The Gypsy Westwood Experience

The Gypsy Westwood Experience – a Photography Workshop in Ibiza

At Casa Rosie in San Rafael

October 2019

I can not believe I have not yet blogged this!! This is the photography workshop I ran last October. The idea kind of came about in 2018 and then began to formalise after having a very enthusiastic conversation with a fellow Ibiza photographer, Delphine from Del Mao Photography. ‘New’ always makes me nervous, and though I have been a Professional Photographer for many many years now, there is a point of recognizing it and knowing your skill. It can be hard to see. It is not my forte! With the friendship and encouragement I got from Delphine it made the idea grow into what ended up being an amazing experience.

There was a lot needed to get there, as with all productions ( I don’t wish to be a wedding planner, well done them!!!) Not only design ideas but also finding suppliers and of course WHAT to actually show and talk about and ….can I really teach anything??? I have to admit I had many sleepless nights last summer, going over and over and over what I was actually going to do AND say.

I ( or I should say we, as I was not alone) DID it- everything slotted into place. We had a few amazing sunny days (phew because it is a gamble in October) with such lovely people, from the UK, Madrid and Ibiza itself, in very stunning surroundings. I have never participated in a workshop myself but have been told that it ends up being a real intimate experience, making friends with the participants and everyone involved, not just taking photos and learning.

By the end of the week in October I can say- YES, WHAT a real humbling experience it was. It is intimate and you make friends and chat and learn all at the same time. I felt so honoured that I could show my photography journey, guide a few fellow photographers on their own path using all my experiences and on Ibiza, my home. I too was inspired by all of them, loving the different perspectives and editing styles they already have. I got to learn new things. It is refreshing to see other ways.

We were based in a stunning country house, a typical 300 year old Ibiza finca renovated to a modern but rustic style. The workshop was spread over three nights and two full days. Everyone arrived on the Tuesday evening for a welcome dinner. I was nervous. But I think they were a little too!

On the two days we had some ‘classroom time’ in the mornings and then two styled shoots with real couples in the afternoons. Over cocktails and dinner we had relaxed chats including visits some other island suppliers.

The days were full on, I like being busy. Through massive lack of sleep it felt great to be involved in this new experience.

There is no way I could have made the whole thing come together without the help and participation of so many Ibiza suppliers and friends. I am so grateful that they wanted to collaborate on this venture with me. SO thank you to Katy and James for giving me your Ibiza home, Gary for cooking up a feast everyday, Danielle and her team for making a beautiful styled wedding scene, James for your delish cocktails, Aurea Floral studio for flowers, Ivanna for lending one of her glam designs, Nicole and Nathan for being a groovy real couple, Caroline and Bruno for being another groovy couple. Thank you to Louise for making the couples look natural and fresh. To Eileen for her cake, Melchior doing your ceremony thing and Catherine for the Bubbles. Thank you to Natasha for trusting me with your delicate jewels and Victoria the vintage dress. To Massimo for the playlists. For Delphine for your on-going positive enthusiasm. Thank you to Sofia for being so earnest during your talk. And Kerry for being lovely and also direct in yours. Thank you Tamara for giving your time to shoot and make a mini film on day one and Adam on day two. Thank you to Kala Albums, Pixellu Smart Slides and Pic-Tome for sponsoring with your prizes and gifts. A big massive Thank you to my lovely mum, Jenny for her fab linen dresses and styling and my husband Hayden for keeping me calm during the weeks leading up to it and telling me I would be fine! AND helping carry and unload, load and carry.

And of course thank you to the lovely group of photographers who participated, listened to me but also so inspired me. Stacey, Amy, Fiorella, Brenda, Silvana and Molly!!

Below are just a few of the many stunning photos and behind the scene shots we got out of the day – and the little video of day one, with Nicole and Nathan and their pretend wedding.

I was due to do another in April but due to Covid-19 have decided that this year is not the year. Watch this space for 2021, I am sure for everyone we are hoping for a clear clean new beginning!