Loire Valley with Allison Tyler Jones
7 days, 6 Nights 8-12 Guests $5995/Person Partners welcome Summer 2024 (Dates TBA)
Stay in a charming country inn, explore the villages, vineyards, and the castles that dot the dreamy Loire River Valley in central France.
The first ever workshop abroad with acclaimed Allison Tyler Jones.
Allison operates one of America’s most progressive portrait studios and has helped hundred of photographers elevate their work and business through her podcast and coaching.
A life-changing experience in one of the most inspiring places on earth.
Read more about Allison
Allison Tyler Jones website
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 | Meet-up day
Arrive from Paris by train around noon. Don’t worry we’ll help with your pre-workshop travel plans.
After we’re all checked in (hotel TBA) we’ll gather for introductions and then head out to explore together with our guides Marie and Rod Heiss.
Dinner together and a briefing for this fabulous week.
Day 2 | Villages, Vineyards and the Abbey.
After breakfast and a short workshop session, load up and travel along the Loire stopping to photograph and dine in one or more of the charming villages along the river.
Check in at Domaine de Mestré, our charming 14th century country inn (5 nights).
Pay an evening visit to world-famous Fontevraud Abbey.
Day 3 | Saumur
Workshop in the living room.
A relaxed drive to the riverside town of Saumur with its imposing castle.
Step back in history in the remarkable Champigny troglodyte caves.
Vineyard visits along the way to photograph and taste.
Sunset at Parnay Church with a tailgate gourmet picnic.
Day 4 | St. Pierre-en-Vaux
Begin the day with a sunrise shoot at St. Pierre-en-Vaux country church and cemetery.
Continue with visits to tiny Prieuré Church and the pre-historic Dolmen at La Bajoulière.
Have lunch in the caves of Rou Marson, tasting the fire-baked specialties there.
Workshop among hobbit-style houses and famous cave/cellars of Loire Valley.
Last light finds us at the windmill, Moulin de Gouré or Louresse-Rochemenier.
Day 5 | Candes-Saint-Martin & more!
Workshop in the living room, everyone sharing some favorite images.
Visit Candes-Saint-Martin Village with its fantastic cathedral set in a charming little village.
Picnic lunch at Montsoreaux Village and Castle.
Stop to photograph a windmill set in a quiet vineyard: Moulin de la Herpinière.
Chinon Village/Fortress.
Evening shoot of Fortress/Landscape from across the river.
Day 6
In our workshop tradition, we’re keeping this morning open so the group can decide whether to revisit a location, explore a new one or simply relax and the farmhouse and do some editing.
In the evening, we’ve arranged for a private dusk-shoot at Chateau Chenonceau, a rare treat without the tourist crowds.
Day 7 | Angers
Workshop wrap-up in the living room at the Inn and slideshow.
Check out and meander back through this serene countryside toward Angers.
We’ll find a village for lunch along the way.
Arrive at the Angers Station by 3:00 p.m. where we can help you find the train you need.
Au revoir!
Workshop or Vacation?
A week of inspiration and recalibration this is a vacation that will pay for itself soon after you get home.
Yes, you’ll stay in a charming country inn, part of a 14th century abbey with an indoor pool and beautiful restaurant. You’ll travel each day and take in the Loire and its magnificent chateaux and vineyards.
But here’s the kicker… You’ll be soaking in all this inspiration alongside Allison Tyler Jones, one of the most popular teachers and business coaches in America. You’ll learn how to:
- Uniquely Brand Your Business
- Profitably Price Your Products
- Confidently Sell Your Work
- Create an Unforgettable Client Experience
Short daily discussions will be held at the chateau and there will be ample time for you to ask questions on day trips and long lingering French meals.
Allison Tyler Jones
Special Guests Instructors
Ivan Jones
Running your own business can drain the very creativity we rely on to make the images that our clients love us for.
Invest in yourself and your business by spending 7 days resetting your creative vision while being inspired to change your business and your life.
Class time at our country inn will be consist of short daily sessions with Allison, followed by fun romps though the Loire Valley. Ivan, who has lives in France and speaks French, will help you navigate the culture and people he dearly loves.
Your Local Loire Valley Hosts
Marie & Rod Heiss
Marie Deforge Heiss was born and raised in the Loire Valley. She knows all the secrets of the Loire… the little country churches, the best morning fog spots, the most charming village markets. She also knows where to go for truly authentic dining. Over the past decade Marie has been our guide, our organizer and our friend on the workshops. More about Marie …
Artist and foodie Rod Heiss (Marie’s husband and all-around good guy) will join the group as well. He is amazing at smoothing out all travel bumps,.. Where’s the nearest cafe? ATM? Best place for lunch? He’s got you covered.
Experienced local trip managers like Marie and Rod are your best guarantee of a safe and smooth week of learning.
Office and Registration
Italy Workshops offices in the historic downtown mansion of Busath Studio & Gardens in Salt Lake City.
Drake Busath directs the workshops along with a talented team of Italian, French and American travel hosts.
Please feel free to stop in and visit. We are open and reachable by phone Tues-Friday 10AM to 6PM MST.
801-364-6645
You can email us at info@italyworkshops.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What Type of Camera Should I Bring?
Bring our favorite travel camera. Keep it light and mobile and something you’re comfortable with. One good all-purpose travel lens is sufficient, say a 24-105mm*. If you want to carry more lenses, that’s fine too.
You will not be photographing portraits as part of this workshop. Classtime will consist of lectures and discussions only.
Each day you will travel to beautiful spots with ample time to photograph individually.
Traveling light is important on these tours. iPhone use is perfectly acceptable! A backpack or shoulder bag is best for mobility. A lightweight travel tripod is highly recommended for evening and sunrise sessions along the river.
*full frame equivalent
Should I Bring a Computer
Participants who are very comfortable with their laptop or tablet are encouraged to bring it along. Editing your images during the week can enhance your trip and spark new creativity.
You may want to share social images along the way to show your clients how seriously you take your art and how you are investing in continued learning.
Professional Level Workshop
Aspiring Portrait Photographers
If you’re new to the craft, this week in the Loire will kick start your portrait career into high gear and could well be the difference between modest success and great success. Short, daily discussions at the farmhouse will tackle one concept at time, then further individual conversations in the field and during meals will helps you digest and lock in those concepts.
Advanced Photographers
As an advanced photographer you’ll be encouraged to:
- Open your mind to progressive new business concepts and honestly evaluate your business together with Allison.
- Enjoy some time away with your camera and recharge your creative batteries.
- Build your fine art portfolio, adding strong images every single day of the trip.
You will return home not only with new ideas for your business but with a body of work suitable for a gallery showing or book project.
Partners Welcome
Non-photographer partners are included in all activities and welcome to sit in on workshop discussions. Dues to the small group format, pricing is the same for full participants and partners.
Loire Valley Photo Workshop Dates
Loire Valley with Allison Tyler Jones
Summer of 2024 (Dates To Be Announced)
$5995 / participant
$500 discount for a partner sharing your room
Included:
Travel
Ground travel by minivan included for the duration of the tour, beginning in Amboise and ending in Angers. We’ll help you with easy instructions for your train arrival and departure from Paris CDG airport. These trains tickets will be your responsibility.
Hotels
6 nights accommodations at 4 star accommodations where available.
All breakfasts plus a wonderful lunch or dinner 5 days
Workshop
Workshop tuition, including daily lecture and discussion pertaining to the business and art of portraiture, guidance on daily tours by local Marie Heiss.
Not Included:
- Airfare
- Trip insurance (strongly recommended)
Payment Schedule
- A reservation fee of $500/person will hold your spot
- The balance of payment is due 120 days prior to your workshop/tour
Cancellation fee schedule
- There is no charge for cancellation within ten days of booking your workshop.
- After ten days, reservation fees are non-refundable but may be applied to a future workshop event.
- Cancellations less than 90 days prior to workshop incur a cancellation fee of 25% of the total workshop cost.
- Cancellations less than 45 days prior to workshop incur a cancellation fee of 50% of the total workshop cost.
- Cancellations less than 15 days prior to workshop incur a cancellation fee of 75% of the total workshop cost.
- No partial refunds will be given for unused portions of a workshop.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance to protect your investment. Travel Guard is a good place to start shopping for trip insurance. You can get a free quote online.
Cancelled Workshops
Italy Workshops reserves the right to cancel any trip for any reason whatsoever, including insufficient signup, logistical problems that may impede a workshop, hotel closures or acts of God.
Refund of all fees paid shall release Italy Workshops from any further liability. Italy Workshops is not responsible for any expenses incurred by workshop participants in preparing for a cancelled workshop. In the case of insufficient signup to make a workshop feasible, notice and refund will be sent 120 days prior to the workshop.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance to protect your investment. Travel Guard or Allianz are good places to start shopping for trip insurance. You can get a free quote online.
Liability Release
You will be asked to sign a liability waiver before the tour begins, releasing Italy Workshops and any of its agents of liability for injury or loss.
Photographic Release
Italy Workshops reserves the right to photograph and film its trips in entirety. Participants should be aware that images of them may be used for promotional purposes or joint marketing efforts with third parties, without remuneration.
