Artistic Residency in Baja California with Sebastien J. Zanella
DESILLUSION AWAY
Cabo San Lucas
22-27 September
This is more than a workshop — it's a shared moment, a week to explore photography , Art as a way of being.Set in a hidden residence between desert and sea, in the heart of Baja California, this experience is built for those who believe images can carry meaning, presence, and fire.We'll chase the light. Share stories.
And through long days of walking, watching, and creating — we’ll return to what truly matters:
Your voice, your vision, your way of seeing the world.
There are truths the light holds that no human word has ever touched.
Sebastien J. Zanella
Accompanied each day by Sebastien Zanella, participants will live the artist’s daily life, a path that will bring them before vast natural expanses that are conducive to contemplation; Experimentations with landscape and movement through photography or its practice; Development of one’s relationship to the world and the other, through each person’s artistic prism.
The residency will include individual sessions wherein each participant will take the time to talk about their experiences, their relationship to photography and/or poetry, film, as well as their desires, sensitivities and interests.
Portraiture, street photography, documentary photography, film, commercial shooting, writing – all facets of creation will be addressed during the workshop’s daily outings. Each person will have the opportunity to develop or assert one's vision.
Five days of immersive, hands-on guidance for each participant — a journey to reconnect with one’s artistic essence.
We dive into the other, only to return closer to ourselves.
An oportunity to share a vision…
Sébastien Zanella is a photographer, filmmaker, and writer. Through raw and poetic imagery, he explores what it means to live freely — beyond norms, beyond systems — whether on a skateboard, in the ocean, or wandering through the desert. His work is a form of resistance, a visual manifesto that seeks to turn life itself into art.
Over the years, Zanella has photographed and filmed some of the most iconic figures in skateboarding and surfing — including Dylan Rieder, Dane Reynolds, John John Florence, and Erik Ellington — while also working with leading names in the fashion and luxury industry such as YSL, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Chloé, Tudor, and Porsche.
His signature style is marked by natural light, improvisation, and emotional depth. Rather than documenting the world as it is, he reveals what often goes unseen — the inner fire, the fragile beauty, the mystery.
Zanella is the founder of Desillusion UTOPIA, a poetic society dedicated to outsiders and dreamers — artists of the everyday who believe that life can still be lived as a form of poetry.
Nestled between the Baja desert and the Pacific Ocean, Cabo San Lucas is a mystical land where light feels sharper, time slows down, and nature still carries the echo of ancient rhythms.
Immersed in the beautiful landscapes of the Pescadero community, ten residences emerge from the soil designed to be architecturally conscious of the natural resources and local materials.
SALARA
SALARA is more than a residence — it is a reflection of the land itself. Nestled between desert and ocean, each structure is thoughtfully built to blend with its surroundings, embracing the textures of stone, earth, and wood. Light flows gently through open spaces, creating a dialogue between inside and outside, silence and movement.
Here, time stretches. Days follow the rhythm of the sun and wind. It is a place where architecture becomes shelter, but also inspiration — a space to rest, to reflect, and to create. Perfectly suited for those seeking presence, depth, and connection, SALARA is not just where we stay, but where we return to ourselves.
5 PLACES ONLY
The individual price for one week is 3210 euros, which includes 5 nights accommodation.
The couple price (one room with a king size bed) is 4950 euros, which covers 5 nights.
This fee includes room, breakfast, and the 5-day workshop. Daily feedback will also be provided by Sebastien Zanella.
As lunch will be eaten on the go, or at the hotel and is not included in the global fee, the group will eat locally at very affordable prices.
Join me this September in Cabo San Lucas.
A week away from the noise — to slow down, to feel again, to create with intention.
We’ll walk between desert and ocean, chasing the light, the silence, and something deeper within ourselves.
This is not just a photography workshop.
It’s a journey back to what moves you.
An intimate gathering of outsiders, guided by instinct, surrounded by beauty, and bound by a shared desire:
to turn life into art.
Places are limited.
If you feel the call, I’ll be waiting by the shore.
Only 2 spots remain for this journey.
If you feel called, fill out the form below.
Tell me a bit about yourself, your creative path, and what draws you to this experience.
I’ll get back to you personally within a few days.
Let’s see if this is the right moment, and the right place, for you.
FAQs
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This workshop is designed for photographers, filmmakers, and artists of all levels—whether you’re a professional looking for new inspiration or an amateur seeking to refine your voice. More than technical skills, this experience is about developing a unique vision, exploring movement, and immersing yourself in the landscape to create something personal and meaningful.
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Not at all. This workshop is not about mastering camera settings—it’s about learning how to see. Whether you shoot with a professional camera, a film camera, or even a phone, the focus is on storytelling, connection, and personal expression. You’ll receive guidance tailored to your level, with room for experimentation.
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Each day is structured around a creative journey, balancing exploration, movement, and reflection.
Morning: Immersion in nature—traversing volcanic deserts, diving into the ocean, or moving through landscapes, always with a photographic or cinematic approach.
Midday: Feedback sessions, discussions, and creative direction.
Afternoon: Editing, storytelling exercises, and refining personal projects.
Evening: Time for introspection, surfing, or other activities that nurture the mind and body.
Every element is designed to help you connect with your environment, push your artistic boundaries, and redefine your creative process.
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A camera (digital or film), a phone, or anything you feel comfortable creating with.
A notebook for thoughts, ideas, and reflections.
Comfortable clothing for outdoor exploration (you’ll be moving a lot).
Swimwear if you want to experience the ocean sessions.
An open mind—this is not just a workshop, it’s an exploration of self and art.
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Unlike traditional photography workshops that focus on technique and commercial work, this experience is about artistic exploration and storytelling through movement and immersion in the environment.
You won’t just take photos—you’ll be part of the landscape, experiencing it, moving through it, and capturing the essence of life within it. This is about finding your own path as an artist, not following a set formula.
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Beyond photography and filmmaking, this journey is about seeing the world differently. You will leave with:
A stronger artistic identity and a clearer sense of your creative direction.
A personal body of work created during the week.
A new way of moving through landscapes and interacting with your surroundings.
Connections with like-minded artists, sharing the same passion for exploration and storytelling.
Most importantly, you’ll leave with a renewed sense of creativity—one that extends far beyond the workshop.
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The workshop is conducted in English and French. Participants from different backgrounds are welcome, as the experience is universal and visually driven.
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Absolutely. Surfing is not mandatory, but it is one of the many ways to explore movement and connection with nature. You’re free to experience it or focus on other aspects of the workshop.
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At the end of the experience, participants will leave with a personal body of work and a clearer vision of their artistic direction. You’ll also become part of a community of past participants, with the possibility of future collaborations and follow-up projects.
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The New New Adventurer Society is a living community of outsiders, artists, explorers, adventurers and creators —
those who refuse the ready-made world, and choose instead to invent the one they wish to live in.It’s not a club. It’s a way of moving through life.
A poetic alliance for those who seek meaning through action, beauty through presence, and connection through creation.To become a member, you must first go through an initiation — a workshop that opens the path.
Then, the Society opens its doors.As a member, you gain access to:
Desillusion UTOPIA — a monthly journal of inspiration, interviews and inner fire.
The Circle (WhatsApp group) — to stay connected with fellow members, share thoughts, questions, and sparks.
Expeditions & Secret Adventures — exclusive gatherings for those who want to go further, together.
The Annual Book — a collective publication where your work, your story, or your vision might be shared.
This is not a passive community.
It’s a place for those who live their poetry, who create instead of comment, and who walk the path — not because it’s easy, but because it’s real.To join – must live. 🥀
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You don’t sign up. You begin a journey.
To become a member of the New New Adventurer Society, you must first take part in one of our initiatory workshops — immersive, poetic experiences designed to reconnect you with your own path, vision, and inner fire.
This is your entry.
Not just into a community — but into a new way of living, seeing, and creating.Once the initiation is complete, you’re invited into the Society.
As a member, you receive:
Access to Desillusion UTOPIA, our monthly journal of inspiration and interviews.
A place in our private WhatsApp circle, to stay in touch with other adventurers, share work, thoughts and questions.
Invitations to secret expeditions and creative adventures, only for members.
The chance to be featured in our annual book, a printed archive of visions, moments and poetic acts from the Society.
This isn’t a badge.
It’s a fire you carry. A rhythm you choose to live by.To join – must live. 🥀