Menu
Welcome to the Something New Retreat—a retreat created for wedding photographers looking to grow their skillset, international portfolio, and photo community. This retreat has been carefully planned and designed to ensure each attendee leaves with their own “Something New”—just like the wedding-day tradition that inspired its name. Whether it’s a new mindset that revolutionizes the way you run your business, new techniques for creating beautiful compositions in your photos, a new photographer friend (or six!) to connect with, or a new stamp in your passport, this retreat will be a time filled with learning, growth, and connection.
I hope you’ll join me on this journey of discovering your “something new” today!
xo. marissa
- Everyone arrives to the villa
- Welcome drinks and watch the sun set!!!
- Welcome dinner and get to know each other at the villa
The POSiTANO Itinerary
september
23rd
- Morning “Pool Party” Styled Shoot
- Coffee + breakfast at the villa
- Pool day
- Lunch
- Evening Wedding Styled Shoot
- Dinner out in Positano
september
24th
- Coffee + breakfast
- Morning education and Q&A
- Beach day in Positano
- “Rehearsal Dinner” Styled Shoot
september
25th
- Breakfast at the villa
- Boat excursion!!!
- Dinner out and about
september
26TH
- Coffee + breakfast + last questions
- Goodbyes!
september
27th
Your Host
Hi, Marissa here! I’m a wedding photographer based in Chicago, and I’m so happy you’re here and considering joining me for an adventure in Santorini!!! This retreat is going to combine so many things I love most in this world (and I hope you feel the same way): photographing couples in love, beautiful places, good company, delicious food and drinks, and sharing my knowledge about photography with other wedding photographers to help them overcome roadblocks in their businesses!
Traveling to new places (abroad and domestically) is one of my favorite things. Internationally, I’ve been lucky enough to travel to England, France, Germany, India, Argentina, Peru, Colombia, Mexico, Ireland, Scotland, Greece, Italy, Costa Rica, and Chile. I can’t wait to add another Italy stamp to my passport in September!!
Apart from taking photos of couples in love and planning my next trip with 20-deck slideshows, I like to spend my free time trying new recipes, checking out new restaurants around Chicago, and waiting for One Direction to get back together.
Check out some of my work
inquire here
Our villa is located in Positano (just a ten minute walk from the city center!) and features a large terrace with a breathtaking view over Positano and the coast.
With five bedroom and six bathrooms in the villa, each attendee will share a bedroom with one other person, and each duo will get their own bathroom.
accommodations
Note: like many properties in Positano, the villa is only accessible by steps (400 of them!) so please be aware of this before booking your ticket on the retreat.
If you have a preference for who you room with, please include that information upon booking your tickets.
The villa also includes an outdoor pool, an indoor hot tub, and private access to a secluded beach below the villa (which is shared with other facilities from the family-owned rental company).
inquire here
investment
Four nights of accommodations in a luxury villa with sea + city views, a pool, and secluded beach access
All meals included
Wedding styled shoot
Rehearsal dinner styled shoot
Pool/beach party styled shoot
Wedding photography education from Marissa Kelly Photography
One-on-one check-in call with Marissa after returning from Italy
Boat excursion around the Amalfi Coast
early bird pricing: $5500
standard pricing: $6000
Sign up for early bird pricing
WHO IS THIS RETREAT FOR?
This retreat is for wedding + elopement photographers (or videographers) looking to grow their international portfolios and photography + business toolsets, to meet and connect with other photographers, and to experience Something New™ (lol).
WILL YOU BE OFFERING PAYMENT PLANS FOR THE COST?
I will! After you pay your 50% retainer to book your spot on the retreat, the remaining total will be split into two payments so that 25% is due in July and 25% is due in August. And if you need one additional payment to further split it, we can make that happen!
ARE TICKETS REFUNDABLE?
Once you pay your retainer to hold your spot on the retreat, it is non-refundable. You are, however, welcome to transfer your spot to another photographer if you are unable to attend. The recipient of the ticket must also be approved prior to participation—and every attendee will need to sign a contract to attend—so get in touch if you need to transfer your spot to another photographer and we’ll work together to get them signed up in your place.
HOW MANY ATTENDEES WILL THERE BE?
It’s super important to me that each attendee will be able to get the content they want at all of the styled shoots, plus get personalized attention throughout the experience, which is why there will be 8 slots available.
HOW MANY STYLED SHOOTS WILL THERE BE?
There will be three styled shoots total, with the combination of the three emulating a full destination-wedding weekend. There will be one welcome/rehearsal dinner styled shoot, one wedding styled shoot, and one featuring a day-after pool party.
DO I HAVE TO STAY IN THE VILLA WITH THE GROUP?
I strongly encourage everyone to stay at the villa so we can get to know each other during our down time! That being said, it will not be required. The price of the ticket will remain the same even if you find your own accommodations.
The best route to get to Positano is to fly into the Naples International Airport. From there, it’s a little over an hour drive to Positano. There is also a ferry between the two that drops off directly in the Port of Positano (roughly a two-hour ferry ride).
HOW SHOULD I GET TO POSITANO?
Your flights to and from Italy are not included in the ticket price. Any drinks out and about are also not included in the price, but all of your meals are!
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?
Before we head to Italy, we’ll start a group chat to start getting to know each other—and for texting about logistics (packing lists, travel plans, etc.)!
WILL WE BE ABLE TO MEET YOU AND THE OTHER ATTENDEES AHEAD OF TIME?
SIGN UP FORM
Testimonial
“Oh, Marissa Kelly. There's so much to say about Marissa but I'll try to keep it short. I booked Marissa for a mentorship because I have looked up to her work for forever, and it's safe to say that it was one of my best decisions I made for my business!! Marissa, while incredibly talented, is a savvy businesswoman with a sweet and adoring personality. She has so much heart in everything she does, and she approached our mentorship with intentionality and love.
It safely can be said that she approaches her entire business with that same mindset and her clients are the luckiest!”
— Jayde A.