An Insight Into Our Mixology and Cocktail Photography Retreat

Check out our recap of the Mixology and Cocktail Photography Retreat, where we mixed cocktails, captured stunning photos, and built a wonderful community in a beautiful countryside setting.

My wonderful colleague Suze Morrison and I had the great pleasure of organizing a mixology and cocktail photography retreat called Mix, Snap, Sip Retreat in September, and what a fantastic time it was! For a few days that will never be forgotten, we brought together a group of passionate photographers to mix, test, and take pictures of cocktails. There was electrifying energy in the air!

I want to thank the wonderful creatives who helped make the week so memorable and share some behind-the-scenes photos from the retreat in this blog post. Are you prepared to start our retreat? Let’s begin!

DAY 1: GREETING OUR VISITORS

The retreat took place at the gorgeous Upwey House, a charming old country mansion nestled in south England.

Seeing everyone get comfortable in this welcoming space was an incredible honor. After the welcome cocktail and some cheese plate nibbles, we had dinner together, and we shared the amazing gifts with our guests – courtesy of our wonderful sponsors. Everyone had the opportunity to unwind, savor delicious food, and bond before the mixing and snapping part began.

DAY 2: FULL SWING INTO MIXOLOGY AND COCKTAIL PHOTOGRAPHY RETREAT

One of my favorite sessions, cocktail photography and styling, opened up Day 2. I demonstrated two different light setups with different moods to illustrate how I use natural light to build the mood and tell a story. Everyone was excited to see how small lighting adjustments could impact a picture, which led to many creative ideas.

I was amazed by how incredible the team of creatives was—so enthusiastic, prepared to learn, and connected. It was lovely to see how quickly everyone clicked. As a host, you never quite know how the dynamic will develop. There was a great sense of connection from the very first night, which set the stage for an inspirational and memorable retreat.

DAY 3: PERSONALIZING COCKTAILS AND ARTIFICIAL LIGHT SHOOT

We kicked things off with an artificial light demo with three different light setups. We played with creating different moods using artificial light instead of natural light, which is my preferred choice for my client work. The most fun part was when we made an action shot – a lemon squeeze. We made some mess, but also had a lot of fun!

In the afternoon, Suze shared her knowledge of making infusions, syrups, spritzes, and more at home. Her insightful advice on personalizing drinks inspired everyone to come up with inventive ways to create them.

We made sure that everyone had enough time to put what they had learned into practice as the day came to a close. Attendees concentrated on creating gorgeous cocktail photos for their portfolios.

The group had such a cooperative and upbeat vibe. I was reminded of why I enjoy hosting as I watched the guests exchange advice and try out various perspectives.

DAY 4: CREATIVITY AND PORTFOLIO BUILDING

We began the day with Lightroom and Capture One editing demos. Suze and I showed how we use editing software to bring the raw photos to life. I also shared how I retouch my drink photos so that everybody could go home equipped with useful tools to improve their editing!

The afternoon was all about time off and connection. We visited a tiny but cozy teahouse in the village and experienced a delicious traditional high tea. We shared massive platters (I’m not exaggerating!) of savory treats and sweets. After some rest, we headed to a nearby pub for delicious classic English pub food. Did I mention we had sooo much food 🙂

We spent the last evening of our amazing retreat getting to know one another better next to a warm fireplace. It was a touching conclusion to an exceptional retreat full of connection, fun, and treasured memories!

DAY 5: A FINAL GOODBYE (BUT NOT REALLY)

We finished the retreat on a bittersweet final day. After a delectable breakfast, we packed our bags with priceless memories and said our sincere goodbyes—or, better yet, “see you later”.

It is incredible to see how much each person develops personally and creatively during these retreats. You all contributed something distinctive and different to the retreat, and it was enjoyable to see your inventiveness in action.

I WOULD ESPECIALLY LIKE TO THANK OUR ATTENDEES

I want to express my sincere gratitude to all of the amazing creatives who came to our retreat! Sharing this event with each of you was a delight, and your passion and commitment made it extra special. One of my favorite things was seeing you interact, grow, and encourage one another. I’m looking forward to seeing what incredible things you’ll do in the future!

It was a pleasure meeting you all, and a huge thank you to everyone who contributed their special energy to the group.

Lou – Carol – Sabrina – Victoria – Claudia – Janie – Ana

I also want to sincerely thank Lea for her priceless assistance in planning, managing, and hosting this event. I would also want to express my deepest gratitude to Aimee for helping Suze prepare all of the delicious meals that kept us motivated and inspired during our time together!

Finally, I want to thank Suze, my amazing co-host. It was an absolute honor to observe her work and learn from her mixology skills, and I am incredibly grateful for the chance to work with her on this retreat.

A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS FOR THE MIXOLOGY AND COCKTAIL PHOTOGRAPHY RETREAT

I truly appreciate the kindness and assistance of our sponsors. For us and our guests, you added even more memorable touches to our retreat:

Outfits: Son de Flor
Limoncello & teranino: Destiljara AurA
Rum: Bumbu Rum Co.
Mead: Hive Mind Mead & Brew Co
Gin: Cambridge Distillery, Elephant Gin, Shroton Fair Gin
Ginger drinks: The Dorset Ginger Company
Tonic: Double Dutch
Glassware: LSA International
Ceramics: Pots By Nives, Tri Lukne
Candles: Jula Tuta
Spices & jams: Steenbergs
Chocolate: Lindt UK

DO YOU WANT TO ATTEND A RETREAT?

I hope to organize another retreat because this one was such a memorable experience. Follow me on Instagram or subscribe to my newsletter so you don’t miss when there’s any new information.

FINAL THOUGHTS

To all our attendees, my co-host, the entire team, sponsors, and everyone involved—thank you from the bottom of my heart for making this retreat such a success. It was an honor to teach, learn, and create alongside such a talented group of people. Until next time, keep mixing, styling, and capturing the beauty in everything!