Surf Photography Retreat
Knowledge-packed water photography & surf week with Ana Catarina Teles & Tommy Pierucki
Have you been wanting to get into the water photography but don’t know where to start? Join our feedback-loaded Surf Photography Retreat with a carefully curated programme that will help you build solid foundations to kickstart your water photography journey. In addition to the photography activities (theory and practice), we’ve also planned plenty of surf time, delicious food and time for relaxation in our stunning tropical resort. It’s a full package where everything will be taken care of for you – you just grab your camera, absorb the knowledge, surf and enjoy the surroundings.
Dates & programme
When? 2-9 March 2024
Topics covered in the programme
- Intro to photography
- Storytelling
- Equipment Intro & taking care of your gear
- Swimming skills for water photography
- Creativity, Lifestyle Shoots & Social Media
- Post-production & working with clients
- Also, you’ll have the opportunity to shoot two professional longboarders invited by Ana & Tommy to this super special retreat!
Language: English
*Please note the order of some activities may change depending on the surf and weather conditions.
Day 1
check-ins
welcome dinner
surf & photo briefing / intro
Day 2
breakfast
surf
lunch
theory : basic photography
yoga
Day 3
breakfast
surf
lunch
Equipment Introduction - Beginning of the Practice - Water Photography
yoga
Day 4
breakfast
drone surf - you surf, we film
lunch
video analysis - improve your surf technique
Photography Exercises
Ice bath
Day 5
Early Photo Session - Lifestyle Shooting
breakfast
surf
lunch
photo analysis by Ana & Tommy
yoga
Day 6
breakfast
surf photography
lunch
photo analysis by Ana & Tommy
Sasak culture workshop
Day 7
surf photography
breakfast
surf
lunch
sunset trip
farewell dinner
Day 8
breakfast
check-outs
Surf Photography Retreat
Knowledge and fun-packed week (8 days / 7 nights) a tropical island of Lombok, Indonesia – Xanadu Retreat.
SHARING IS CARING
Superior Twin
Travelling solo and don’t mind sharing a room? This option has you sharing a twin room with another guest (or should we say “future friend”?)
IDR 29,264,933 pp
(〜EUR 1735 | AUD 2870 | USD 1960*)
LOVE MY PRIVACY
Superior King
Love your privacy and prefer your own space? Get a room all to yourself and strut around in your underwear. It’s your room!
IDR 35,089,533 pp
(〜EUR 2080 | AUD 3440 | USD 2335*)
DELUXE TREATMENT
Deluxe Extra King
The best, most super-duper deluxe room we have. An extra large bed, extra space and an outdoor bathtub. It’s a guest favourite (for obvious reasons).
IDR 38,056,833 pp
(〜EUR 2257 | AUD 3735 | USD 2549*)
*The price in EUR/AUD/USD is only an estimate and may vary based on the currency exchange rate on your card issuer.
Ana Catarina Teles
PHOTOGRAPHER @anacatarinaphoto
Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, I discovered what really gave me shivers in 2013. I gave up stability and a peaceful life to discover new possibilities, new cultures, landscapes and stories that would take my breath away! Water photography was a passport to my freedom and to create images that combine my feelings and thoughts. “When I’m out in the ocean I just don’t feel a connection. I feel I’m a part of it, adapting myself to the waves, feeling each wipeout and the water just running across my body. It’s the perfect way to feel I’m alive.”
I see photography as the head of personal development as well as a personal way of telling stories that I experience along the way. Seeking new horizons, the photography is my main dedication currently, full time. I’m committed to the purpose of bringing a positive message through photography and living photography as an opportunity of self knowledge and to meet people, especially connecting to women. I usually lead workshops in Rio de Janeiro and in October I’ll have my first international group in Nazare, Portugal. I also have a project called La Mer Collective, which guides other women to shoot in the water and dedicating theirselves to it. It’s my life purpose, for sure.
Tommy Pierucki
PHOTOGRAPHER @tommypierucki
Originally from the Chicago area, Tommy Pierucki has been a Hawaii resident since 2013.
Tommy’s interest in photography first truly took hold January 2018, and since then he had been featured on the the cover of Pacific Longboarder Magazine‘s 100th issue and published in The Surfer’s Journal, the cover of Hana Hou! Magazine, has been a featured artist at the Gallery Waikiki, Green Room and currently at Koko Marina, was requested to photograph celebrities like Tom Holland (Spider-man), Halsey, and Lily Chee as they surfed, is a Toes on the Nose and Banan ambassador, and has had his photography featured by brands like Roxy, RVCA, Hawaiian Airlines, Hawaii Magazine, Honolulu Magazine, Japan Airlines, Billabong, and many more brands.
Surfing in Lombok
This retreat is about water photography, but it would be a sin not to plan some time during your stay for epic surf sessions. Lombok is a truly special place, with plenty of surf spots perfect for different surf levels (some of them are our best kept secrets) and we can’t wait to show you around. All surfing will be done under the watchful eye of Xanadu surf team, so you’ll be well looked after. And with a crew of surf-photographers-to be plus the photo pros Ana and Tommy, you’ll surely have some beautiful surf shots to keep the Lombok memories alive after you get back home.
Retreat location
Perched on a hill with spectacular vistas over swaying treetops and across Kuta Bay, our Xanadu Boutique Resort is for discerning surfers who enjoy the finer things in life. It’s special, to be sure. But it’s more than just a place to snap droolworthy Instagram pics. It’s a peaceful and serene home away from home that’s equal parts luxurious and intimate. And it’s perfect for surfers seeking epic waves and pampering in paradise.
What to expect from this retreat?
If you want to dive deeper into water photography this retreat is for you!
Carefully curated photography course
Learn from the pros
Want to pick the brain and learn the secrets of water photography from the pros? Now’s your unique chance.
Learn from Ana and Tommy in an intimate, conversational setting. And listen closely as they spill their most invaluable photography secrets. All so you become a more confident water photographer in a shorter amount of time.
The gear
The idea of having different equipments and lenses is to experience the infinite possibilities that photography and water photography can offer. It’s how each person can adapt to the equipment weight, distance and also how fast you can set them up. That’s the main idea of the workshop: try a lot and practice with the best equipment we have in surf photography background and the one’s Ana and Tommy use in the routine. We have a few Aquatech Water Housings, the best in the business also available to be used and explored by our participants!
Check FAQ section below for a list of gear available to try during the retreat.
Surfing
During this retreat we also want to give you the opportunity to discover and surf some of the most fun longboard waves Lombok has to offer. The sessions will be run under the supervision of the Xanadu surf team so that you can make the most of your surf time here with us. The boards are already included in the package.
Thoughtfully prepared menu
We’re foodies at heart, which means we take the time to prepare thoughtful meals that both fuel and invigorate you for the day ahead. Seasonal produce, freshly picked fruit and sourdough loafs baked in-house. Everything is beautifully presented, healthy and clean. And we can easily cater to a variety of different diets (gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan etc.). Big yum vibes.
Restorative Yoga
Yoga and surfing go together like peanut butter and our sourdough bread. And our resident yogi Alvin will carefully tailor his yoga practices to suit your needs. Bringing awareness both on and off the mat is his main goal. But the soothing of any post-surf sore spots and a heightened sense of wellbeing can also be expected.
All-inclusive package
You don’t need to worry about anything other than rolling out of bed during this week. All the activities in the schedule are included in the package (workshops, surf lessons, transport, airport transfer, breakfasts, lunches, welcome and farewell dinners. Plus luxury accommodation and great vibes!
What do I need to bring?
- A pair of fins (mandatory - it's safety!)
- Swimmers
- Sun block (or you can buy one at Xanadu)
- External hard drive to get your photos
Other than that, the idea of this retreat is to enable you to try different equipments and lenses is to experience the infinite possibilities that photography and water photography can offer. Ana and Tommy will bring with them the best equipment but you're also welcome to come with your own gear.
Ana's and Tommy's gear:
Camera:
3x Canon R5
Lenses:
RF 50mm f/1.2
RF 85mm f/1.2 DFS
RF 15-35mm f/2.8
RF 24-105mm f/4
RF 70-200mm f/2.8
Water Housing: 4x Aquatech for Canon R5 and Canon 5d Mark IV
AxisGo: for iPhone 14 Pro Max
GoPro: 9, 10, 11
Drone: Mavic 3 Pro
What surf level is required to join this experience?
Any surf level! The surf sessions will be run by experienced surf instructors who will look after you wherever you are on your surf journey.
What's included?
We've loaded the package with some amazing inclusions for a hassle-free holidays. Just roll-out of bed and all will be ready for you.
So what's included?
- All the activities mentioned in the schedule above (photography workshops led by Ana & Tommy, surf sessions under the eye of Xanadu instructors, yoga, sunset meditation, ice bath workshop)
- 7-night stay in a stunning hilltop location with ocean views
- Free shuttle to town (5-min drive)
- Meals: daily breakfasts, daily lunches, welcome & farewell dinners
- Car and boat transport to surf breaks
- Board rental
What's not included?
- Flights/boats to Lombok
- Travel insurance
- Airport/harbour transfer - if you wish, we can help you with the necessary arrangements. The cost of airport transfer is IDR 150,000 and fast boat harbour IDR 450,000.
- 5 dinners - only welcome and farewell dinners are included in the package. We've left some room for you to explore the town food scene:) We also have a restaurant at Xanadu Retreat should you wish to have stay in for dinner. See the menu here.
- Spa treatments
- Extra activities
How can I book?
You can book online - select your room and the week you wish to join and we'll see you in Lombok! Click here to reserve your spot.
To secure your booking 20% deposit is required.
What meals are included?
The retreat package includes:
- Hearty breakfast
- Thoughtfully created lunches
- Welcome dinner
- Farewell dinner
We also have a restaurant at Xanadu open throughout the day. See the menu here.
And if you'd like to explore the food scene in town, Xanadu Retreat is located a 5-min drive from all the restaurants and cafes in Kuta and we offer a free shuttle.
Can I bring a partner who will not be participating in the retreat?
Yes, you can! For partners who want to join we have two options available - a surf only package or a non-surfer option. Contact us for details.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve selected some of the most frequently asked questions about this experience. More questions and answers available in the link below.
Gallery
