BALI PHOTOGRAPHY & CREATIVE RETREAT
2027

CREATE • EXPLORE • RELAX

10–15 May 2027 | Recommended arrival Sunday 9 May | Maximum 10 photographers

A small-group, education-led retreat featuring eight guided three-hour photography workshops, professional models and Bali’s distinctive natural light and landscapes.

At a glance

The experience

Learn creative direction, portrait lighting, documentary observation and environmental composition across varied locations, with time for independent experimentation.

Day-by-day program

Workshop times are indicative and may move to suit light, tides, access, safety and travel time. Thursday travel between waterfall and beach locations requires special attention. ATV and sightseeing are separate from the 24 guided workshop hours.

The eight photography workshops

W1 — Natural-Light Boudoir

Monday morning | 3 hours. Window light, shadow, posing, tasteful intimate portraiture; no art nude.

W2 — Glamour Pool Portraits

Monday afternoon | 3 hours. Swimwear/glamour, reflections, water movement and tropical daylight.

W3 — Tropical Fashion & Natural Light

Tuesday morning | 3 hours. Fashion posing, shaded light and environmental compositions in tropical surroundings.

W4 — Creative Editorial Portraits

Tuesday afternoon | 3 hours. Creative direction, styling, expressive poses and storytelling.

W5 — Waterfall & Environmental Portraits

Thursday morning | 3 hours. Waterfall backdrops, landscape integration, safety-first shooting from permitted areas.

W6 — Beach Fashion & Sunset Portraits

Thursday afternoon | 3 hours. Coastal portraits, backlight, silhouettes, movement and golden hour.

W7 — Bali Street Documentary Photography

Friday morning | 3 hours. Ethical documentary practice, markets, architecture and everyday visual stories; no hired models required.

W8 — Rice Fields & Balinese Lifestyle Portraits

Friday afternoon | 3 hours. Rural landscape composition and culturally respectful lifestyle portraiture.

Model arrangements: professional models are included for applicable portrait workshops; the street documentary workshop does not require models. Styling and final locations will be confirmed. Boudoir is tasteful and non-nude; art nude is not part of the program.

What is included

• Confirmed villa accommodation for 9–15 May (6 nights), subject to final booking confirmation.
• Eight guided three-hour workshops (24 hours total) and relevant professional models.
• Scheduled meals, including welcome and farewell dinners.
• Scheduled local group transport and standard access/entry fees for listed activities.
• ATV jungle/tunnel adventure, waterfall/temple sightseeing and planned landscape outings.
• Shared villa facilities and scheduled downtime.

What is not included

• Flights, baggage charges and independently arranged travel.
• Passports, visas, Bali tourist levy, immigration/entry costs.
• Travel insurance, medical care, evacuation, personal medications and camera insurance.
• Alcohol, shopping, personal activities, optional excursions and additional accommodation.
• Airport transfers unless expressly confirmed in the final booking package.

Accommodation, meals and travel logistics

The proposed base is a large private villa in Lovina, North Bali. Final property, room allocation, exclusive-use arrangements, model-shoot permission and meal arrangements are subject to supplier confirmation. Lovina is far from some southern Bali attractions; travel times and locations will be adjusted accordingly. Participants should not book non-refundable flights until the organiser confirms the retreat is proceeding.

Booking and payment

• Early Bird AUD $3,999. (Before 31st December 2026)
• Standard AUD $4,499 (From 1st January 2027)
• Deposit AUD $1,000 (At the time of booking)
• Proposed balance due 31 March 2027 (Payable in 3 installments)
• Cancellation requests must be submitted in writing within 30 calendar days of the initial booking payment for a full refund of all amounts paid.
• After the 30-day cancellation period, the deposit and subsequent payments are non-refundable for participant-initiated cancellations, to the extent permitted by law. See Section 3 for full conditions.

Bali weather in May and what to expect

May is the start of Bali’s drier season. Expect warm, humid tropical weather: typically around 21–31°C, with some rain still possible (roughly 8–9 rainy days across May, not a forecast for the retreat dates). Higher-elevation waterfall and rice-terrace areas can feel cooler and wetter. Bring sun protection, breathable clothing, secure walking shoes and light rain protection.

Packing and shopping checklist

Before you leave Australia

• ☐ Arrange flights to arrive by Sunday 9 May; share itinerary with organisers.
• ☐ Confirm passport, visa category and permissions for intended photography; check current Indonesian requirements.
• ☐ Buy comprehensive travel insurance covering ATV and overseas medical evacuation; consider camera insurance.
• ☐ Submit dietary/allergy requirements, mobility/support needs and emergency contact.
• ☐ Prepare a photo backup workflow, charge batteries, pack memory cards and weather protection.
• ☐ Review official travel advice shortly before departure.

Booking terms, participant responsibilities and risk acknowledgement

1. Parties and acceptance

The publishing platform is a booking channel, not necessarily the contracting travel provider. A booking is accepted only after written confirmation, receipt of the deposit and acceptance of these terms. Participants must be 18 or older unless separately approved in writing.

2. Price and payments

Early Bird AUD $3,999 (limited places; closes 31 January 2027 or earlier if sold out); Standard AUD $4,499; deposit AUD $1,000 credited towards the price. Proposed final balance deadline: 31 March 2027. A booking made after that deadline requires full payment. Prices and package inclusions are those shown in the booking confirmation.

3. Cancellation by participant

• Cancellation requests must be submitted to the organiser in writing.
  • Each participant has 30 calendar days from the date the organiser receives their first booking payment to cancel and request a full refund of all amounts paid towards the retreat. The 30-day period is calculated separately for each booking.
  • For voluntary cancellations received after this 30-day period, the booking deposit and all subsequent payments towards the retreat are non-refundable, to the extent permitted by applicable law. This reflects advance commitments to accommodation, models, transport and other retreat suppliers.
  • Any retained amounts or cancellation charges must comply with applicable consumer law, including requirements concerning fairness, reasonable losses, avoided expenses and recovered costs. Nothing in this policy removes a participant’s non-excludable statutory rights.
  • A participant who cannot attend may request to transfer their place to an eligible replacement. Transfers require the organiser’s prior written approval and may incur reasonable administration or supplier charges.
  • This participant cancellation policy does not apply where the organiser cancels the retreat or where the participant is entitled to a remedy under applicable law; see Section 4.
  • For bookings made less than 30 days before the retreat starts, the 30-day cancellation period does not automatically extend beyond the commencement of the retreat. Any cancellation after commencement will be assessed in accordance with applicable law. This provision requires legal review before publication.

4. Cancellation or material change by organiser

The organiser may change the sequence, locations, models or activities for weather, safety, access or supplier issues and will aim to offer suitable alternatives. Where a contracted service cannot be supplied or the retreat is cancelled, participants retain applicable consumer-law remedies. Independently booked flights are not reimbursed unless legally required.

5. Included services

Confirmed villa accommodation dates and room arrangement; eight scheduled three-hour photography workshops (24 hours); professional models for relevant portrait sessions; instruction; scheduled group meals including welcome and farewell dinners; scheduled local group transport; ATV adventure; listed sightseeing and standard admission fees. Specific inclusions are subject to final booking confirmation.

6. Excluded services

All flights, flight changes, visas, Bali tourist levy, passports, travel insurance, medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, alcohol, personal purchases, personal excursions and transport, extra accommodation, camera/equipment insurance, and anything not expressly listed as included. Airport transfers are NOT promised unless specifically confirmed.

7. Travel and punctuality

Participants arrange flights and must arrive ready for the first Monday workshop. Sunday 9 May arrival is recommended. Participants bear costs of delayed/missed flights, late arrival and independent transfers. Missed activities are not automatically refundable; statutory rights remain.

8. Passport, visa and photography permissions

Participants must satisfy Indonesian entry, passport, declaration and visa rules and confirm that their intended photographic/commercial use is permitted. Organisers must separately confirm permissions for delivering paid workshops and model shoots. Rules may change before travel.

9. Mandatory travel insurance

Participants must hold appropriate overseas travel insurance for the entire journey, including emergency medical care, evacuation/repatriation, trip interruption and scheduled ATV/adventure activities. Equipment insurance is recommended. The organiser may request proof of cover. Participants must check exclusions and pre-existing conditions.

10. Fitness, walking and accessibility

The program can include heat, humidity, prolonged standing, carrying equipment, uneven trails, steep steps, slippery rocks, beaches, rice terraces and waterfall access. Participants should be able to walk on uneven terrain and assess their own capabilities. Disclose access needs early so reasonable options can be explored; not every location is accessible. Do not enter unsafe/restricted areas.

11. Illness, injury and emergencies

Participants arrange and pay for their own treatment, medication, hospital, evacuation and insurer claims except where another party is legally liable. Organisers may reasonably assist with calling services or an emergency contact but do not provide clinical care or guarantee personal hospital accompaniment. Any inability to continue is handled under booking terms and applicable law.

12. Dietary needs and food allergies

Participants must submit food restrictions, serious allergies, religious requirements and intolerances by [DATE] and update any changes. Organisers will pass these to caterers and make reasonable arrangements but cannot guarantee zero cross-contact from third-party kitchens. Participants should verify suitability and carry prescribed emergency medication.

13. Activities and safety

Follow guides, venue rules, protective-equipment instructions and all safety directions. ATV participation may require provider-specific waivers and eligibility. Do not ride impaired. Swimming, waterfall access and rock climbing are optional and only permitted where safe and authorised. Participants may decline activities; alternative services are not guaranteed.

14. Conduct and model consent

Respect fellow guests, staff, residents, religious sites and models. No harassment, unwanted contact, unauthorised intimate/BTS imagery, pressure for unagreed poses or photographing changing areas. Follow model-release and venue conditions. Serious misconduct may result in exclusion subject to fair and lawful processes.

15. Image rights

Photographers ordinarily own copyright in their original images subject to law and agreements. Model consent and location restrictions may limit usage. Portfolio/social posting is subject to supplied releases; advertising, resale, stock and third-party licensing may require additional permissions. Organiser promotional photography of participants requires an appropriate separate consent process.

16. Property, equipment and villa

Participants are responsible for their belongings, camera equipment and reasonable care of accommodation. Insure valuable equipment. Damage caused by a participant may be recoverable to the extent lawful. Organiser liability for loss or damage is not excluded where the law does not permit exclusion.

17. Free time and independent arrangements

Independent trips, shopping, nightlife and excursions are at participants’ discretion and expense. Inform organisers if missing a group activity. Organisers are not responsible for separately purchased services except where legally responsible.

18. Privacy and emergency contacts

The organiser may collect contact, dietary, relevant support, insurance confirmation and emergency-contact details only as reasonably needed. Overseas disclosure to local suppliers should be explained in the applicable privacy notice. Do not submit detailed medical records unless specifically necessary.

19. Liability and consumer guarantees

International travel and recreational activities carry inherent risks. Participants agree to take reasonable care and follow safety instructions. Nothing excludes non-excludable rights or liability under applicable law. Any formal recreational-services waiver or release should be drafted and reviewed by qualified counsel for this overseas retreat.

20. Governing documents and dispute process

Booking confirmation, published inclusions, these terms and any supplier-specific safety rules form the agreement, with applicable law prevailing. Participants should first raise complaints in writing with [CONTACT]; unresolved matters may be pursued through applicable consumer and legal channels.

21. Participant acknowledgement

By booking, I confirm that I understand the itinerary, inclusions and exclusions; will arrange my own flights, visa and insurance; can assess the walking and outdoor demands; will disclose relevant allergies/support needs; accept inherent risks; respect model consent and local customs; and understand the payment and cancellation terms subject to applicable law.

Useful official references

Australian Government — Indonesia travel advice: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/indonesia

Australian Government — overseas travel preparation: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/id/node/158

Bali May climate guide: https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/destinations/bali/bali-monthly-weather-and-climate-guide/