As photographers, it’s so easy for us to get caught up in all of the to-dos surrounding our job. From responding to client inquiries and scheduling sessions to photographing, editing, and delivering galleries, our to-do lists as photographers are often longer than the day is!

Ask Yourself This…

But let me ask you this: when was the last time you took a moment to step outside of the to-dos inside your photography business and thought about dedicating time to work on your photography business?

If you can’t quite remember a time when you created some margin in your work to check in with your business goals, to evaluate your processes, or even to offer yourself a creative reset, let me share a game-changing idea with you: it might be time for you to consider signing up for a photography retreat.

Now, if you’ve been here awhile, it’s no secret that I believe in investing in education. I’ve attended a lot of photography retreats and conferences, and I’ve participated in masterminds and mentorships, too! And while all of these experiences have been fulfilling and transformative, there’s something special about getting outside of your own home – and even your own city! – and dedicating focused time to working on your photography business at a retreat.

Here’s the truth: while the benefits of attending a business retreat are impactful on a professional level, of course, there is a meaningful personal impact that comes along with attending retreats, too.

What Photography Retreats Can Offer You Professionally

Attending a photography retreat can be so valuable for your business. If you’ve attended an industry conference before, you know this well, but what often happens organically at photography gatherings like retreats is conversation.

When professionals in similar industries are called together in the same space and are encouraged to get to know each other, surface-level conversations often give way to deeper discussions about what’s working well for each of you in your businesses and in what areas you’re both trying to grow and improve. It’s not unusual for retreat attendees to bond quickly over similar photography interests or to share stories about marketing or working with clients.

What’s different about a photography retreat, compared to an industry conference, is that you’re often able to deep-dive into your own business without many distractions getting in your way. Instead of constantly attending breakout sessions or bouncing between roundtable discussions at a conference, retreats are smaller in size and tailored around a specific theme or skillset, so the environment feels more intimate and focused.

Conferences bring on talented professionals to speak and share their expertise, and business retreats often do, too! But because the environment is more low-key and intimate, attendees have the time to connect 1:1 with professionals who have been there and done that. This is also why retreats can be especially helpful if you want to learn something new! The access you have at a retreat to hands-on, direct support from someone who knows her stuff is worth the price of admission alone.

What Photography Retreats Can Offer You Personally

Beyond the business benefits, attending a retreat can also be life-giving if you’re a solopreneur or running your business virtually. While most entrepreneurs love the ability to be their own boss and to determine their working hours, the projects they take on, and the money they make, it sure can feel lonely at times to be a one-woman show.

Photography retreats allow you to meet and build lasting relationships with like-minded people who are also committed to growing their businesses. Whether you’re deep in the trenches of growing your business in a new geographical area while also coping with the personal side effects of relocating, or you’re trying to figure out how to speak to higher-end clients but feel like your portfolio is lacking, a business retreat can be the place where you can find the answers and get the support you need.

Doing business alone can be isolating, but when you share space with other women in similar industries at a retreat, there’s no limit to the growth that can happen when many minds are called together to brainstorm new ways to make your goals a reality. Some of my longest-lasting friendships have been made at business retreats, and I want that for you, too! In fact, I just sent out holiday gifts to my photography besties – all of which I met through retreats!

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Whether you make plans to attend one photography retreat a year or you make a working weekend date with business besties every so often, there’s nothing quite like gathering together in person with like-minded professionals who are focused on growth.

Retreats are my favorite type of immersive experience because they offer more than just an opportunity to learn a new skill or hone a skillset you already have; they’re an invaluable opportunity to connect with and build lasting relationships with women who understand the unique challenges of business ownership.

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