RAVVIVARE
Creative Retreat
Join me, Eva Kosmas Flores, and the incredibly talented photographer + videographer Silvia Bifaro for a 4-day retreat in the rolling hills of Tuscany, tucked just outside the breathtaking city of Lucca. This retreat is about evoking emotion through visual storytelling, honing your photo + video skills, connecting through images + written word, and helping you set and realize personal & professional goals in order to create the life you want.
As spring symbolizes growth, awakening, renewal and possibility, the theme for our springtime retreat is Ravvivare, which means 'to enliven' in Italian. We’ll focus on enriching our artistic skillsets, living life to the fullest, immersing ourselves in the richness of Italian culture, proliferating ideas, and reviving our inspiration and creativity after the dormancy of winter.
Come prepared for beautiful dramatic Italian-inspired scenes ready for you to capture, whether through photos or video. Eva and Silvia will be there to provide guidance and hands-on support for any questions you have. We'll also create different scenes together as a group, so you can learn from others while sharing your own insight. There will also be both guided and free-form shooting periods, as well as local cultural activities including olive oil tasting in a (very) nearby olive oil orchard, wine tasting at a local winery just a walk down the lane, and a traditional gnocchi making class with Silvia, using her grandmother's recipe. You can refer to the schedule further down for a more structured breakdown of the retreat.
Our workshop will be nourished by a local Italian chef, who'll prepare bright and fresh Mediterranean dishes with seasonal spring produce. We can accommodate dietary restrictions, as well, just make sure to fill out the survey you'll receive in your welcome email after registering.
We ask that you come with a creative goal in mind for the retreat that's feasible to accomplish during our days together. It can be a style of image you'd like to create, it can be a video technique you'd like to master, or simply a desire for a new headshot.
It's my hope that those who join us will walk away with fresh eyes for seeing the world, a mind brimming with ideas, a heart filled with creative courage, lasting friendships, and memories to tide them over until we meet again.
April 13th 16th, 2026
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TUSCANY
Your Journey Begins Here
WHERE:
Your home-away-from-home will be villas Barsocchini and Valle del Sole, nestled between olive groves and vineyards a 10-minute drive outside the city of Lucca. Lodging is split between villa Barsocchini and villa Valle del Sole, and the two are just a 15 minute walk from each other. The workshop activities will take place at Villa Barsocchini. If you're staying at villa Valle del Sole and don't want to walk, we can do a pick up and drop off in the morning and after dinner. Both villas have private swimming pools. You can choose which suits you best in the drop down menu at registration.
HOW TO GET THERE:
The airport closest to the retreat is Pisa International Airport (PSA), and it's about 30 minutes from the retreat location. You can hire a car service or rent a car to get to the retreat location from the airport, the address will be sent to you in your welcome email. Usually attendees coordinate going in on a car service or rental together through the private WhatsApp group we have for workshop attendees.
WELCOME NOTE + WHATSAPP GROUP:
Within 3 days of registering you will receive a welcome email with details about what to pack, the venue's address, and additional information to help you plan your trip. You'll also receive a link to a secret WhatsApp group for workshop attendees only, so you can connect with our retreat members. Past attendees have met up in town before the workshop if they get into town early, have gone in on car services to and from the airport together, and even planned additional traveling after the workshop together. It's also a lovely way for us all to stay in touch post-workshop, too!
EQUIPMENT + GEAR:
We recommend bringing your camera or smart phone; any kind of camera body is welcome (DSLR or mirrorless works great). A lightweight travel-friendly tripod will be handy for shooting video (if you have space in your suitcase). A laptop is handy if you want to follow along during the photo + video editing demonstrations, but you're welcome to just watch our editing on the big screen and soak it in, as well!
WHO IS IT FOR:
Creative folks from all ages and walks of life are welcome. You do not need to be an established photographer or blogger to join (but we can help you get there!)
ITALIAN COOKING:
We are very lucky to have a local chef who will be cooking bright and seasonal regional Tuscan Italian dishes for us. We will also have a gnocchi making class with Silvia as a part of the retreat. We can accommodate dietary restrictions (including gluten free! Eva is gluten-free as well), just let us know upon registering.
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
All lodging and meals are included in the workshop's duration. Prices listed are per person, space is limited to 12 attendees.
Monday April 13th
Arrive at 9 am for a morning start, storytelling photoshoots, demonstration inspired by Italian painters, gnocchi making class + photos
Tuesday April 14th
Video techniques, business round table, in-depth Lightroom editing, styling + shooting a dramatic table scene together, olive oil tasting
Wednesday April 15th
Creating movement + playing with light, the art of the food memoir creative writing session, local wine tasting & portraiture
Thursday April 16th
Video editing session, guests depart by 12 pm
THE SCHEDULE
Eva Kosmas Flores & Silvia Bifaro
YOUR HOSTS
Your hosts and teachers during the retreat are award-winning photographers and authors Eva Kosmas Flores and Silvia Bifaro. Eva has written and photographed her own two cookbooks and is currently writing her third. She's also shot four other cookbooks including the James Beard Award-Winning Everyone's Table. She has worked with a wide variety of brands as a photographer, stylist, and influencer.
Silvia is an Italian food photographer living in London. She's assisted in magazines and editorials and worked creator for worldwide brands. She loves teaching food photography, and her mission & passion is to help creative folks develop their abilities & fast forward their photography skills.
“It was all heartfelt, delicious, unforgettable, and an experience that has changed me for the better.”
- Mimi Moutafchieva, Marie Lou Photography
This was the workshop of my dreams! Meeting some of my inspirations come to life and to work side by side with them is something I can now check off my Wishlist. When you combine a beautiful view of only French vineyards, daily gourmet food, passionate individuals, and an old house filled with stories to tell, you have a recipe for a lifetime experience to remember! When I look back at all the photos I took, each day is relived in my head like a movie on film, dreaming I could wake up to the view of green hills and the fig tree just under my bedroom window.
I was one of the youngest participants there and therefore, I didn't really know what to expect other than from what I had seen in the pictures from previous workshops. It was definitely all very new to me, exciting, and has made me a more mature photographer through this experience.
Everyday was just a joy to be part of such a lovely group of ladies, working together, making new friends from different points of the world, exchanging ideas, engaging in conversations over a glass of Bordeaux wine under candlelit dinners, what more could you ask for! Thank you to Eva for putting together such a wonderful experience I will treasure forever! It was all heartfelt, delicious, unforgettable, and an experience that has changed me for the better.
...all you need to do is pack your bags, grab your digital camera or iPhone and show up. We’ve got the rest covered! All delicious meals, beverages, and excursions are included in the workshop. Just relax—focus on learning, having fun, eating well, connecting with others, and creating in your stunning surroundings!
It's time for your adventure.
Relax, let go, + let us immerse you in the magic of Tuscany
"My expectations were totally exceeded"
There is something to say for when you get the opportunity to be in the midst of someone you admire in your field. To spend a few days watching how they work, listening to their advice and soaking up as much information as you possibly can that leaves you feeling blessed.
I had the pleasure of attending my first workshop with Eva two years ago, held in Iceland. My expectations were totally exceeded.
Besides the wonderful food & beauty that surrounded me daily I was amongst some of the most amazing ladies. The talent, joy, enthusiasm, passion, and drive that sat around the table daily was the biggest reward of this workshop. Coming from all over the world, with different levels of experience, we came together and shared our passion for Photography."
Andrea Coan
"We were chatting & telling each other stories like we'd known each other forever"
The days I spent with Eva & company in Istria were truly glorious. I learned a lot about food photography and styling and feel confident now to get to the next level. I also got to know a bunch of fabulously interesting women from all over the world. We were chatting and telling each other stories like we'd known each other forever. This kind of connection feels very special to me. I went home with a head full of inspiration and ideas and a heart full of gratitude. Thank you Eva and team for creating a truly unique, creative and amazing experience.
"It was the best days of my life!"
Those days were so relaxing and full of good memories, so warm (because of the people!), inspirational and, of course, sooo tasty! The food was really incredible!...To be honest, it was my very first trip outside of Russia, and it was the best days of my life! I got much more than I expected.
Notes from previous attendees
Dasha Ustinova
Jozefien Ryckx Goestjes
"They are passionate about sharing their love and knowledge of the creative industry"
I am so happy to have discovered these all encompassing photography workshops. Every workshop is a unique opportunity to rub shoulders and learn from the best professionals in the industry. They are passionate about sharing their love and knowledge of the industry and have perfected the workshop adventure by finding fantastic villas or historic homes to occupy while they dive in and create an experience (and food) in amazing settings. Magic happens when you spend four concentrated days learning from them; two top notch professionals that graciously share their individual artistry through stylized meals in beautiful settings. I have made great strides in my own photography!
Beryl Striewsky
“Not sure if workshop is the right word to describe this event. It is more of a lifetime experience and a unique journey...”
- Joelle Kanaan, Photographer
My dream came true when I joined one of Eva's workshops in October 2016, in Istria, Croatia. Not sure if workshop is the right word to describe this event. It is more of a lifetime experience and a unique journey.
I found myself sharing these ladies passion, learning from them in the most natural and fulfilling way, exchanging ideas and thoughts with a group of participants from each and every corner of the globe. It is all in the little details that they transmitted to me that made a huge difference in my food styling and photography career. It is all these meals and gatherings we shared together that enriched my soul, in such a short time.
Whenever I have the time and means, I will surely not hesitate twice about joining these ladies events again and again and again, because I'm pretty sure that the more time I spend around them, the more I will learn and grow.
