THE WILD GARDEN

2-Days Macro Photography Retreat & Workshop

Discover the tiny world of nature´s wonders and bring your macro photography to the next level!

 

Join me and fellow macro photographer Marit van Ekelenburg for a photography-packed and personal 2-day Macro Retreat Workshop Event “The Wild Garden” on August 29 & 30 2025 at the beautiful Olgarden in Deurningen, The Netherlands.

 

Let´s enjoy 2 days full of macro photography, technique talk and discovering nature and its inhabitants in a beautiful location together.

 

Let´s master focus stacking, discuss about creative compositions for macro, and learn all about our personal approaches to photographing tiny subjects.

 

All skill levels and camera brands are welcome, this is your chance to learn, explore, and connect with likeminded individuals.

 

— Gear up for your Macro Adventure — 

What is The Wild Garden?

This two day macro retreat workshop was born from the ideas and experiences from numerous macro photography workshops Marit did in her mother´s blooming garden.

 

To create the best conditions to combine both theoretical sessions and actual photographing, it made sense to stretch this to two days.

 

This means educational sessions in the afternoon, followed by the search for insects and spiders in the evening, and then get up super early next morning to photograph what we found the day before.

 

In a group that must be even more effective and promises lots of wonderful scenes and subjects to shoot!

 

Marit and I decided to team up for this event, to cover as much ground as possible and give you the best experience – and a great time of course!

Multilingual - We have you covered in the following languages: English, Dutch, German

What to expect

The Wild Garden
— 399,99 EURO —

 

 

The 29th and 30th of August 2025, everything will be in the spirit of macro photography.

Here´s what you can expect from The Wild Garden Retreat Workshop.

 

Friday Afternoon: Welcome & Gear Up

 

  • Arrive and settle in at Olgarden
  • Quick introductions, then straight into the action!
  • Gear talk and camera settings—OM System sets available to try (all brands and skill levels welcome!)

 

Evening: Explore & Connect

 

  • Guided stroll through the garden: learn how to approach insects and perfect your macro posture
  • Multilingual support. We speak Dutch, German, and English.
  • Dinner together in the garden, sharing stories and macro tips with like-minded enthusiasts

 

Night Session: Creative Techniques

 

  • Dive into composition, insect behavior, and focus bracketing
  • Evening bug hunt: put your new skills to the test!

 

*Note: Accommodation is not included. See below for local tips!*

 

Saturday Sunrise: Practice & Capture

 

  • Early morning meet-up (around 6AM) for a magical sunrise shoot
  • Apply what you’ve learned with hands-on guidance

 

 

Saturday Morning: Wrap-Up

 

  • Enjoy breakfast together
  • More time to shoot and chat
  • Farewells before lunchtime, leave inspired and ready for your next macro adventure!


— All levels welcome, whether you’re just starting out or already obsessed with macro. The Wild Garden is for anyone with a passion for macro photography! —

Contents & Topics

  • Gear
  • Settings
  • How to get close?
  • Posture during photographing
  • Focus bracketing
  • Colourful vs. black backgrounds
  • Composition
  • How and Why to use a Flash
  • How and Why to use a Diffuser
  • Observe Behaviour
  • Identify Bugs

 

We share our personal workflows and approach

What is included?

  • Entrance Fee Olgarden
  • Coaching Sessions and Presentations
  • Dinner on the 29th
  • Breakfast on the 30th
  • OM System testing gear
  • Snacks & Drinks

Your Coaches

Marit van Ekelenburg

Professional Macro Photographer from The Netherlands

Christian Brockes

Professional Macro Photographer from Germany

Location, Accomodation & Food

Olgarden is a private garden of 4000m2 on the outskirts of Deurningen in The Netherlands.

 

With more than 1500 species of plants, it’s an insect paradise.

In August the dahlia’s are in full bloom.

Their gorgeous colours are excellent, natural backdrops.

 

The garden features a big barn with a canopy which provides a dry spot should it rain.

A Toilet is inside the main building.

 

There is plenty of parking space on the side of the road, the street is a dead end.

Location:

Olgarden, Bornsedijk 18, 7561 RA Deurningen, Niederlande

Food:

We got you covered. There will be snacks, water, tea and coffee available at the location.

 

We will have dinner together in the garden, and breakfast the next morning as well – all included in the event´s price.

Accomodation:

For flexibility for everyone, accommodation isn’t included in the 2 Day Macro Retreat.

However, Marit has collected some recommendations, which you can find on her website´s event page.

Check these out here (right at the bottom of the page).

Discount Codes for Photography Gear

Don´t miss out on all the Discount Codes for various macro and wildlife photography gear and extra gimmicks.

You can find a list of all my current discount codes for different brands and products here.