Summer Camp with The Cowboy Creative
Sula, Montana July 2-6, 2026
Tickets go live January 30th at 9am CST to the presale list
July 2026 Retreat is Live!!!
ARE YOU STRUGGLING TO TAKE YOUR WESTERN PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL?
Maybe you love photography, but somewhere along the way it started feeling heavy. Like you’re doing all the right things, posting consistently, saying yes to everything, and still not feeling excited about the work you’re putting out.
Maybe you’re busy, booked, and technically “successful,” yet creatively bored and more tired than you want to admit.
Or maybe every time you scroll, you see photographers who look relaxed. Clear. Confident. Like they actually enjoy what they’re building and aren’t glued to their phone or burning themselves out to make it work.
…And all you can think is:
I want that
But I don’t know how.
Imagine a few days in Montana that feel like summer camp for creatives. Shared cabins. Morning coffee outside. Long conversations that aren’t rushed. No pressure to perform, impress, or keep up. Just space to slow down, create, and remember why you picked up a camera in the first place.
This retreat isn’t about chasing trends or perfecting a formula. It’s about getting back to the basics. Being outside. Shooting for the sake of curiosity. Talking honestly about business, burnout, creativity, and what you actually want your work and life to look like.
Photography here is part of it, but not the whole point. The real value comes from the environment and the people. The late nights, the shared meals, the quiet moments, and the conversations that only happen when everyone finally puts their guard down.
You’ll still learn. You’ll still shoot. You’ll still walk away with practical tools for your business. But it all happens in a way that feels human, unforced, and sustainable.
Think of this weekend as a reset. A creative summer camp meets business mastermind. Less hustle, more clarity. Less noise, more direction. A few days that stick with you long after you leave Montana.
IMAGINE A WORLD WHERE:
• You’re not constantly questioning if you’re behind, late to the trend, or missing some secret everyone else seems to know.
• Your portfolio actually reflects the kind of work you want more of, not just the work you’ve taken to pay the bills.
• Editing no longer feels like a never-ending chore that spills into nights, weekends, and every spare moment.
• You are no longer building your business alone. You find a crew of photographers who get you, cheer for you, and grow with you.
• You stop feeling isolated in your business and start feeling supported, challenged, and understood.
•You finally trust your eye enough to stop copying what’s working for everyone else.
•Clients respect your process, your time, and your creative direction because you’ve learned how to lead them.
• Your clients move from satisfied to obsessed and start telling everyone they know about you.
• The right clients finally start finding you. People who value your style, trust your vision, and want to be on your calendar.
• You’re surrounded by photographers who talk honestly about money, boundaries, and burnout instead of pretending everything is perfect.
• Your inbox stays full of inquiries, momentum, and clients who are excited to work with you.
• Those revenue goals that once felt out of reach start to feel possible with clarity and guidance from industry pros.
• You deliver galleries that do more than look good. They tell a story, make people feel something, and stay with your clients.
MAGINE A WEEKEND WHERE THIS BECOMES YOUR REALITY. KIND OF HARD TO PASS UP, RIGHT?
What if we told you this:
There is a place where you can step straight into real cowboy culture and photograph a world that still lives and breathes in the mountains of southwest Montana. A place where you can create images that honor a timeless way of life while gaining fresh inspiration, practical business guidance, and a community of photographers who care about the same things you do.
And what if we said that in one long weekend you could walk away with the tools, clarity, connections, and confidence to take your photography business somewhere new and meaningful. A weekend that helps you build a legacy that feels true to who you are.
Pretty unreal, right?
Introducing: The Ultimate Western Photography Experience
The Cowboy Creative
in Sula, Montana
July 2-6, 2026
A transformative retreat for photographers eager to dive into the rich cowboy culture, create breathtaking images, reach new heights in their business, ignite their passion, and embrace their God-given potential.
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
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WHAT'S INCLUDED? |
Hands-On Creative & Business Building Experiences
3 total portfolio-building styled shoots (Value: $1,500)
30 minute 1:1 mentorship session with Lauren prior to the retreat (Value: $200)
Headshots and branding photos taken by Lauren (Value: $500)
Community & Ongoing Support
Three community-building zoom calls with attendees before workshop
A community of like-minded business besties you can GROW with (priceless!!)
Access to a private online group before the retreat to plan and meet people
Core Retreat Admission
Full admission to the cowboy creative retreat & workshop
5 days, 4 nights in an amazing summer retreat (Value: $846)
Access to the entire ranch property
Professional Development & Learning Opportunities
5 teaching sessions by Lauren & guest speakers (Value: $4,000)
5 hours of business training
Exclusive workshop materials & resources
All-Inclusive Comforts
All meals homemade & provided during the workshop (Value: $700)
Welcome gift bag
Ticket Is Non-Refundable *Travel & Transportation To And From Workshop Not Included
Will you join us in Montana?
Bunkbed Ticket
Payment options:
Pay in full $1,500 (& SAVE $$!!)
2 Payments (2x $850)
4 Payments (4x $425)
6 Payments (6x $285)
Full/Queen Bed Ticket
Payment options:
Pay in full $1,800 (& SAVE $$!!)
2 Payments (2x $1000)
4 Payments (4x $500)
6 Payments (6x $350)
Available at checkout as well
This is NOT a quick content trip with a couple Q&A sessions.
Get ready for a fully immersive workshop experience that goes far beyond pretty photos. As photographers, learning your craft is only half the story. Building a strong business is just as important. Real education gives you the clarity, systems, and confidence you need to stand out in a crowded industry.
You will learn from speakers who bring real experience, real results, and real insight. They are here to teach you the strategies that help photographers grow, book better clients, and build a business that lasts. Their guidance is invaluable if you want to level up your craft and your career.
Welcome to Camp Cowboy Creative!
Our retreat home is a private lodge with three additional cabins set along the East Fork of the Bitterroot River in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley. The property has plenty of space for our full group, with large shared areas in the main lodge and quieter cabins nearby when you want to unplug. Mornings start slow with coffee by the river, afternoons are spent shooting and working, and evenings wind down with fires, hot tubs, and real downtime. Surrounded by mountains, wildlife, and easy access to hiking and fishing, it’s an easy, comfortable home base for both the creative work and the conversations that happen in between.
Photoshoots are still being finalized with models, locations, and hosts. While we get everything locked in, I put together a link with galleries from past retreats so you can see the style, energy, and quality you can expect. Every shoot we confirm will be intentional, scenic, and honestly pretty kickass. If you want to hear more about the concepts we are planning, reach out to the team and we will walk you through the vision. This retreat will specifically feature three cowboy and western lifestyle sessions. There will be no elopement or couples centered sessions at this retreat.
View Past Retreat Galleries
With Special Guests….
Phyllis Burchett
Phyllis Burchett is one of the most respected voices in western and equine photography today, a true horsewoman whose work has shaped how people around the world see the western lifestyle. Before she ever picked up a camera, Phyllis lived and breathed horses, managing and training in a large equine breeding operation where her deep understanding of movement, light and equine form was forged. In 2001 she discovered photography on a camping trip, and what began as a passion quickly grew into a career that has taken her across the United States, Canada, Europe and Iceland capturing iconic horses, landscapes and moments that feel as alive as the ranches they come from. Her images have been featured in major industry magazines like Western Horseman, Cowboys and Indians, Working Ranch Magazine and Horse & Rider, and her art and storytelling have helped elevate western photography into a recognized art form that resonates well beyond the ranch gate. Beyond her own work, Phyllis has become a mentor and leader in the creative community, hosting workshops, retreats and international photography tours and co-founding Cowgirls with Cameras, a community grounded in collaboration, growth and the spirit of the west. She’s lived the lifestyle she photographs and taught countless photographers not just technical skills but how to see and feel the world they’re documenting, making her an invaluable voice for anyone serious about capturing the soul of the west.
&
To be announced soon
Will you join us in Montana?
Bunkbed Ticket
Payment options:
Pay in full $1,500 (& SAVE $$!!)
2 Payments (2x $850)
4 Payments (4x $425)
6 Payments (6x $285)
Full/Queen Bed Ticket
Payment options:
Pay in full $1,800 (& SAVE $$!!)
2 Payments (2x $1000)
4 Payments (4x $500)
6 Payments (6x $350)
BUT DON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT
Hear from some of our past attendees
“Without a doubt, it was the most important investment I’ve made in myself and my photography business.” - Cassandra @cassandradalephoto
“The Cowboy Creative will change your life if you let it ... If you’re asking ‘should I go?’ my answer is always yes. A thousand times yes.” - Lizzie @greenhauscreative
“The Cowboy Creative made me a better photographer, a better entrepreneur, and a more confident business owner.” - McKenna @mckennasaigephotography
What this is
A business mastermind for western creatives who want to make real money without hating their life
A place to get clarity on pricing, positioning, and direction, not just “pretty work”
Small, intentional rooms where you’re known by name, not lost in the crowd
Equal parts strategy, creativity, and honest conversation about what’s actually working
A reset for photographers who are serious about longevity, not quick wins
Community that doesn’t end when the retreat does. Real relationships, ongoing support
What this isn’t
A styled shoot weekend where you just show up, shoot, and leave unchanged
A beginner photography class or technical camera bootcamp
A trend-chasing, copy-paste approach to western photography
A hustle-culture, work-until-you-burn-out mindset
A retreat for people who want validation more than growth
A passive experience where you sit, listen, and take notes without doing the work
A space where comparison, competition, or ego runs the room
MEET YOUR HOST
Hey friend! I’m Lauren, the founder of The Cowboy Creative, and the person who somehow turned a love for ranch life, business strategy, and storytelling into a full-blown retreat experience for western creatives. I built TCC because I kept meeting photographers and creators who were wildly talented but exhausted, isolated, and running businesses on fumes. I knew there had to be a place where you could grow your craft, sharpen your strategy, and get your spark back all at the same time.
This retreat is part business mastermind, part creative reset, part community that actually feels like community. Around here we talk pricing without shame, put together some badass photoshoots, ask real questions, and walk away with new friends who get what you do.
If you’re craving clarity in your business, fresh inspiration, and a group of people who cheer for you without competition, you’re in the right place. I’m glad you’re here already.
FAQs
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Yes! We offer a payment plan option to help you spread out your investment. Details are available during checkout.
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Due to the limited nature of this event, all sales are final. If you can no longer attend, you may transfer your ticket to someone else.
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We totally understand that everyone has their preferences! Luckily this retreat has no shared beds but when selecting your ticket you choose between a bunkbed style or a solo full or queen bed.
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All levels are welcome! Whether you’re just starting or are an experienced creative, you’ll find valuable education and opportunities to grow your business.
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The nearest airport is the Missoula Montana Airport, and from there, you can rent a car or coordinate a ride with other attendees. Another option would be to fly into Billings and drive from there, although it is further away there tend to be more flight options.
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No! All western creatives are welcome. While we do offer 3 styled photoshoots for photographers to build their portfolios, the retreat is designed to help any creative grow their business—whether you’re a designer, social media manager, or anything in between.
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Once everyone is booked, we add all attendees to a group chat so you can share travel plans. People with similar flight times usually team up and split a rental car for the drive to the Airbnb. It’s an easy way to save money, meet each other, and make the trip way more fun!
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The full schedule will be shared closer to the retreat, but plan to arrive at the property by 4pm on Thursday, the 2nd. Departure is flexible on Monday the 6th, with our final group activity wrapping up around 10pm on Sunday evening. If you’d prefer an early flight, you’re welcome to head out Monday morning at your convenience.
If you are still feeling on the fence…
What if you could talk directly with past attendees and hear what the experience was actually like? These women have agreed to answer questions, share honest feedback, and talk through whether this retreat is the right fit for you.
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Madi is one of those people who walks into a room with a clear point of view and a style that’s entirely her own. An absolute badass in the truest sense. After attending her first Cowboy Creative retreat, she made the leap to take her business full time and hasn’t looked back since. What started as a dream turned into a business that now fully supports her life in ways she once only imagined. Watching her growth from that first retreat to where she is now has been one of the greatest joys to witness. She continues to meet with Lauren for mentorship sessions about once a quarter, describing them as genuinely business-altering and a key part of how she’s stayed focused, confident, and intentional as she’s grown.
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Andrea has attended two Cowboy Creative retreats, first in Colorado and then again in Tucson, and she shows up to each one with the same mindset. Open, curious, and ready to learn something new, even after more than eight years in the photography industry. She’s no stranger to styled shoots and creative events, but what keeps bringing her back is that TCC goes deeper. Yes, we make strong images, but the real value comes from the education, the business conversations, and the relationships that form along the way. She walked away from both retreats with a clear, realistic business plan, raised her prices significantly to match her demand and experience, and gained the confidence to take her business seriously as she continues working toward full time.ext goes here
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Debby came into her retreat on the edge of walking away from photography after 15 years in business, burned out and unsure if she wanted to keep going. She described it as her last Hail Mary. As an editorial wedding photographer, she wasn’t coming from the western world at all, yet stepping into something completely outside her comfort zone ended up being the reset she didn’t know she needed. Working in a new environment helped her reconnect with curiosity, remember why she started, and see her work with fresh eyes. She left with renewed clarity, confidence, and a genuine excitement for her business again, not because everything changed overnight, but because she finally had the space to pause, reflect, and move forward with intention.
SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
A little reminder that the same routines will only take you so far. If you have been looking for a sign to step up, grow, and finally bet on yourself, this is it. Hit that button, get ready for one of the best weekends of your life, and watch what happens when you give your business the chance to level up.
I know you want to join us in Montana
Bunkbed Ticket
Payment options:
Pay in full $1,500 (& SAVE $$!!)
2 Payments (2x $850)
4 Payments (4x $425)
6 Payments (6x $285)
Full/Queen Bed Ticket
Payment options:
Pay in full $1,800 (& SAVE $$!!)
2 Payments (2x $1000)
4 Payments (4x $500)
6 Payments (6x $350)