WALES. THE AMERICAN WAY

Holding Space in North Wales: A Four-Day Photography Journey with Alena

Some workshops just flow. No forcing, no fixing — just the right person, the right place, and the kind of conditions where creativity comes alive. That’s exactly what unfolded over four days in North Wales, where I had the pleasure of leading a one-to-one photography experience with Alena, who’d flown in all the way from the USA.

From the start, she brought a sharp eye, steady enthusiasm, and a curiosity that made the whole process feel alive. We weren’t ticking off landmarks — we were exploring light, mood, weather, and landscape with complete focus and total freedom.

The base for the workshop was a quiet spot tucked into the hills — old stone buildings, wild skies, and landscapes that change by the minute. Each day was built around the light. We’d scout scenes, chase weather fronts, and respond to what the land gave us — from sun-split valleys to moody cloud-covered ridges.

One of the defining moments of the week was our session at South Stack on the Isle of Anglesey. This wasn’t a side trip — it was a key part of the workshop. We timed it for night shooting, aiming to capture the Milky Way over the cliffs and lighthouse. The setup was cold, windy, and perfect. We layered up, checked gear, and waited as the stars slowly revealed themselves.

There’s nothing quite like shooting astrophotography in a place like that — exposed, silent, vast. We played with long exposures, adjusted focus by torchlight, and pushed our cameras to the edge of their capabilities. That session delivered more than just images — it delivered perspective. You could feel the scale of it all. It was the kind of night that stays with you.

In between shoots, we covered editing techniques, composition work, and plenty of time reviewing images — not in a classroom way, but in a natural, back-and-forth flow. Alena’s technical skills sharpened fast, but it was her eye for story and atmosphere that really came through.

And then there was the lighter side. Alena made it her mission to learn as many British slang words as possible — “chuffed,” “knackered,” “dodgy,” and more. Hearing her test them out mid-shoot with a straight face was comedy gold. Somewhere between reviewing histograms and waiting for golden hour, there was a lot of laughter.

By the end of the fourth day, we had more than just a hard drive full of solid work. There was a genuine sense of momentum — like something had clicked. The kind of shift that only happens when you’re fully immersed, miles from distraction, focused on craft and place.

Workshops like this are what I love most — real connection, proper time to go deep into process, and the kind of setting that pulls the best out of both photographer and facilitator.

To Alena — thanks for showing up with curiosity, commitment, and a brilliant sense of humour.
To the Welsh weather — thanks for keeping it dramatic, in all the right ways.
And to anyone thinking about levelling up their photography in wild places — this is your sign.

Behind the Scenes: Gear, Tips & Thoughts

Packing Tips:

• Waterproofs are non-negotiable in North Wales — the weather can change on a dime.

• Layers are key, especially for late-night shoots. Think thermal base, fleece, and a proper down jacket.

• A sturdy pair of hiking boots is a must — we covered rocky coastal paths and muddy forest tracks.

Camera Kit for Astrophotography at South Stack:

• Alena used a Nikon D750 paired with a fast wide-angle lens — a solid setup for low-light and night shooting.

• I worked with my Nikon D850, which handled the dynamic range and fine detail of the stars and landscape beautifully.

• We both used sturdy tripods (wind is no joke on those cliffs) and headlamps with red light mode to protect night vision.

• Intervalometers helped us manage long exposures without introducing shake, and we experimented with different ISO and shutter settings to get the best star clarity without too much noise.

A Few Lessons From Running This Workshop:

• One-to-one sessions let you dive deep — no distractions, no fixed agenda, just full flexibility to follow light, weather, and creative instinct.

• North Wales remains one of the best spots for moody, dramatic landscape work in the UK. The variety in just a few square miles is unreal.

• Shooting the Milky Way doesn’t get old. Ever. Especially when you get to share that experience with someone seeing it clearly for the first time.