Top Five Reasons you Must Attend a Photography Retreat

Photography is a journey of learning theory and technique sprinkled with a touch of creativity. A photographer's learning journey has moments of enormous gains and then times when learning is more plateaued. This is certainly to be expected. If you are looking for a once-in-a-lifetime learning experience, you'll want to attend a landscape photography retreat, as this experience is bound to help accelerate your development as a photographer. With the support of a teacher and surrounded by like-minded photographers, all with tips and techniques to share, you are certainly going to learn and be inspired! 

Since registration for Captivated by the Rockies: Larch, which will be held in Banff, Alberta, Canada, during the height of the fall season in September 2021, opens later this week, I thought it'd be fun to share my top five reasons you should attend a landscape photography retreat. 

5. The ability to photograph sunrise through sunset 

One of the unique experiences of a photography retreat is the opportunity to photograph sunrise and sunset and the moments in between. I find that often, I'm running out into the mountains for a quick sunrise or sunset, and I'm not able to take advantage of daylight hours as well due to my schedule pulling me in all sorts of directions.

When Captivated by the Rockies is hosted during the height of the fall season, there will be plenty of time for daylight photography. The pop of fall colour foliage is stunning against those daytime skies. Daytime is also a fantastic opportunity to try out long exposure because you're not concerned about missing out on the fast-changing light often associated with sunrise and sunset. 

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4. The push to be creative

I always feel inspired when I'm around other photographers. Everyone has a beautifully unique viewpoint, and creativity breeds creativity. Retreats allow you to stand back and observe other photographers' creative process, which is certainly inspiring. Tapping into the creative energy within a group of photographers will certainly have you pushing yourself to be more creative. 

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3. Learn a new technique

Trying a new technique can be overwhelming and intimidating when you're trying to muddle through the unknown alone. It's a much more positive experience when you have hands-on support and guidance. I believe that everyone has something to offer to any learning experience, regardless of where you are in your photography journey. I enjoy watching women offer up tips and techniques and learn from each other during a photography retreat. 

There's plenty of opportunity for learning during Captivated by the Rockies. I'm passionate about teaching basic landscape photography techniques and tips, thoughtful composition of a landscape scene, long exposure landscape photography, night sky landscape photography, panorama, time-lapse, and panning.

The Aspen and Larch trees in the Canadian Rockies are particularly stunning during the fall season when Captivated by the Rockies is hosted. Panning is a beautiful artist way to capture the colours in the fall foliage. 

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2. Capture the night sky alongside friends

Why is it that the friendly little beaver swimming at my feet sounds more like an enormous grizzly bear splashing with haste towards my location? (P.S. Poor beaver...I think I scared him more than he scared me! My headlamp is pretty bright!)

The night as beautiful as it can be, can cause even the most steady nerves to quicken with unexpected sounds. Photographing under the night sky is captivating, and doing so in a group is a safer, more relaxing and rewarding experience. 

There's a unique technique to photographing at night, but the effort is well worth it when you capture the magic of moonlit and starstudded skies. 

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1. Take time for yourself and develop your passion 

It's no secret that I'm incredibly passionate about landscape photography. A retreat gives me the time to nurture my passion and learn more about who I am as a person and photographer. 

Photography is a gift you can give to yourself. You deserve to nurture your passion. I know most of us spend our lives taking care of other people, whether that is our children or partner or friends or co-workers. A photography retreat allows you to take care of yourself, which will only benefit those around you. 

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Plus a Bonus-The memories

Landscape photography retreats are filled with almost indescribable experiences. The learning, laughter and experiences are never forgotten. There's an incredible connective experience that occurs, and it will certainly enrich your life. The learning and experience of a retreat will be once in a lifetime and a decision that you will not regret! 

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Captivated by the Rockies: Larch will be held in September 2021 in Banff, Alberta, Canada. I'm honoured and thrilled to share the mountains I adore with you and offer you a once in a lifetime experience photographing the Canadian Rocky Mountains alongside other women during the stunning fall season. I hope to see you there!