Ballan Photography Retreat – Flack Studio, Ballan

There are moments in photography where everything just aligns… the space, the light, the styling, and the people.

The Ballan Photography Retreat was built around that idea.

Held over two full days at the stunning Flack Studio in Ballan, this retreat was designed to be immersive, hands-on and creatively expansive. With a mix of natural light and controlled studio setups, each session was carefully styled to explore mood, storytelling and the art of portraiture in a more intentional way.

Working in small groups allowed photographers to slow down, observe, direct and truly connect with both the light and the subject, rather than simply capturing what was in front of them.

The Location

Flack Studio, located at 140 Inglis Street, Ballan, provided the perfect backdrop for the weekend.

From its beautifully textured interiors to the soft, directional window light that pours through the space, it offered a range of environments that allowed each concept to feel distinct, yet cohesive. The combination of natural light rooms and controlled studio areas made it possible to move between styles seamlessly across the weekend.

The Creative Team

This retreat would not have been what it was without the incredible team involved.

Models
Skye Medusa
Holly Mackenna
Jesi Faun
Nicola Paige

Each model brought something completely unique to their sessions, allowing for a diverse range of interpretations across the same concepts.

Hair
Rose Thorogood

Makeup
Jolie Nguyen

Hair and makeup played a huge role in bringing each concept to life, from soft vintage glamour through to more structured and stylised editorial looks.

Session Themes

Each session across the weekend was designed with a distinct visual identity, while still allowing room for creative interpretation.

Gothic & Hollywood Glamour - Skye Medusa & Holly Mackenna

Dark, dramatic and textured. This session focused on shaping light to create depth, mood and strong character-driven portraits.

Great Gatsby Glamour - Skye Medusa & Holly Mackenna

Inspired by 1920s elegance, this set embraced classic styling, pearls, gloves and soft cinematic lighting to create timeless imagery.

Vintage Glamour - Jesi Faun & Nicola Paige

A softer, more refined approach, drawing on classic Hollywood influences with an emphasis on simplicity, posing and beautiful light.

Lolita Grunge – Marie Antoinette Inspired

This took my whole team - Models Jesi & Nicola, Hair by Rose and Makeup by Jolie. Costume andf styling be me!

A modern interpretation of historical styling. This session blended delicate textures, pastel tones and structured elements with a slightly edgy, contemporary feel.