Join Elena Blair and Bre Thurston for a one of a kind photography retreat where we will re-ignite your love of photography. You will enjoy two blissful days of relaxation, education, and friendship. Put down your pen and paper and learn hands-on and face to face with Elena and Bre, two photographers who believe that loving what you do is paramount to finding your success.

Imagine a time where you are away from your day to day stresses. Imagine waking up and doing yoga with a few new friends, followed by a fresh breakfast and warm coffee. Next, get cleaned up and join Elena and Bre and your fellow attendees for a day filled with conversation, shooting, laughing, and learning. At the end of the day you will enjoy a wonderful chef-prepared dinner, pour yourself a glass of wine, and sit down with laptops to discuss your images and work on editing. While we may not all know one another (yet), this is a time for rejuvenation, inspiration, and education.

Where we've been so far:
Malibu, CA (SOLD OUT)
Bainbridge Island, WA (SOLD OUT)
Austin, TX (SOLD OUT)
April 2018 | Napa Valley, CA (Sold out)
May 2018 | Napa Valley, CA (SOLD OUT)
September 2018 | Portland, ME (Sold out)

THE EXPERIENCE

A two-hour interactive shoot-out were we will photograph a family together, parents/couple, children alone, and demo our interaction, posing, and techniques.

Portfolio reviews

Business coaching

Basic editing instruction

How to define your style and find your voice

Goal planning and "what's next" for you

Full days with both Elena and Bre as open book instructors

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Lodging in a beautiful, private home (rooms and possibly beds will be shared)

Chef prepared meals, snacks, + beer/wine

Private yoga instruction

Gift bags with things we love and great items from our sponsors

Transportation to and from shoots

A special "location-centric" activity

Elena and Bre met in Seattle, WA in 2012 and became fast friends. They bonded over their mutual passion for photography, joyful storytelling, their children, and life in general. Elena is a successful family and portrait photographer in Seattle, WA while Bre now lives in Northern California and travels all over the country to photograph weddings and families.

Together, they came up with the idea to share what they love with an intimate group of other photographers. A seedling of an idea quickly turned into something tangible and Blair + Thurston was born. Both Elena and Bre share the philosophy that what you photograph should be what moves you, whether you are shooting for yourself or for clients. Photos do not need perfection, but they need a voice and the love of a photographer behind the camera.

We cannot wait to spend an amazing weekend with you!

$2000
$500 due at time of registration

Includes: lodging, all meals/snacks/drinks, transportation to shoots, instruction, and private yoga

Does not include: transportation to the retreat/airfare

A $500 non-refundable deposit will secure your space at the retreat. The deposit can be transferred to another person if you cannot fulfill your obligation. The remaining balance will be due 30 days before the retreat.

"Bre and Elena are what the industry standards should strive to become.  Their passion is not solely for the act of taking a picture.  It’s for the process, the actual technicality of a great capture but more so about the process of voice.  Vision.  Truth.  And this process includes reaching out to other photographers and holding them close, opening up to them, pushing them in a way that is truthful but so so so good for the artistic soul."

We are thrilled to have partnered up with some of our favorite brands in the industry. These amazing sponsors will be offering you free products, discounts, and other fun perks.

If you're a company and interested in working with us, please shoot an email to blairandthurston@gmail.com. Thanks!