Photography  ·  Celtic Seasons  ·  May 2025

Beltane Magic at Ballaglass Glen: Our First Photography Workshop in Nature

Ciara Hardisty & Adam Morgan  ·  Wild Island Media  ·  5 min read

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Our first Isle of Man photography workshop as Photographer in Residence — held in Ballaglass Glen during the Celtic festival of Beltane. Surrounded by bluebells and bathed in dappled light, attendees learned, created, and connected in nature. The day ended with a magical portrait session featuring a vintage-inspired dress, captured in one of the island's most enchanting landscapes.

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Our first ever outdoor photography workshop took place during one of the most powerful times in the Celtic calendar — Beltane, the festival that marks the beginning of summer. Held in the heart of Ballaglass Glen on the Isle of Man, this workshop was more than a day of learning. It became a celebration of creativity, community, and the beauty of being in nature.

As dappled light danced through the canopy and bluebells lit up the woodland floor, the experience felt like stepping into a storybook.

Ballaglass Glen workshop, Isle of Man

Ballaglass Glen — ancient woodland, bluebells, and dappled Beltane light.

Why Beltane at Ballaglass

Why Beltane at Ballaglass Was So Special

Beltane energy in full bloom — the Celtic festival celebrates fire, fertility, and new life. Ballaglass Glen, with its ancient woodland and wildflowers, felt deeply in tune with this seasonal shift.
A moment to reconnect with nature — being outdoors allowed attendees to slow down, breathe deeply, and tune into the rhythms of the natural world.
Learning in a living landscape — from camera settings to composition, participants explored new skills while immersed in a stunning and ever-changing environment.
Dappled light for magical shots — as the sun filtered through the trees, it created shifting patterns of light and shadow — perfect for capturing atmospheric portraits and landscapes.
Portrait in Ballaglass Glen during Beltane workshop

Photo credit: @faerieferne

The Portrait Session

A Dream Dress and a Forest Portrait Session

One of the highlights of the evening was photographing a breathtaking dress, kindly gifted by Nataya. With its flowing silhouette and romantic details, it looked as though it had stepped out of another time — ideal for this mythic setting.

"From moss-covered stones to shafts of dappled light through the trees, the landscape became a living part of the portrait."

— Ciara, wildislandmedia.com
A timeless aesthetic — the Nataya dress was vintage-inspired, with delicate lace and layered tulle, echoing the ethereal beauty of the forest.
A true honour to photograph — one of our attendees wore the dress for a portrait session among the bluebells. It was a privilege to capture her in one of the Isle of Man's most enchanting locations.
Nature as a backdrop — moss-covered stones, shafts of dappled light, and ancient woodland became a living part of every frame.
Nataya dress portrait in Ballaglass Glen
The Day in Frames

The Day in Frames

Beltane workshop portrait Ballaglass Glen workshop photography
Beltane woodland portrait Photography workshop Isle of Man

Photo credit: @faerieferne

Looking Ahead

Looking Ahead

We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us for this first workshop. Being able to share knowledge, creativity, and the quiet magic of nature was a powerful reminder of why we do this.

This is just the beginning. More nature-based photography workshops will follow — each designed to reconnect people with the land, the seasons, and their own creative voice.

"Being able to share knowledge, creativity, and the quiet magic of nature was a powerful reminder of why we do this."

— Ciara & Adam, wildislandmedia.com

She has Celtic roots. Obviously.

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