Whyte for more information lesley@womeninphotography.co www.womeninphotography.co
Our retreats and tours are led by a dedicated team of Women in Photography mentors who have been chosen as they share Women in Photography’s philosophy of mentoring and growing “YOUR photography passion.”
