Sights & Sounds of the French River
A Landscape Photography Retreat with Music
September 27th to 30th, 2026 season
2-Day Landscape Photography Workshop – French River, Ontario
For photographers of all levels
Join us for a two-day, immersive landscape photography workshop set along the breathtaking French River—one of Ontario’s most historic and visually striking regions. Designed for photographers of all experience levels, this workshop offers a blend of hands-on instruction, creative exploration, and time in nature, all guided by an experienced landscape photographer.
What to Expect
Over two days, you’ll learn how to see and capture landscapes with greater clarity, intention, and artistry. Each session combines practical teaching with time in the field, allowing you to immediately apply new techniques in real-world conditions.
Evenings feature relaxed photo sharing paired with a curated music-and-wine experience and live classical guitar, offering a calm, reflective close to each day.
Your Instructors
Paul Agro
Paul Agro is a retired pharmacist and semi-professional photographer based in the Hamilton area. His love of photography began early, when he received his first film camera and learned to develop images in a darkroom.
Over the years, Paul studied photography through Mohawk and Sheridan Colleges, enjoying the way it blends the science of optics with the art of composition.
He began in wildlife photography, travelling twice to East Africa to photograph animals and bird life. Since then, he has explored iconic landscapes in Japan, Scotland, Iceland, Italy, and across Canada. Paul believes that truly memorable photographs require patience, presence, and a willingness to work for the right moment to capture the essence of a place. In addition to landscapes, he enjoys creating headshots, studio portraits, and street photography.
Paul lives in Waterdown, Ontario, with his wife, Karen, and their two children.
Karen Agro
Karen Agro (BScPhm, PharmD, MSc), is a renowned classical guitarist, healthcare expert, and leader in sound therapy (British Academy of Sound Therapy Professional Diploma), delivering engaging and impactful keynotes and corporate workshops that teach teams how to enhance productivity, overcome creativity blocks, and unlock peak performance through the science-backed power of music.
With a proven track record of transforming leaders across the corporate sector, academia, and healthcare in Canada and the USA, Karen’s unique blend of education and entertainment—”edutainment”—promises an unforgettable experience.
As a pharmaceutical industry consultant who has spoken on stages across North America, Karen has the unique ability to combine her healthcare background with her lifelong passion for music. She delivers a fresh, science-driven approach that empowers corporate teams to work smarter, stay engaged, and achieve their best work through the transformative power of sound.
https://karenagro.com/
https://www.instagram.com/karenagroguitar/
https://www.facebook.com/karenagroguitar
https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-agro-3147893/
Highlights
- Golden & Blue Hour Shoots – Photograph the French River at its most magical. Participants will explore composition, light, and timing during sunrise, sunset, and twilight sessions.
- Mastering Camera Settings – Learn how to use aperture, shutter speed, ISO, filters, and focusing techniques to capture crisp, expressive images in varying conditions.
- Composition Deep-Dive – Understand how to use leading lines, foreground interest, balance, symmetry, color, and perspective to create compelling landscape photos.
- Field Guidance – Receive personalized coaching as you photograph riverscapes, rock formations, forests, and wide-open vistas.
- Creative Vision & Storytelling – Learn how to translate what you feel in a landscape into what you photograph.
- Small Group Experience – Limited group size ensures individual attention, supportive learning, and opportunities to ask questions at every level.
Who This Workshop Is For
What You’ll Leave With
- A stronger understanding of technical settings
- A trained eye for composition and light
- A set of French River images you’re proud of
- Increased confidence shooting in the field
- A refined artistic approach to landscape photography
Location
Set along the historic French River in northern Ontario, this workshop offers a mix of dramatic vistas, serene water scenes, rugged Canadian Shield formations, and endless opportunities for creative exploration.
Limited to 10 people
2026 Package Options and Fees
Accommodations & Fees:
Please choose one:
1) Private cottage
$2001 + service charge (15%) + HST (13%)
2) Private bedroom in a shared cottage
$1563 + service charge (15%) + HST (13%)
3) Shared bedroom (with individual twin beds) in a shared cottage
$1452 + service charge (15%) + HST (13%)
All cottages include:
Cancellation Policy
Useful information
Fishing
The French River, was a larder for millennia, for the First Nations peoples that fished its rich waters. Today, sport fishing is one of the French River’s main activities and attracts fishers for; muskellunge, northern pike, walleye (or pickerel as it is known in Canada), large and small mouth bass and other varieties of fresh water fish. Ask us about hiring a guide, bring your own boat or rent one from us.
Bird Watching
French River is home to many species of birds including; various warbler migrations, sandhill cranes, many species of duck, bald eagles, ospreys, merlins, coopers hawk, merlins, pileated woodpeckers, blue herons and many other varieties. Birding on the French River is a joy.
Hiking
Hike at Lodge at Pine Cove, on our well marked trails. From a 20 minute stroll to a 3 hour hike across the rugged Canadian Shield, you will find plenty of trails to interest you. Beaver ponds, large channels, cranberry bog, huge pine trees and plenty of flora and fauna. Hike Pine Cove and discover the French River.
Kayaking
The French River is an incredible kayaking destination. Huge expanses of flat water that you can paddle for hours, whilst exploring wild shorelines, islands, bays and channels. Bring your own kayak or we can outfit you with one. Discover the French River and it will keep you coming back for more.
Upcoming Events
May 18th to May 22nd, 2026 season
Body & Soul Retreat
Saturday May 23rd to Thursday May 28th, 2026 season
French River Writing Retreat
A Creative Writing Retreat at the Lodge at Pine Cove
September 24th - 27th, 2026 Season
River Within
June 21st - June 24th, 2026
Explore the Historic French River with your Camera
This retreat is about creating a narrative of the historic French River with your camera.
October 3rd - 5th, 2025
Wild Soul Retreat
Come Away with me for a weekend of LUXURY in the WILD
September 7 - 10, 2026
Wild Calm: Forest Bathing & Restoration Retreat
September 27th to 30th, 2026 season