The Cowboy Creative Utah Retreat
February 26 - March 2, 2026
Maybe you’ve been grinding nonstop. Shooting every weekend. Trying new ideas. Showing up on social. Doing all the things you’re told to do. But something still feels stuck. You love the work, but the constant hustle is starting to drain the joy out of it, and you’re left wondering what actually moves the needle anymore.
Maybe you’re craving direction. You want clarity in your business, a plan that feels doable, and systems that give you your time back instead of stealing it.
Or maybe you keep seeing photographers online who look like they’ve cracked the code. They’re booking aligned clients, raising their prices, and running a brand that feels effortless.
And a part of you thinks…
I want that
I just have no idea where to start.
Now picture a few slow mornings in the mountain. Quiet air. Wide open views. Space to actually breathe and think again. This retreat isn’t about stuffing your portfolio with more images. It’s about learning how to build a business that supports your life instead of running your life.
Over four days, you’ll get workshops on workflows, marketing, and client experience that cut through the noise and show you what truly works. You’ll shoot in unreal locations, talk shop with people who get the industry, and finally feel that spark of clarity you’ve been looking for.
This retreat is part business mastermind, part creative reset. You’ll head home with a stronger vision, a clearer brand, and the confidence to grow your business with intention instead of guesswork.
ARE YOU READY TO TAKE YOUR WESTERN PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL?
• Your photography doesn’t just look beautiful, it feels meaningful and leaves a lasting impression.
• Burnout is replaced with fresh inspiration, and you actually feel excited to pick up your camera again.
• You’re known for your creative voice, the one that sets you apart and draws in clients who value what you do.
• You have a community of photographers who get it, who understand the late nights, the self-doubt, and the creative highs, and they’re cheering you on every step of the way.
• You’re learning alongside people who inspire you, sharing ideas, and building connections that go beyond business.
IMAGINE A WORLD WHERE:
• You finally understand your numbers and your strategy, and those dream income goals start feeling realistic, not far away.
• You deliver galleries that make clients cry happy tears because your work tells their story, not just a pretty scene.
• Word of mouth becomes your best marketing tool because your clients can’t stop raving about you.
• The right clients find you naturally, and your calendar fills with work that fuels you.
• That quiet voice of doubt starts to fade, replaced with confidence and clarity in your craft and your direction.
• You wake up to an inbox full of inquiries, not because you hustled harder but because you finally found your flow.
IMAGINE A WEEKEND WHERE THIS BECOMES YOUR REALITY.
DOESN’T THAT SOUND LIKE WHAT YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR?
What if we told you:
There’s a space designed to help you slow down, find clarity, and reconnect with why you started in the first place. A space where you can create in breathtaking locations, learn from people who’ve built lasting businesses, and find a community that feels like home.
What if we also told you that in just one weekend, you could walk away with the tools, connections, and confidence to take your business to the next level and build something that truly lasts?
Sounds pretty amazing, right?
Introducing: The Ultimate Western Photography Experience
The Cowboy Creative
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.
SO, WHAT'S INCLUDED?
Core Retreat Admission
Full Admission to The Cowboy Creative Retreat & Workshop
5 Days, 4 Nights in an Amazing Airbnb (Value: $946)
Entire Luxury Mountain Retreat
Professional Development & Learning Opportunities
5 Teaching Sessions by Lauren & Guest Speakers (Value: $8,000)
6 Hours of Business Training
Exclusive Workshop Materials & Resources
Hands-On Creative & Business Building Experiences
3 Total Portfolio-Building Styled Shoots (Value: $1,500)
In-Person 1:1 Coaching Session with Lauren (Value: $500)
Headshots and Branding Photos (Value: $500)
All-Inclusive Comforts
8 meals Homemade & Provided During the Workshop (Value: $400)
Welcome Gift Bag
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 After the Retreat
*Ticket Is Non-Refundable
*Travel & Transportation To And From Workshop Not Included
Orderville, Utah
February 26–March 2, 2026
Only 12 of you will join us in Utah
$1700
Available at checkout
This isn't just a content weekend with a couple Q&A Sessions
Get ready for a fully immersive workshop experience.
As photographers, taking great photos is only part of the journey. Building a strong, sustainable business is what keeps your creativity thriving for the long haul.
Education is at the heart of this retreat. You’ll gain real tools, practical strategies, and powerful insight to help you grow in a competitive industry. This experience is designed to help you strengthen your business, refine your craft, and leave with clarity and confidence for what comes next.
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
MOOD BOARDS
MOOD BOARDS
Photoshoots are still being finalized with models, locations, vendors, and hosts. While we lock everything in, I put together a link with galleries from past retreats so you can get a feel for the style, energy, and quality you can expect. Every shoot we confirm will be intentional, breathtaking, and honestly pretty kickass. If you want to hear more about the concepts we’re planning, reach out to the team and we’ll walk you through the vision.
Welcome to your luxury mountain retreat in East Zion
Our retreat home is a modern cabin set right in the red rock country near Orderville, with big open views and plenty of space to unwind. It fits our whole group comfortably, with large common areas, a fully stocked kitchen, and floor to ceiling windows that bring the landscape right inside. Mornings on the deck, evenings in the hot tub, and simple downtime all feel easy here. We’re close to Zion, Bryce Canyon, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, and some of the best scenery in the region, which makes this a solid home base for both the shoots and the work we’ll be doing together.
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.
With Special Guest….
Baleigh Creed
Baleigh Creed is one of the most recognizable names in western wedding photography, and for good reason. Her work has helped shape what modern western weddings look like today. Refined but still rooted. Elevated without losing the grit or heart of the lifestyle. She has an instinct for storytelling that translates beautifully into weddings, where real moments matter more than perfection.
Beyond her photography, Baleigh is also the owner of Western Wedding Magazine, a publication dedicated to showcasing western weddings, creatives, and brands doing things well in this space. Through the magazine, she’s played a huge role in giving western photographers and vendors a platform that actually reflects the industry they’re part of, not a watered-down version of it. That kind of leadership has positioned her as not just a photographer, but a tastemaker within the western wedding world.
And then there’s Baleigh the human. She brings energy into every room she walks into. The kind of energy that makes people feel instantly comfortable, excited, and motivated all at once. She’s bold, opinionated in the best way, deeply passionate about this industry, and not afraid to do things differently. That mix of authority, creativity, and personality is exactly why people trust her and why her work stands out.
Having Baleigh in Utah feels less like “guest speaker” and more like having a friend in the room who pushes the conversation forward just by being herself. We’re lucky to have her, and this group is going to feel that energy the second she shows up.
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.
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! Although we are not able to offer any discounts at this time, you may choose to obtain lodging for yourself outside of the AirBnB. We can provide you with a list of recommended hotels!
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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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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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We recommend Las Vegas (LAS) since it’s the largest nearby airport and offers the most flight options. From there, it’s about a 3 hour drive to the Airbnb.
There’s also a smaller, closer airport in St. George (SGU) that’s roughly a 2 hour drive from the retreat. -
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!
SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
Gentle reminder that what got you here won’t get you there. If you’ve been waiting for an opportunity or sign to invest in yourself: this is it. So click that button, prepare to have the best dang week of your life, and watch your business explode.