PATH OF THE POTTOKAS
A photography & ethology retreat with Katja Jensen, Helle Knudsen, and Lucy Rees
Come with a heart open to unplanned moments.
In the sun-drenched hills of northern Extremadura, Spain, a group of wild Pottoka ponies roam freely under the watchful eye of ethologist Lucy Rees. For three spring days, you’re invited to slow down, tune in, and immerse yourself in the rhythm of their lives — camera in hand.
What You’ll Experience
→ Photographing wild ponies in their natural terrain
You’ll be walking into a landscape where the ponies still live on their own terms. No fences, no feeding schedules — just the rhythm of the land and the herd. We’ll follow their pace, let the light guide us, and photograph what unfolds, not what’s planned.
→ Learn from passionate experts
Together with Lucy, Helle, and Katja, you’ll start noticing things you may not have seen before — how the ponies move through the landscape, how they relate to each other, how they communicate without sound. The more you understand their world, the more naturally your photography begins to shift with it.
→ Time to reflect, edit, and share
Each evening, we’ll sit down together and go through some of the photos from the day. We’ll talk about what we noticed, what we felt, and what we captured. No pressure. Just honest conversation, a shared curiosity, and space to grow — side by side.
A note from us on what to expect ↓
This retreat will feel different from Denmark — and it’s meant to. Here in Spain, you’re stepping into something a little wilder, a little less familiar, and a lot more adventurous. Most of the locals only speak Spanish and things don’t always run on a tight schedule.
But in many ways, that’s the beauty of it. You’ll get a small taste of what it’s like for Katja when she travels alone with her camera — stepping into the unknown, trusting the process, and finding stories in places that don’t speak your language.
The schedule will be more fluid. We can’t always reach the ponies at sunrise, and when we do find them (which can take hours sometimes), we may stay out longer. We’ll follow their rhythm more than our own.
And finally, a gentle reminder: Lucy is 82 years old, and her presence is a gift. When she speaks, we listen and put down the camera. She has dedicated her life to understanding horses on their own terms, and this retreat is as much about learning from her as it is about taking photographs.
Your Investment:
€1900 EUR
Includes accommodation, expert guidance from Lucy, Helle and Katja, as well as unforgettable wild pony excursions.
✓ What's Included
→ Non-refundable deposit of
€950 upon joining
→ Expert guidance from Lucy, Helle and Katja
→ 4 nights accommodation
→ Transport for the duration of the retreat
→ English speaking guide
→ Field lectures on horse behavior
→ Lecture on photography and storytelling
→ Joint editing sessions
→ Excursions to the wild Pottokas
✗ Not Included
→ Cost of arrival to/from Madrid Airport (MAD), Spain
→ Meals and beverages
→ Photography gear
→ Cancellation and travel insurance
📆 When?
The retreat will take place from April 29th to May 3rd 2026.
We will have two travel days Wednesday and Sunday which gives us three full days in Extremadura.
📸 Recommended Gear & Experience
→ A DSLR or mirrorless camera
→ Telephoto lens recommended: 100–500mm, 70–200mm or similar
→ Laptop for editing + card backup
→ Basic understanding of shutter speed, ISO, aperture
This retreat is open to both hobbyists and professionals.
Are you ready for an adventure?
This retreat asks for your patience and your spontaneity. We’ll move slowly, with care. Respecting the ponies, the land, and each other.
Come ready to be surprised.
Come with a heart open to unplanned moments.