Flo Knoyle | Edgy Equine Portrait Photographer | Multi- Award Winning | Leek, Staffordshire | Covering the UK
flo@thehorsephotographer.co.uk | 07590894420 | Click Here To Book
the whispers of folklore
at usk castle
All-Inclusive Equine Photography Retreat. Chapter Two.
The whispers are back, and they’re louder. Whispers of Folklore: Chapter Two is an all-inclusive luxury equine photography retreat at Usk Castle, South Wales.
Join Flo Knoyle and Simone Stocks for 2 nights of glamping, 5 cinematic styled shoots, 5 incredible horses, 6 catered meals, and hands-on tuition designed to help you create standout, cinematic work.
Usk Castle, Monmouthshire | 18th - 20th September 2026
Limited to 7 places. 5 remaining | £2000pp | £250 deposit secures
Remaining balance payable via instalments
🏆 Build your dream portfolio, mentored by Flo Knoyle.
🛖 2 nights glamping at historic Usk Castle.
📷 5 cinematic styled shoots
🦄 5 horses across immersive fantasy worlds
🍽️ 6 catered meals + welcome drinks
🧠 Hands-on tuition with Flo Knoyle + professional model Simone Stocks
✈️ International airport + train stations nearby.
💳 Payment plans available to suit you.
Questions before you book?
WhatsApp Flo on 07590894420.
why Chapter two is Different...
Last year was the introductory edition.
This year, Whispers of Folklore has been expanded into a more immersive, more luxurious, and more fully produced retreat experience.
New for 2026:
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Welcome drinks on arrival
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6 catered meals
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Additional staff on-site for smooth running
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BONUS Director’s Challenge photoshoot
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Upgraded styling and wardrobe pieces
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Norton Armouries pieces featured in selected looks
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More cinematic production value throughout
what's included in your retreat:
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2 nights glamping accommodation at historic Usk Castle
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5 styled equine photoshoots
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5 horses across immersive fantasy themes
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6 catered meals
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Welcome drinks on arrival
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Professional model Simone Stocks
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Couture styling and handcrafted fantasy wardrobe pieces
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Expert photography tuition throughout the retreat
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Small group experience for more personal guidance
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Additional staff on-site to keep everything running seamlessly
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Curated goodie bag
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Post-retreat Zoom session for image review and portfolio feedback
you are not just portfolio building.
You’ll leave with stronger images, stronger direction skills, and a clearer signature style you can carry into your own photoshoots and client work. This is practical, hands-on education designed to elevate the way you create. It’s about transforming the way you shoot, how you see, how you direct, how you create. You’ll walk away with skills you can’t Google. This is real hands on education.
Here’s what you’ll gain:
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Tailored 1:1 and group coaching with Flo Knoyle throughout the weekend
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Learn to confidently direct both professional models and horses and how to bring them into harmony for powerful, emotive shots
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Master the art of composition, visual storytelling, and framing
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Use natural light with more intention
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Understand how to work with energy, mood, and movement in a way that makes your images come alive
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Learn to find, assess, and elevate locations into scroll stopping sets
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Develop your own signature visual style with guidance and feedback
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Build confidence working with horses and learn how to capture them at their best - even the tricky ones
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Optional post-retreat Zoom session to review your images, get editing tips, and refine your portfolio selection
This is an investment in your growth, your vision, and your next level as a creative.
"Flo always goes beyond with her work and creating workshops. I'm always surprised by the new things that she creates and that I'm able to experience it and get advice and praise for my photos. The workshop and the experience was amazing, I enjoyed every bit and I can't wait to attend more in the future!"
- Lietta
previous student images...
Step into the Story
What if... for one weekend, you could immerse yourself in a world where ancient myth, local Welsh legend, photography, and the spirit of horses all merged into a single, unforgettable experience?
Welcome to The Whispers of Folklore at Usk Castle - a luxurious equine photography retreat where creativity knows no bounds. Where every detail has been meticulously curated by us to transport you into the realm of fantasy, fun, and fierce authenticity.
Alongside handcrafted pieces made by Flo, Whispers of Folklore 2026 will also feature selected pieces from Norton Armouries, renowned for their work on world famous fantasy and film productions including Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, The Witcher, and The Rings of Power. These extraordinary additions bring an even greater sense of cinematic drama and authenticity to the retreat’s immersive fantasy worlds.
Whether you’re a seasoned equine photographer, a fantasy portrait photographer, a hobby photographer, an artist seeking something wildly unique for your reference, or simply just a horse lover absolutely yearning to capture the magic... then this equine photography retreat is for you.
*your experience at a glance*
Friday
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Arrive at Usk Castle
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Check into glamping pods
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Welcome drinks + goodie bag
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Introductions + dinner
Saturday
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Breakfast
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Sleipnir Rising
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Lunch
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The Elven Enchantress
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The Director’s Challenge (bonus shoot)
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Q&A + dinner
Sunday
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Breakfast
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Armour & Shadows
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Lunch
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The Welsh Dragon Awakens
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Final Q&A
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Optional pub trip
You’ll leave with new friends, creative allies, and connections. Not to mention a portfolio of images bursting at the seams! These are the kinds of people who get it ... who see the world through the same eyes as you do. And trust us… the conversations, collaborations, and chaos you share here won’t end at Usk Castle’s gates!
This is your chance to:
✦ Be part of Chapter Two of a retreat that people still talk about long after it ends
✦ Photograph five cinematic fantasy worlds with incredible horses, couture styling, and high production value
✦ Refine your eye for light, direction, and equine storytelling in an intimate, high touch setting
✦ Create a portfolio that feels bolder, more immersive, and impossible to ignore
✦ Experience Whispers of Folklore at its most elevated yet inside a historic castle in the heart of the Welsh countryside
ready to Step into Chapter two?
£2000pp | Payment plans available to suit you.
Secure yours with a £250 deposit.
Any questions before you book? WhatsApp Flo on 07590894420 and she will help you.
meet the photographer
flo knoyle
Hey, I'm Flo. I’m the founder and creative director behind Flo Knoyle Photography, a luxury portrait brand built for fierce, unapologetic equestrians who want images that scream authenticity, power, and soul.
Over the years, I’ve mastered the art of capturing the connections between horses and their humans. My work blends luxury styling with visceral storytelling, empowering clients to see themselves and their horses as bold, confident, and beautifully unique. I want to share this with YOU.
I want to welcome you to the groundbreaking, women led fantasy equine photography retreat at Usk Castle - my biggest production yet. I designed it to push creative boundaries, combining sculptural styling, mythic themes, and professional coaching. My goal is always the same: to help everyone create images that spark self-belief and stir the soul.
Together, Simone and I are breaking new ground, combining key expertise in model direction, equine direction and styling, and fantasy storytelling to create a powerful visual narrative with four unique horses.
meet the model
simone stocks
With over a decade of professional modeling experience Simone brings a rare blend of technical expertise, equestrian passion, and expressive artistry to every set. Based in London, she thrives both in front of and behind the camera, expertly balancing roles as a model, photographer, and social media curator .
A trained rider with 20 years’ experience and diplomas in Horse Care & Management, Simone brings a deep understanding of equine behaviour to each photoshoot. That connection gives her a unique talent for co creating authentic, dynamic moments with horses - making her the perfect partner for our photography retreat.
Simone’s presence is magnetic. She fluidly brings characters to life filling each frame with emotion, movement, and intention. Whether you’re shooting editorial campaigns, fantasy photography, or high-fashion equine portraiture, Simone’s adaptable skills and creative insight will elevate your images to unforgettable.