Turning Photography
into Art
7 Days in Costa Rica to Transform your Photography
May 31 - June 6, 2025
Fenix Hotel & Retreat Center in Samara, Costa Rica
EXCLUSIVE RETREAT
Create captivating photos in paradise
and transform them into art.
$2500 per person
Only 8 spots left!
$1733 per person
( Only $300 deposit! )
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What is the Photography into Art Retreat?
7 Days in Costa Rica to Transform your Photography: Create captivating photos in paradise and transform them into art, no Photoshop experience needed.
Learn Photography Skills:
Spend your days exploring with guided photography tours, and your evenings sharpening your skills in Photoshop workshops. Learn, create, and take home stunning visuals from your travels.
Who is this for: Whether you are a professional photographer or an enthusiast wanting to create art from your photography, all experience levels are welcome.
Our photographers generally have a DSLR or Mirrorless camera with detachable lenses, but all cameras will work. You will need a laptop and Photoshop.
About our Event Host: Lulu McPharlin
Lulu McPharlin is an interdisciplinary artist and photographer who specializes in connecting people to themselves, nature, and others through art experiences. She is renowned for creating alchemical surreal visual art and sensory-rich art installations and workshops.
Lulu creates visual works that explore themes of self-discovery, liberation, and the profound connections between humans, art, and nature.
Her approach encourages playful exploration and bold self-expression, offering tools to help participants connect deeply with their art, themselves, and the world around them.
At the "Turning Your Photography Into Art" retreat, Lulu will guide participants in elevating their photographic practice. Drawing inspiration from the beauty of nature, the freedom of travel, and each person's unique perspective, she will lead attendees through a journey of creative liberation and mindfulness--offering inspiration and insight that extends far beyond the lens.
Ocean Front Experience
Ocean Front
Fenix Hotel
Our guests at the Fenix Hotel enjoy stepping out of their rooms onto the white sand beach.
The property includes a small pool, hammocks and beach beds for everyone, and a quiet unpopulated beach front.
It is a WOW.
We are a 15-minute ocean stroll to the city center with 20+ restaurants. Close enough but far enough to get away from it all.
Your Room
Whether you are coming with a partner, a friend, or solo, our guests enjoy apartment-style hotel rooms with a main living area and full kitchen.
The regular event fee includes a shared room that sleeps two.
You may upgrade to a private room as well. If you are coming with a partner, you will each purchase your own spot.
All bedrooms have A/C.
Turning Photography into Art
The Workshops
Lulu specializes in photography double exposure and mixed-media art. You will not only enhance your photography skills but also learn how to turn your images into art.
Each morning, Lulu will guide us through a photography exploration, and each afternoon, we’ll dive into the post- processing techniques that transform your photos into powerful works of art.
Topics Included
- Shifting attention and focus: Seeing within and beyond
- Mindful Photography: Staying present while capturing the moment
- Intuitive Photography: Photography Assignment: “Only What Calls to You.”
- Storytelling through Symbols: how to capture emotion & essence
- Transforming Images into Art: learning the art of double exposure photography
Additional Events & Activities
Margarita Party
Enjoy live music and pineapple margaritas as you watch the sunset with new friends. This is a magical night that is often the highlight. INCLUDED.
Yoga on the Beach
Enjoy yoga overlooking the beach, led by our amazing staff of yoga teachers. INCLUDED.
Massage on Site
Our massage therapist can give you a private massage in your room or on the beach while you listen to the waves. OPTIONAL.
~ $70/person
Sunset Cruise
Enjoy unlimited drinks as we chase the sunset on this magical excursion. You might see whales! OPTIONAL.
~ $55/person.
Kayak to an Island
Free activity with event purchase! Enjoy a kayak tour exclusive to our group to an uninhabited island. Soak in the natural habitat, then head back for the sunset.
INCLUDED.
Your Daily Retreat Itinerary
Saturday
Arrive in Liberia Airport. You can rent a car at the airport (everyone speaks English) or you can coordinate a shuttle through us.
If you come in a shuttle, our favorite driver Alex will give you a mini tour of Costa Rica sights. You might see monkeys, stop at a local fruit stand, and can stop to get lunch. The drive is about an hour and 45 minutes through well-paved green mountain roads.
You will probably arrive in the late afternoon/early evening. Change into your beach attire, take off your shoes, and join us in the yoga shala for dinner and retreat welcoome.
Go to sleep with the sounds of the waves in your apartment on the beach.
Sunday
Wake up to fresh coffee overlooking the beach. Maybe take a walk down the beach and start exploring Samara Bay.
Your first workshop starts around 9-10am lead by the amazing artist Lulu. Each morning you will go on a guided photography outing and improve your photography skills.
Lunchtime: we will take everyone into town (a 15-minute walk) and show you the best restaurants.
Afternoon: Each afternoon you will take out your laptop and learn post-processing skills on Photoshop, even if you have never used it before.
Evening: Join us for a huge bonfire activity on the beach, where we will lead you through an exercise in letting go and embracing a new start. (Or just have some beers and dance around the fire. :)
Monday
Our very gentle yoga instructor Ashley will lead you through a meditation, followed by a gentle morning yoga routine overlooking the ocean waves.
After yoga and our morning photography workshop, join us in kayaking to an uninhabited island. This is a relaxing, non-strenuous paddle with our group to a close-by island. You might see turtles, pelicans, sting rays and definitely crabs.
After our evening session, we will walk to one of the cutest ocean front restaurants for dinner and drinks while we watch the sun go down.
Tuesday
Wake up this morning to partner yoga--a very connecting and sometimes hilarious feat as we use each other for balance. People who have never done yoga before often LOVE partner yoga!
After our morning photography workshop, get a boogie board lesson and grab a board to play in the waves. We are in a bay, so the waves are gentle and good for beginners.
After the afternoon skills workshop, we have an optional Dolphin and Whale watching tour in the evening. Chase the whales and the sunset in this boat tour with drinks included.
Wednesday
Today's photography focus is all about taking care of our natural resources.
After the afternoon skills workshop, you can book an optional massage on the beach today, and listen to the waves and feel the ocean breeze while you get a massage.
It's grill night with the whole group tonight as we all make and bring a dish to our communal dinner in the yoga shala.
Thursday
After our morning photography workshop, you will learn how to build and decorate a giant sand castle on the beach, and enjoy the entire community joining in to add shells and decorations as they walk by.
Our afternoon skills workshop will be an art gallery showcase of everything you have created while at the retreat.
After dinner we will celebrate our entire week together with a private Margarita party and live music. After the entertainment, we move the party to the pool.
Friday
The event officially ends Friday morning as you head back to the airport. However, many of our guests elect to stay longer, and tour Costa Rica together, or just stay a few more days relaxing in the hammocks. You can expect that you will make photography friends for life.
Travel FAQ's
Q: Do I need to bring adapters? Hair dryer?
Nope, regular plugs work fine. You won't need a hairdryer--your hair will dry in minutes with ocean breeze.
Q: What airport do I fly into? Do I need a passport?
Liberia, Costa Rica. Yes, you will need a passport.
Q: Is the area safe? For solo travelers?
Costa Rica is known for being very safe for all travelers. I have traveled all over latin America, and Costa Rica is the safest I have ever felt!
Q: Will there be people who aren't part of our group there?
Nope. The entire boutique resort will be filled with our retreat attendees.
Q: How much is airfare to Liberia Airport from the US?
The discount airlines Southwest and Alaska have round trip flights regularly for $500. If they don't fly in your area (or you prefer a more comfy seat!) expect to pay $700-$1000 roundtrip.
Q: What is the age group? Are kids allowed? Is this just for women?
All adults (men and women) are welcome. Most folks attending our retreats are 35+. No kids or babies will be at the event.
Q: How far are we from town?
About a 15-ish minute beach walk from Samara city center.
Q: Can I get a private room?
Yep, private rooms are available until they sell out. Just select the private room upgrade when you check out.
Q: Can I come solo? Or with a partner or friend?
We love our solo travelers. Feel free to come alone because you won’t be for long. Usually about half our group come solo.
You can come with a partner or friend, even if they want to vacation while you participate in workshops. Each person will purchase an individual spot for themselves.
Q: What if I'm not a professional photographer?
Not a problem at all! We welcome all skill levels of photography. Please understand however that we will not be teaching you how to use a camera. Please bring a camera you are already comfortable with.
Q: Do I need a laptop? Photoshop downloaded?
Yes! You will need your own laptop, not just a tablet. The interface of Photoshop is different on a tablet! You will also need Photoshop version 25 or newer already downloaded onto your computer.
Q: How big is Samara?
Samara is a quaint, travel-friendly beachfront town with 20+ restaurants and shops, banks, etc. It is not a party town.
Q: Can I do additional tours / excursions?
If you have dream to helicopter, zipline, or surf, we have tours for that and more. We'll have a list to choose from when you get here.
Q: Can I come early / stay after?
As long as the hotel has availability for those dates, absolutely. Contact us to book the hotel as a regular hotel guest outside of the event week. (This site is the only place to book a spot for this event.)
Q: What is the cancellation policy?
All payments including deposits and full payments are 70% refundable up to 90 days before the event. Payments are not refundable 90 days before the event. We recommend travel insurance!
Q: Should I rent a car?
You can rent a car at Liberia Airport to get to the retreat center. We can also coordinate a private or shared airport shuttle for you.
Q: Can I come for just a few days of the event?
The rate is for the entire week. You will pay the same whether you stay for all or a portion of the event.
Q: Do you offer payment plans?
Yes! We can do $300 down payment with the remainder due 30 days before the event.
We also accept AfterPay and Klarna (choices upon checkout). These offer lots of monthly payment options, some without any interest.
Q: Do I need to upgrade to a private room if I am coming with a partner or partners?
There is no need to upgrade to a private room if you are coming with a partner. Just let us know if you would like two twins or a king bed in your shared room. Both partners will pay regular attendance price.
Q: What kind of camera do I need?
Most of our photographers will have a DSLR or a Mirrorless camera with detachable lenses. However, we will be learning photography and post production skills that don't require an expensive camera. And yes! You can use your camera phone if it is capable of high resolution.
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