Spain recce 2025

Feb 3, 2025 | Flash, GFX, Location

Photography: Damien Lovegrove
Models: Mischkah and Lilium
Location scouting: Mischkah and Håvard
Styling: Mischkah and Damien

Locations: Mojácar area of Andalusia, Spain
Event Dates: Bespoke between 25 September and 15 October 2025
Event base: Mojácar – Parador de Mójacar Hotel
Regional airports: Almeria, Murcia, Malaga, Alicante

As I reflect on our incredible time in Spain, I can’t help but feel grateful for the vibrant moments that Susie and I shared, from indulging in authentic tapas and experiencing flamenco in close quarters to basking in the warm winter sun alongside Mischkah and Håvard. Laughter and creativity flowed freely during our location-scouting adventures. Mojácar is the jewel in this region of Spain. We are already looking forward to our return in September when we open the doors to personalised events that promise to ignite the passion of photographers in these stunning settings.

01. I love this shooting spot. It’s the first place I spotted when arriving at the scene. I lit Mischkah with a splash of flash from the Godox AD400 unit.

02. I’ve always enjoyed shooting interiors, working with the play of light and being bold with my shooting and lighting direction. This shot reminded me of one of our Spanish shoots from 2015. See panel 16 in this blog post.

Mischkah and I have been shooting together professionally for over ten years and have developed a wonderful working partnership and friendship. We have learned to pool our creative ideas and processes and to fine-tune fabulous client experiences.

03. Mischkah in the mid-afternoon sunlight.

Sunlight makes everything look great but it gives us challenges too. Sometimes I prefer to work in the shade and pump in a bit of flash instead.

04. I lit the bottom right shot with a splash of flash through a partly opened door. I’m once again experimenting with soft light this year and the jury is still out. I’ll do more experimentation on my next recce in Italy in May. You can join me in Italy this May, Details are here.

On the day we departed Spain to head back to the UK, we managed to fit in a photoshoot with Lilium, a talented local model with whom I had been eager to collaborate, and the session exceeded our expectations as we quickly established a wonderful working relationship.

05. These photographs feature Lilium bathed in the gentle morning light at one of my favourite photography spots of all time.

06. Lilium provides simple elegance in this dramatic setting. The air temperature in the shade on this shoot was a balmy 19°C 

07. The light changes dramatically on these buildings throughout the day. Surprisingly the light at midday was wonderful and the evening light too, It gave this abandoned village a super warm glow.

08. Lilium on set out in the desert.

I believe in having a reliable backup team ready in case models or assistants are unavailable due to illness, which is why I arranged this shoot with Lilium, a talented local model from Andalucia. This approach allows me to provide a comprehensive and dependable service for visiting photographers.

09. Lilium wears a dress called Rover. I’ve had this dress for ten years or more and it goes with me to almost every shoot, hence its name. Reflected sunlight was all I used for these shots.

We also captured stunning photographs in an abandoned village nestled in the hills. Access to this location requires an off-road journey, although the track remains navigable when the weather is dry.

10. I took this shot of Mischkah for the Rover book. I used a Godox AD400 unit outside the building and pumped light through the window.

Real texture has a charm of its own. It’s what I travel the world for. AI can probably generate these pictures but it can’t create the experience on the shoot and the wonderful memories that I have of fun times with Mischkah.

11. Mischkah in one of the many blue rooms at this location. I lit her with a splash of flash from a Godox AD400 unit.

Even in January, we consistently enjoyed daily highs ranging from 19 to 21 degrees Celsius, thanks to one of our shooting locations nestled in the rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada mountains, which experiences remarkably high temperatures for the region.

12. I used the available light for these black and white studies of Mischkah.

Access to some, but not all of these locations requires stout shoes and a short hike. I find that on a shooting day in Spain, I cover about 12,000 steps so a moderate fitness level is required to get the most from these shoot spots.

13. This photograph has really grown on me, and Mischkah loves it too. I remember stepping into this room and thinking about the rules we learn and the ones we create for ourselves. I was once taught never to include the light source in the frame – but I think that’s exactly what makes this shot so striking. The colours here are simply wonderful.

14. This was a brief recce and I wanted to share a few iPhone pictures from some of the other abandoned sites we explored. We have two full days of photography lined up, along with plenty of locations to refine your shooting techniques afterwards. I look forward to seeing some of you in Spain this autumn.

In September, my partner Susie and I will drive from Italy to Spain, where we will stay for three weeks working with small groups of visiting photographers. Travelling by car lets us bring an extensive lighting and styling kit, ensuring we’re well-equipped for our shoots. With Mischkah based in Mojácar and Lilium living near Almería, we can keep event costs reasonable, as there are minimal expenses for model travel and accommodation – savings that we pass directly on to you, our clients. See below!

Photography shoots in Spain for 2025

Fun in the sun

Immerse yourself in an unforgettable photography experience under the Spanish sun! With small, intimate groups of no more than three photographers, you’ll have the perfect opportunity to refine your portraiture skills and accelerate your learning. Explore a variety of genres, including Wild West themes, artistic nude, and contemporary fashion, all set against Spain’s stunning backdrops. Join me for a creative adventure and take your photography to the next level!

Dates

I have flexible availability from the 25th of September to the 15th of October.

Fees

If you like to shoot with friends you can benefit from reduced fees. See below for details.

Solo photographer rates:
  • Each guided tuition day is priced at £1,200, covering model fees, my fee, and full use of my lighting kit.
  • Mischkah will also be available for follow-up ‘freestyle’ days at £500 per day, with the option to use my lighting kit as needed.
Two photographer rates:
  • Each guided tuition day is priced at £900 per photographer, including model fees, my fee, and the use of my lighting kit.
  • Each follow-up ‘freestyle’ day with Mischkah is £350 per photographer, with the option to use my lighting kit as needed.
Three photographer rates:
  • Each guided tuition day is priced at £700 per photographer, including model fees, my fee, and the use of my lighting kit.
  • Each follow-up ‘freestyle’ day with Mischkah is £300 per photographer, with the option to use my lighting kit as needed.

Accommodation

I suggest the ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Parador Hotel in Mojácar is ideal for photographers. It offers spacious rooms, a delicious buffet breakfast, and a prime waterfront location. The hotel is also within walking distance of excellent restaurants. Additionally, there are various other hotels and apartments available to accommodate different budgets and preferences.

During the training days, I will join photographers for dinner in the evenings, while Mischkah will accompany photographers for dinner on the ‘freestyle’ days.

Transport

I recommend renting a car. An SUV-style vehicle with higher ground clearance is essential for navigating the terrain. I’ll ferry the models and transport the lighting kit in my SUV.

Flights

Flights to Spanish regional airports are often limited to specific days of the week, which vary depending on the departure location. I’ll remain flexible with the shooting schedule as needed. Almeria Airport is closest at just a 55-minute drive, Murcia Airport is a 90-minute drive, Alicante Airport is a 2 hours 13 minute drive and Malaga Airport is a 3 hours 7 minute drive.

Shooting locations

The Almería-based locations are approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes from the Parador Hotel, while the Mojácar locations are typically around 30 minutes away. We will explore three primary locations, along with two additional smaller spots, each offering unique challenges and creative opportunities. On freestyle days, you’ll have the chance to revisit your favourite locations, allowing for more time to refine your shots. We can also adjust the styling to suit your vision and add variety to your portfolio.

The shooting day

Each day we will leave the Parador Hotel at 09:00 drive to our first location and will shoot for about three hours in the morning. We will then take a long break for lunch and then shoot for a further three or four hours in the afternoon light. We will be back at the hotel by 19:00 and dinner will be at about 20:30.

What happens next?

Explore your flight options, choose your dates, maybe even invite a friend, and check my availability using the button below.

8 Comments

  1. ron Letheren

    Damien this works displays your talent..not just with the lighting (110%) but the way you create the mood to the occasion.
    If you keep up at this rate I shall allow you to give away the box brownie and move up to the throw away wedding cameras

    Reply
  2. GARY POWELL

    Great locations Damien. Two fabulous models Mischka always on top form and your new local model Lilium has that natural look and is also beautiful.
    I love the shots in the room with the peeling blue paint I think is gives off great tones and that hit of colour is magic.
    I really am gutted that I will not be able to join you on your shoots this year I just have so much going on here but I remain an awe of your skillset so look forward to seeing images from your trips.
    Stay safe and healthy :)

    Reply
  3. Ioannis

    Always classy and beautiful photos! Great locations too and Mischkah is always stunning!! Well done my friend!

    Reply
    • Damien

      Thank you Ioannis for your kindness and continued support. Hugs.

      Reply
  4. SIMON HOLDING

    Strikingly beautiful images. Your models are so dramatic. Great juxtaposition of rustic locations and elegant posing together with your hallmark magic

    Reply
    • Damien

      Thank you Simon

      Some things are worth travelling for and bringing together the location, light and the models ticks my boxes.

      Warmest regards,

      Damien.

      Reply
  5. Myles Bodill

    Wow. Magical Damien. Thanks for teaching us. Glad you go beyond your rules or that image which included the light source would not have seen the light of day….so to speak! And spot on with your comment. No amount of AI will replace that human interaction and the memories created.

    Reply
    • Damien

      Thank you Myles,

      I love your kind words. Cheers, Damien

      Reply

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