INTOTHESTYLEBYPNB
Tina | Paid Attendee | paid $1,300
đźš©DO NOT BOOK WITH @INTOTHESTYLEBYPNB @paupattersonphotography_ @brittanyjunellephotovideo
I write this as a cautionary tale. Please be so careful who you choose to book a photography retreat with. I booked a NYC photography retreat in February 2024. The cost was $1300. The retreat was in October. I debated on posting this but I feel like I need to tell the community as they continue to plan content events.
The first red flag for this shoot was when they wouldn’t send the address or airbnb link. They would only send screenshots of the photos on the listing. They finally sent only the address a couple of weeks before the shoot. Then two days before the shoot they sent the link to the airbnb. We came to find out it was one of the cheapest available options in an unsafe neighborhood & the address was not the same as what was originally sent to us. It also had multiple reviews stating this spot is “sketchy” & unsafe.
Needless to say attendees were upset/nervous/scared and chaos broke out in the group chat. The hosts booked another air b&b in a better location but no where near the shoots & total opposite side of town making it over an hour commute on public transport or very expensive uber rides.
The hosts of this retreat had $11,700 to plan and coordinate and they spent only $2500 on accommodations. I felt ripped off & blind-sighted. I asked for a refund & they refused. At this point I had very low expectation and just knew it was going to be very unorganized. But, I decided to attend the retreat against my better judgement. I didn’t want to be out the $1300 I paid and I was seriously so excited to get content in NYC.
Fast forward to arrival. We were promised a welcome dinner— we arrive to 8 little Caesars pizzas— in NYC. I’m sorry, what? On top of that there were zero drinks not even bottled water. The hosts said quiet time started at 10pm since we all have to be up for sunrise shoots. The hosts proceeded to be up until 1am loudly preparing for the next day— keeping myself and other guests up. We were promised a group dinner in the city— never happened. There was zero group bonding, education and no itinerary.
All of this was disappointing but the shoots were EMBARRASSING and so unprofessional. We asked the hosts for a vendor tag list and who was doing their hair & makeup. They responded “I don’t know I hope they did their-own hair and makeup” We were promised glam waves and professional makeup on the mood board. One of the models showed up with crimped hair— not fault of her own. If the hosts aren’t collaborating with hair & makeup it is not on the model to pay for that.
One bridal model came in sneakers— no heels were given to her the other bridal model was in black heels with a white gown. They didn’t have garment bags for the gowns & carried them on the subway. Perhaps the most frustrating part of it all— was the stained/dirty, wrinkled, ill fitting gowns. It cheapened the entire photo shoot and even AI can’t fix the amount of wrinkles in the gown. They created floral arrangements themselves with hobby lobby flowers, used dresses from previous shoots they hosted dating back three years ago. The money put into this shoot from attendees was NOT spent on the shoot.
The hosts showed up to shots in their pajamas because they were “tired” They didn’t bring pop up changing pods for the models & left one of the girls with no dress to put back on— she was literally running around in her husbands jacket looking for a restroom to change in. It was so embarrassing to be associated with this lack of professionalism.
It was so bad/uncomfortable that 3 attendees booked earlier flights home (myself being one of them) One attendee left after day 1 and spent over $400 to leave.
Please, please, please do your research before attending a retreat. Make sure they have a website, google page with positive reviews & credibility. I wish I would have done this. Just beware & only book with credible businesses.