Keys to the Castle – September 16th & 17th 2026
2 Day Photography Workshop, Portfolio Building, Weddings, lighting, Drones and Business Building, Night Shoots, SEO and more at the stunning Allerton Castle in North Yorkshire.
A busy two days and nights of activity, learning and fun where you choose your own agenda from the busy schedule, you may go from a Boudoir shoot to a presentation about albums to groom prep to bridal portraits or drop in a drone training and practical flying session, photograph a Venetian costume, 1930s flapper or elegant ball gown on the stunning staircase at Allerton castle.
Imagine it like a school day with four lessons, a mid morning break, lunch and afternoon break. Each day starts at 9AM with a welcome chat over coffee before we start our photography and business sessions at 9.30. There’ll be a break mid morning before the sessions continue – you are welcome to swap sessions mid morning or continue what you were doing.. Lunch is included and after a stop for food we move into the afternoon sessions again you’re welcome to swap sessions after break or continue on with the same model. (Drone sessions are can be done as double or single sessions) the difference between our structure and a school day though, you choose where you want to go and what you want to do. With the exception of two night shoots, everything is included.
Following the workshop there’ll be a 2 hour live edits webinar where you can submit RAW files from Keys to the Castle to be edited live.
Book for one day for £225 or both days for £350 – Deposit of £100 to book – Lunch and refreshments included
Wedding Photography and training both days – Included
Whether its portfolio building, confidence building or training, we’ll have multiple bride and groom models over the two days with access to the castle grounds, the Great Hall and Staircase, the Memorial Garden, Palace Suite and looking like its been lifted from a royal palace, the Drawing Room. These are group lead sessions, as a small group you decide what you’d like to create and how.
For a more structured and planned session, I’ll be hosting two flash training sessions, one each day with the 16th all about indoor flash and lighting including the staircase and the chapel to create complimentary lighting images. The 17th, we’ll create a series of dramatic outdoor images
16th Castle Sunset and Night Shoot – inside and out with a bride and groom (extra Charge)
Join me with a bride and groom model as we shoot through sunset, blue hour and into the night. We’ll be using flashes, gels, mist and champagne sprays with Allerton Castle and Church as a back drop.
The session will start at 6.30 and finish around Midnight.
Limited to 10 places £125 per person. Book with a deposit of £50 (this is only available to photographers who have booked the 16th or both days)
Album and Wall Art supplier nPhoto will be with us to talk about products and as well as showcasing all their options and albums there’ll be some amazing offers and a give away or two
Drone wedding photography – both days – Included
On both days there’ll be an opportunity to join me for a drone training session with a short theory session followed by practical flying and portfolio building with bride and groom models against the amazing castle backdrop.
This will be good for photographers looking to build a portfolio or gain more experience in drone wedding photography including the theory and setting up your drone as a camera platform
You’ll need a drone with Flyer and Operator ID. All drone flying will be outside the castle. There is no cost for these sessions but to ensure safety and more flying time, the session will be limited to 6 places each day
Styled and Themed Shoots – both days – Included
Each day we’ll have styled and themed shoots available to join, think 1930s flapper as well as big gowns, head peices and more.
A personal highlight for me, we’ll be joined by one of the Masks I met at the Venice Carnival. Dressed in her venetian carnival costumes Sue will bring with her a selection of outfits that will work amazingly well around the castle.
17th York Wedding photography Night Shoot with a bride and groom. (extra charge)
Join me with a bride and groom model as we shoot in the historic city of York. We’ll be using flashes, gels, smoke bombs and our final shot of the night will be a champagne spray with our models
The session will start at 7 in York city centre (15 minutes drive away) and finish around Midnight.
Limited to 10 places £125 per person. Book with a deposit of £50 (this is only available to photographers who have booked the 17th or both days)
5 places remaining
Boudoir and Groom Prep – Both days – included
Over both days there’ll be a number of boudoir sessions, using either the amazing palace suite bedroom with gold furnishings, lovely natural light and rich deep colours or the Billiard Room, amazing contrasty backdrop utilising the strong directional light and full size billiard table as a back drop.
Groom preparation – I’ll be leading a session in the Billiard room with a groom in the process of getting ready ahead of the wedding ceremony. Probably the most perfect of getting ready rooms for a groom, we’ll create killer portfolio images whilst I explain the reasoning and technicalities of each set up.
Search Engine Optimisation, websites and AI – Simon Hogben – Included
Website and SEO genius Simon Hogben will be joining us on the 16th, Simon will be presenting a business class during the morning of the 16th and will also have a number of slots available later in the day for a 1-1 chat with him about Search Engine Optimisation, Lead generation, AI searches and anything website related. You can view Simon’s website here
Editing Webinar – included
Following keys to the castle, you’ll be invited to a live edit webinar where you can submit your own RAW files to be edited in Lightroom and Photoshop.
You’ll receive the edited high res files file and can chat and ask questions about the process as we edit with a live mic (optional!)
The webinar will be recorded and available in a keys to the Castle Facebook Group.
Click the buttons below to book – After booking one or both days, you can book a night shoot / shoots with the links above or book both days and both nights at once below for £550 and save an extra £50
One day only £225
Both Days £350
One day only £225
Below: Photographs from previous Keys to the Castle, workshops and a few real weddings at Allerton Castle
Getting here – Travelling to Allerton Castle by car is straightforward, literally just off the A1(M) it’s around 30 minutes from York and Leeds or 20 minutes from Harrogate. The nearest mainline train station is York, which offers fast, direct services to London, Leeds and Edinburgh, while Leeds Bradford Airport is the closest airport at roughly 30–40 minutes drive For anyone looking to stay nearby good-value options include the Days Inn Wetherby, The Crown Hotel in Harrogate and The Bay Horse Inn near Knaresborough a cosy, affordable pub-style stay just a few miles away
Terms of booking: Please be aware by booking you agree that unless I cancel the event (very unlikely) , all deposits are non refundable and cannot be transferred to a different workshop / event. If you cannot attend, you are welcome to try and sell your own place. In the event of the workshop being cancelled all refunds will be limited to the monies you have paid.