Spirit of the Mountains.
Exclusive Carneddau Pony Retreat.
April 16-18 2027 | AVAILABLE
Sept 24-26 2027 | AVAILABLEJoin an intimate weekend retreat in the heart of the Carneddau, where ponies, dramatic landscapes and creative photography come together
Where Wild Heritage Lives.
Escape to the mountains of North Wales for an intimate photography retreat with the iconic free-roaming Carneddau ponies.
Limited to just four photographers, Spirit of the Carneddau is designed for those looking for more than a traditional photography workshop. Over two full days, we’ll explore the mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia), photographing these remarkable ponies in their natural environment while working with changing light, weather and landscape.
Your stay includes two nights in an authentic Welsh cottage, with home-cooked meals and relaxed evenings around the fire. Between photography sessions, there’s time to slow down, share stories and enjoy the unique atmosphere of being immersed in the heart of the Carneddau.
With personalised tuition, creative guidance and image reviews throughout the weekend, the retreat is as much about developing your photography as it is about experiencing this extraordinary landscape.
A small group. Two days in the mountains. Ponies, changing conditions and the freedom to create.
Stay. Slow Down. Connect.
High above the valleys of North Wales, the Carneddau ponies have lived alongside this rugged landscape for generations. Hardy, independent and perfectly adapted to their environment, they are as much a part of the mountains as the weathered peaks and open moorland that surround them.
The character of the Carneddau changes constantly. Mist can roll across the mountains in minutes, sunlight can break through dramatic skies, and the same landscape can feel completely different from one hour to the next. For a photographer, that unpredictability is part of its magic.
I’ve spent many years photographing these mountains and their ponies, learning their behaviour, their rhythms and the places where the landscape comes alive. That knowledge allows me to take you beyond simply finding the ponies and towards understanding how to photograph them within their environment. This is about learning to see the landscape, anticipate the moment and use the conditions creatively creating photographs that capture not just a pony, but a sense of place, atmosphere and wildness.
AUTHENTIC WELSH EXPERIENCE
Your Mountain Retreat
Throughout the weekend, our base will be a beautiful traditional Welsh cottage nestled on the edge of the Carneddau a warm and characterful home that gives the retreat a real sense of place.
Each morning begins with a relaxed breakfast and fresh coffee at the cottage before we head into the mountains for the day. With the best of the day’s light ahead of us, we’ll spend time exploring the landscape, photographing the ponies and making the most of whatever conditions the mountains throw our way. After a full day in the mountains, we’ll return to the warmth of the cottage to unwind, look through our images and share stories from the day.
As evening arrives, my partner Cate will prepare a home-cooked meal, followed by relaxed evenings around the fire, talking photography, wildlife and the adventures of the day.
It’s deliberately unhurried and informal a few days of mountain air, wild ponies, good food and the simple pleasure of staying in a traditional Welsh cottage.
Why Join The Retreat?
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TWO DAYS. TWO UNIQUE LANDSCAPES.
Explore two carefully selected locations within the Carneddau, each offering a different setting, atmosphere and creative opportunity. From open mountain ridges to sheltered valleys, you’ll work with changing light, weather and perspective to create images that capture not just the ponies, but the wild character and sense of place that makes the Carneddau so unique.
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PHOTOGRAPHY WITH PURPOSE
Move beyond simply documenting the ponies and develop a more thoughtful, creative approach to your photography. Throughout the weekend, you'll learn to see beyond the obvious, using light, composition and atmosphere to transform ordinary encounters into meaningful images that tell a deeper story of these remarkable animals and their connection to the wild Carneddau mountains.
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SMALL GROUPS. PERSONAL GUIDANCE.
Limited to just four photographers, the retreat offers a relaxed and genuinely personal experience. With individual guidance throughout the weekend, you’ll be encouraged to look beyond the technical, experiment with light, composition and perspective, and develop a more creative approach to photographing the ponies and their environment.
Investment: £699 (25% Deposit Secures Your Place)
Group Size: 4
Workshop Leader: Kevin Morgans
Included
2 nights' accommodation in an authentic Welsh cottage
2 full days of guided photography with the Carneddau ponies
Breakfast each morning & 2 home-cooked evening meals (Lunch also provided)
Personal photography tuition & guidance throughout
Image reviews & creative feedback
Excluded
Travel To/From North Wales
Personal Insurance
Logistics: Arrive Accomodation 6.30pm near Conwy on first day of trip. Depart in your own time on the final day.
Fitness Level: Medium (Uneven and Uphill walking required)
Duration: 2 Nights
Enquire Now
Experience the Spirit of the Mountains
If photographing the Carneddau ponies in their mountain home has ever been on your bucket list, this is your invitation to experience them differently.
Over two days, we’ll explore two very different locations within the Carneddau, working with the changing light, weather and landscape to create images with atmosphere, character and a real sense of place.
With just four photographers on each retreat, there’s time to slow down, explore, learn and enjoy the experience without the feel of a conventional group workshop.
Email: kevinmorgans@outlook.com