This has been a long time coming, the first batch of photographs of the Slow Living Workshop at the historic farmhouse, Glenmore House, that I taught with Luisa Brimble and Rebekka Seale this past September. An especially huge thank you to Claire Dickson-Smith, Hetty of Arthur Street Kitchen, and The Floury Baker for providing us with amazing meals—you worked so hard & everything was just beyond all expectations. Food is the heart of these gatherings, and you ladies made it unforgettable. And a big thanks to Stacey Clark for her helping hands.
Rebekka & I arrived at a beautiful flat near the sea on our first day. And that’s where we finally met Luisa. When you know someone’s work, it’s easy to forget that you don’t actually know the person. That you can only know a person by meeting them. Luisa in person is earth and effervescence and unmitigated and a confirmation that being a human being is pretty alright. She’s a wonderful person, and a dear friend, and never in my wildest dreams could I imagine how much I’d love her in real life. Lucked out. And that’s pretty much how we felt the entire time we were in Australia.
I remember it was blustery & cold and that the waves crashing on the shore were ferocious and frustrating—frustrating because my lens couldn’t get close enough, couldn’t seem to do them justice. Every Australian I met seemed to see fit to apologize for the weather, and I also remember that there didn’t ever seem to be enough time. It was a whirlwind. Nights eating Japanese food with Luisa, mornings picking Stacey up at the airport in a girlish fit, and an afternoon meeting Aaron at Studio Neon for sandwiches. Each moment spiraling into relationships, projects, and friendships that far exceeded any anticipation I could have ever had. We, too soon it seemed, left Sydney for Melbourne where it happened all over again. And that’s a story for the next post about this trip. Something I’m learning about myself as a I travel is that places are, in the end, constellations of people for me. Food, beauty, history. Those can only ever be a bonus. I don’t fall in love with places. I fall in love with people. Over and bloody over again. It’s starting to feel like I’m leaving chunks of my heart like trinkets all over the globe. It hurts. But it’s worth it. I can see the virtue in keeping your heart intact, but in the end, for me, a heart’s made for giving away.
I’ll be reconvening with an amazing team this coming April in Byron Bay for a creative retreat. I’ll be hosting & teaching it with Rebekka Seale of Camellia Fiber Co., Luisa Brimble, and Aaron Teece of Studio Neon. And my new Aussie friend (that I incidentally met in Tennessee) Lean of the wonderful blog Lean & Meadow will be there lending a helping hand as well. We’re going to be setting up a miniature village of bell tents on the grounds of a cottage with a big garden, and the days will be spent doing everything from foraging to natural fiber dye to weaving to photography and styling and more. And of course plenty of communal meals, lively conversation, and amazing food from Aaron and his Studio Neon team. There are a handful of spots available if you’d like to join us. Tickets are two payments of $1350 AUD ($1040 USD / €960 EUR), and it will be from April 16-20. You can find more information, details, and photos of the property as well as purchase ticketsat Local Milk Retreats now!
Every single one of these photos is absolutely beautiful!
These pictures are absolutely stunning – love the colors and the enviroment!
such gorgeous images!
Photo’s have stunning visual appeal! So lovely, like going on a trip for free.
It’s interesting to hear about how, what , who you connect with you on your travels, I tend to feel an immense pull to the landscape of a place and come home with a suitcase full of bark, twigs, bones …. *sneaking through customs*
Your images have been gobbled up, your photography is absolutely beautiful, think I’ll take a second helping! Looking forward to reading about the rest of your Antipodean journey.
Beautiful shots! I’m so glad you had such a good time here!
everything about this post is absolutely stunning.
Amazing photos! What an amazing place/gardens!
Simply the most beautiful blog. Just beautiful.
This post is so lovely, Beth. You have such a gift. xx
Your photography is stunning and the beautiful settings, oh, I wish I was there.
Nice photos… what kind of filter (or PS action) did you use??
THis overload of beauty is quite what I keep returning to ypur blog for, Beth. THese photos are stunning, they immediately made me fantasize of another life, another world, they inspired me at each picture, my idea filling with ideas of things I would like to do, photograph, create, in terms of beauty and homemaking. These pictures – as many others that you have taken and shared with us, your readers – are aspirational, besides inspirationa, they make me feel like I can do better at my own life, and create a better living, a better home, a better environment for my family. SOme of them made my heart beat real fast, they touched me so much. Thank you for your generosity in sharing these moments with us.
http://bloglairdutemps.blogspot.pt/
How beautiful Beth!
What a beautiful way to start the day! I could feel the amazing care that had been taken in such a wonderful post and as if that wasnt enough, the creativity and beauty amazing – thank you! It is gorgeous! Deb
These remarkable photographs reminds me so much of Picnic at Hanging Rock. Just an instinctual thing, although some wouldn’t see the connection. But so many nostalgic things come alive in these accurate depiction of the garden of earthly delights. Very very beautiful!
Your photographs are, as always, SO beautiful and evocative.
I love your photo too. Every single is so worderful. I like the color of these.
I absolutely love your composition on these shots!
So wish I could join you in one of your workshop! Dream, dream! These pictures are dreamy!
http://www.allnnothing.com
Just looking at these gorgeous photos totally calmed me.
Love visiting your space – revitalising!
Stunningly beautiful on so many levels – your photography (goes without saying), but your written imagery as well. You are a true artist. Pinning…
That looks so beautiful! I wish I had time to bake pies and garden.
Danika Maia
http://www.danikamaia.com
WOW! I have just found your blog and can confirm that I absolutely love it, its beautiful! What camera do you use because your pictures are incredible
It would mean a lot if you could check out my blog:http://snapgracklepop.blogspot.co.uk
As a long-standing proponent of the Slow Movement, this looks amazing. Gorgeous photos — super jealous of all the fun!
This looks like a dream! Stunning job.
Wow!! Your photography is AMAZING!!! I will certainly be back for more.
So lovely to have been a part of this and to have met you Beth, hope to see you next time you’re here! xx
this environment is just perfection!!!
https://aspoonfulofnature.wordpress.com/
Such an insanely beautiful setting!
– rocionaval.blogspot.com x
The photography on this website is out of this world. I just want to get lost in the pictures x
The table setting is absolutely beautiful!! Wonderful blend of rustic and romantic. I love it!
Coco
COCOCOZY
**i love your blog, your style, the wonderful photos, the storys… Thank you!
Thank you for sharing such beautiful photos and stories. I hope one day to join a workshop of yours!
Gorgeous photos, Beth. You always capture the light so beautifully.
merci pour cet article bien complet.
What do you do when there is sun? I notice that you avoid the sun in your photos, is matters of light.
I too love your photos and would love to know more about how to capture such photos. Incidentally I LOVE that you are from Tennessee.
Your photography is beautiful! x
-Alissa
This just makes me so happy looking at how simple tones and objects can be captured so.
I am also drooling all over my keyboard at the site of multiple rows of communal slices of sweet tart!
Is there any way to get a recipe, or even an indication of the type of tart from your lovely shots?
x
Beautiful, inspiring styling as always!
I just discovered your blog and I’m in love. I’ve been following on Instagram for a little while but decided to check your blog out today and I’m so glad I did. This place and these pictures are so lovely. I just want to be there! Haha
Beautiful photography, captured my imagination!
Aww the photography is fantastic and the setting looks so gorgeous, almost something that you’d see in movies.
Hey Beth,
I’m traveling to Australia in a few weeks for a workshop with Luisa Brimble and Marta Greber. I’ll be in Sydney for a few days on either end of the trip and was wondering if you had recommendations for a place to stay?
Thanks so much,
Sasha