I stalk destination photography workshops. I can admit it. I have always had a hard time to deciding on one- as all the destinations look so inviting and exotic and each of the hosting photographers has such a unique style.

Thanks to good ol’ Instagram I discovered a photography workshop that was being held in upper New York State (across the river in Pennsylvania just outside of the village of Calicoon). It was driveable from Niagara and was on a weekend where my husband was free to manage the household. He practically shooed me out of the house as I think he was happy I was finally committing to a workshop rather than making lists of the pros and cons of each destination.

So, on a Friday morning – I crossed the border and drove the scenic five hours south arriving in the Catskills in the mid afternoon. (thanks to And North for tuning me in to places to explore).  As usual, I arrived a little out of breath – having gambled on how much sight-seeing I could squeeze in prior to arriving at Deer Hill Farm – the 250 acre private estate with a tree-lined drive and stone wall entrance which would be our home base for the next three days.

The workshop was stellar from start to finish. Each meal was expertly prepared (thank you to Rosy, Christy and Jeanette) and gorgeously styled. Everywhere you looked there seemed to be a scene from a magazine and the five participants (from East Coast to West to Australia- hello Danni, Justine, Esha, Jessica!) snapped furiously away and tried to absorb as much as possible from our crazy talented hosts –Christianne Koepke and Ashley and Mike Alexander of Gather and Feast.

It really did seem like a dream while we there. The attention to detail, the food, the companionship, the wine, the conversation, the friendships created- brilliantly done!