Our First Creative Retreat
"The gardener digs in another time, without past or future, beginning or end. A time that does not cleave the day with rush hours, lunch breaks, the last bus home. As you walk in the garden you pass into this time - the moment of entering can never be remembered. Around you the landscape lies transfigured. Here is the Amen beyond the prayer."
These words by Derek Jarman from 'Modern Nature' were inspiration for the creation of a truly unique experience.
We are incredibly proud to have hosted our first creative retreat in the stunning landscape of our Dungeness home, where twelve photography-based practitioners gathered over a long weekend to collaborate and learn alongside their peers.
Led by Director of Photography, curator and educator Emma Bowkett, photographer Kalpesh Lathigra, photographer Lynda Laird and Shannon Ghannam, Director of Development and Programming at PMF, the retreat focused on practitioners at various stages of their careers, addressing common challenges such as:
- Approaching projects and research
- Editing and sequencing long-term projects
- Pitching and promoting work
- Navigating the financial realities of being a freelance photographer/creative
- Reigniting passion for work
Participants shared their creative challenges and ambitions and sessions were tailored to suit the group's needs and answer common questions.
Photographers attending were:
Jess Bootes
MAKIKO (Makiko Hall)
Zula Rabikowska
Jadine Wells
Yolanda Crisp
Anna Maria Nabirye
Charlotte CHW
Sarah Douglas
Chris Mammone
Doreen Kilfeather
Josie Barnes
Rebecca Jeffree
Beyond the talks and group sessions, there was time for yoga, walks and fireside chats. Participants learned about the work of the Foundation and had access to our extensive photobook library acquired from the Magnum Tokyo office as well as Peter's personal collection.
Participants shared that they had left feeling they had expanded their network, found answers to their questions about their work and the photographic landscape, and developed a plan for their next steps.
Jessica Bootes had this to say about the retreat, "I am a recent University graduate and at this stage in my career, I never thought I would have the chance, to apply, let alone get accepted into a scholarship place for a retreat like this. The fact they opened it to all a range of ages and experience in the photography field, I think is amazing as it allowed me to see the different avenues of work and learn from the other participants. I also thought it was inspiring to see the team (Shannon, Emma, Kalpesh, Lynda and the rest of the Peter Marlow Foundation team assisting), so connected and so friendly with each other, it helped me believe in a sense of community in the field. From the beginning to end, I thought that there was a perfect balance of relaxation and down-time away from work, and a range of activities planned so that we left feeling inspired and educated. I thought that the PMF beliefs and their mission as a foundation, were evident in the retreat, as mentioned before, it was open to a range of participants, including people who have yet to fully start their business."
These words by Derek Jarman from 'Modern Nature' were inspiration for the creation of a truly unique experience.
We are incredibly proud to have hosted our first creative retreat in the stunning landscape of our Dungeness home, where twelve photography-based practitioners gathered over a long weekend to collaborate and learn alongside their peers.
Led by Director of Photography, curator and educator Emma Bowkett, photographer Kalpesh Lathigra, photographer Lynda Laird and Shannon Ghannam, Director of Development and Programming at PMF, the retreat focused on practitioners at various stages of their careers, addressing common challenges such as:
- Approaching projects and research
- Editing and sequencing long-term projects
- Pitching and promoting work
- Navigating the financial realities of being a freelance photographer/creative
- Reigniting passion for work
Participants shared their creative challenges and ambitions and sessions were tailored to suit the group's needs and answer common questions.
Photographers attending were:
Jess Bootes
MAKIKO (Makiko Hall)
Zula Rabikowska
Jadine Wells
Yolanda Crisp
Anna Maria Nabirye
Charlotte CHW
Sarah Douglas
Chris Mammone
Doreen Kilfeather
Josie Barnes
Rebecca Jeffree
Beyond the talks and group sessions, there was time for yoga, walks and fireside chats. Participants learned about the work of the Foundation and had access to our extensive photobook library acquired from the Magnum Tokyo office as well as Peter's personal collection.
Participants shared that they had left feeling they had expanded their network, found answers to their questions about their work and the photographic landscape, and developed a plan for their next steps.
Jessica Bootes had this to say about the retreat, "I am a recent University graduate and at this stage in my career, I never thought I would have the chance, to apply, let alone get accepted into a scholarship place for a retreat like this. The fact they opened it to all a range of ages and experience in the photography field, I think is amazing as it allowed me to see the different avenues of work and learn from the other participants. I also thought it was inspiring to see the team (Shannon, Emma, Kalpesh, Lynda and the rest of the Peter Marlow Foundation team assisting), so connected and so friendly with each other, it helped me believe in a sense of community in the field. From the beginning to end, I thought that there was a perfect balance of relaxation and down-time away from work, and a range of activities planned so that we left feeling inspired and educated. I thought that the PMF beliefs and their mission as a foundation, were evident in the retreat, as mentioned before, it was open to a range of participants, including people who have yet to fully start their business."
Anna Maria Nabirye (Manyhisa) added, "Being awarded a scholarship place on this creative retreat was a massive boost to my creative photography practice. It came at the perfect time when as I have been in preparation of a photography project- but was lacking in confidence and support. The time away afforded me professional nourishment, moments of joy, creative expansion and community- I couldn't have asked for more.
Having specific ring-fenced time to concentrate on my practice was so expanding- this was the first time I experienced this as non formally educated photographer. It allowed me to see and understand my work in a greater context. To find language for what i am doing and how I am working. It supported me to value the idiosyncrasies of my practice and help me set goals and ambitions moving forward. It has left a strong mark on how I work and my ambitions for my work. "
Having specific ring-fenced time to concentrate on my practice was so expanding- this was the first time I experienced this as non formally educated photographer. It allowed me to see and understand my work in a greater context. To find language for what i am doing and how I am working. It supported me to value the idiosyncrasies of my practice and help me set goals and ambitions moving forward. It has left a strong mark on how I work and my ambitions for my work. "
