BANFF, ALBERTA
PHOTOGRAPHY RETREAT
SEPTEMBER. 5-7TH, 2025
- THE AMAZING OPPORTUNITY TO SHOOT AROUND BANFF WITH NOT ONE- BUT TWO AWESOME PHOTOGRAPHERS TO SHOW YOU THE BEST LOCATIONS.
- 3 DAYS & 2 NIGHTS SHARED ACCOMMODATIONS IN A BEAUTIFUL GROUP VILLA.
- WELCOME GROUP DINNER & WELCOME GIFTS!
- FIVE AMAZING STYLED SHOOTS WITH REAL MODEL COUPLES - 3 ELOPEMENTS | 1 PROPOSAL | 1 CASUAL COUPLES.
- A SHUTTLE TO ONE OF BANFF'S MOST ICONIC LOCATIONS!- YES! WE ARE SHOOTING HERE!
- PERMIT TO SHOOT IN BANFF NATIONAL PARK.
- GUIDANCE ON HOW TO PURCHASE A BANFF BUSINESS LICENSE IN ORDER TO PROFESSIONALLY ADVERTISE.
- KNOWLEDGE ON PHOTOGRAPHING IN A NATIONAL PARK & LEAVE NO TRACE PRINCIPLES.
- BREAKFAST & DAILY SNACKS.
- FREE TIME TO RELAX OR EXPLORE BANFF WITH NEW FRIENDS!
- OPTIONAL Q&A WITH BOTH MELISSA & ABBY!
- ACCESS TO A PRIVATE GROUP CHAT AFTER BOOKING! THIS GIVES YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET EVERYONE WHSO IS GOING BEFORE HAND, AND THE OPTION TO MAKE TRAVEL PLANS TOGETHER!
- NETWORKING! YOU'LL MEET OTHER PHOTOGRAPHERS & VENDORS, AND BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEOPLE IN OUR INDUSTRY.
- EXPERIENCE! THIS LOCATION WILL PROVIDE YOU THE EXPERTISE ON HOW TO SHOOT IN A NATIONAL PARK, AS WELL AS INFORMATION TO PASS ONTO FUTURE CLIENTS.
- YOUR VERY OWN COPY OF OUR WANDERING RETREATS, SHOOT-REFLECT-GROW WORKBOOK.
- INFORMATION ON WHAT TO PACK- WEATHER DEPENDANT!
- OPTIONAL HEADSHOTS WITH ABBY!
what's included:
APPLY NOW!
NOT INCLUDED: Flights, Transportation aside from the one shuttle, One dinner & Banff business license.
With This Retreat
YOU'LL WALK AWAY WITH. . .
AND SO MUCH MORE!
Breathtaking images captured in Banff’s iconic landscapes, helping you attract your dream clients
The Shoot | Reflect | Grow Workbook – A guided tool to help you gain clarity on your business, reflect on your goals, and map out your next steps.
You’ll leave this retreat not just with stunning images, but with a renewed sense of creativity and purpose—ready to take your photography to new heights.
You'll be challenged, inspired, and walk away not just as a better photographer, but as a more fearless, driven version of yourself
Genuine Industry Connections – A supportive network of like-minded photographers to inspire, collaborate with, and grow alongside.
You’ll receive a thoughtfully curated welcome gift packed with warmth and local charm.
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RETREAT TIMELINE
- Everyone Arrives!
- Greetings + Welcome Goodies.
- Meet the Group.
- Welcome Dinner & Drinks.
- Free time + Shoot | Reflect| Grow time.
- Head to bed for an early start the next morning.
- Breakfast, Coffee & Getting ready.
- Catch an Early Morning Shuttle to Our First Location.
- Proposal & Elopement Sessions at Sunrise.
- Free time + Optional Q&A with Abby & Melissa.
- Hiking Elopement Session at Sunset.
- Group Dinner out in Town!
- Breakfast, Coffee & Getting Ready.
- Head to Our First Location of The Day.
- Lantern Sunrise Elopement Session.
- Head to Our Last Location for our morning Golden Hour Couples Session.
- Head back to the villa to pack up.
- Hugs + Goodbyes!
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER.5TH
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER.7TH
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER.6TH
ONLY 8 SPOTS AVAILABLE
OUR MOODBOARDS!
Our Banff retreat features five incredible styled shoots set in some of the most breathtaking locations in the Rockies. With three intimate elopements, a surprise proposal, and a relaxed couple’s session, each shoot is thoughtfully curated to highlight the natural beauty and romance of Banff. We’ve carefully selected these iconic locations to provide stunning backdrops and unforgettable moments. We can’t wait to bring these visions to life and share this inspiring experience with you!
3 ELOPEMENTS | 1 PROPOSAL | 1 COUPLE SHOOT
Introducing. . .
YOUR HOSTS!
I’m all about exploring the world with a camera in hand, and that passion has led me to something even bigger—Wandering Retreats! What started as a love for photography and travel has transformed into hosting incredible retreats for photographers who crave adventure, growth, and connection. There’s nothing more fulfilling than bringing creatives together in breathtaking destinations, capturing unforgettable moments, and sharing the journey.
But beyond the camera and epic travels, my heart belongs to my family. My adorable son, Hayden, is my world—he keeps me on my toes and fills my days with so much love and laughter. When I’m not behind the lens, you’ll probably find me at a hockey rink or baseball field, cheering him on. I’m also beyond grateful for my amazing and supportive partner, Brendan, who not only encourages my dreams but also joins me on most of my international retreats. Traveling the world with him by my side makes these experiences even more special, and I truly couldn’t do this without him!
Oh, and did I mention I’m a total coffee addict? A good latte is my weakness, and I’ll never turn down a coffee run—no matter the time of day.
Wandering Retreats has given me the chance to combine all the things I love—photography, travel, and building an incredible creative community. If you’re craving adventure, connection, and a space to grow both personally and professionally, grab your camera and come explore with me. Let’s chase the light, capture unforgettable moments, and make magic—together!
the face behind wandering retreats
ICAN'T WAIT TO MEET YOU!
Hey there! I’m Abby, one of the hosts for our Banff Retreat, and I couldn’t be more excited to be part of this incredible experience with you. I’ve always had a deep love for travel and adventure, and I’m always ready to go anywhere to capture love stories. My photography journey started thanks to my husband—my high school sweetheart—who gifted me the camera that launched my career. Now, after 3 years in business, I’ve built a brand that allows me to capture life’s most meaningful moments, and I truly love every second of it. When I’m not behind the camera, you can probably find me at Starbucks or Vintage Coffee Bar, indulging in a caramel latte (at literally any time of day). I’m also a proud dog mom to three pups—and if I could, I’d have a house full of them! I can’t wait to connect, create, and grow alongside you in the breathtaking landscapes of Banff.
Let’s make this retreat unforgettable!
THE CREATIVE BEHIND ABBY
MACHACEK PHOTOGRAPHY
WHY WANDERING RETREATS WAS MADE FOR YOU. . .
You want hands-on experience shooting diverse, inspiring landscapes.
You love adventure and want to explore epic destinations without traveling alone.
You’re ready to invest in yourself and elevate your photography career.
You want to attract dream clients who value your unique style and creativity
You’re looking to connect with like-minded photographers and grow your network.
You crave time to reflect and realign your business vision and goals.
You’re ready to create a standout portfolio with stunning images from breathtaking locations.
ONLY 8 SPOTS AVAILABLE!
Want to lock in your spot stress-free? Choose the Pay in Full option and enjoy a seamless booking experience. No monthly payments, no deadlines—just one quick step to secure your place at the retreat and start counting down to an unforgettable adventure!
Prefer a flexible payment plan? Our 4 Equal Payments option makes securing your spot easy and stress-free! Split the total cost into four manageable payments, giving you more time to plan while still locking in your place at the retreat.
PAY IN FULL
4 MONTHLY PAYMENTS
APPLY NOW
APPLY NOW
$2,700 CAD – Available until February.21st
$3,000 CAD – Regular Price After Early Bird Ends
$3,200 CAD – Single Bed Option (Only 2 Spots Available)
$675 x 4 payments for Early Bird ($2,700 total)
$750 x 4 payments for Regular Price ($3,000 total)
$800 x 4 payments for Single Bed Option ($3,200 total)
💡 Spots are limited, and early bird pricing won’t last—secure your place today!
Early Bird Pricing (Limited Time!)
PAYMENT PLAN OPTIONS:
let's book!
$2,700 cad
$675 cad
At Wandering Retreats, we believe in more than just capturing stunning images—we want to help you build the photography business you’ve always dreamed of. This starts with honest reflection and intentional action, which is why we offer Shoot | Reflect | Grow as an optional deep-dive experience to help you assess where you are in your journey and where you truly want to go.
Every attendee WILL receive a Shoot | Reflect | Grow workbook, filled with the hard but necessary questions—the ones that push you to take a real, unfiltered look at your business, uncover what’s working, recognize what’s not, and define a clear plan for growth. This isn’t about setting vague goals—it’s about identifying roadblocks, owning your strengths, and creating a strategic action plan to shape the business you actually want.
Whether you choose to work through it during the retreat or take it home for later reflection, this guide is here to help you gain clarity, refocus, and take meaningful steps toward your future. No forced exercises, no required discussions—just space for you to think deeply, strategize intentionally, and step into your next chapter with confidence.
Shoot | Reflect | Grow
A Deep Dive Into Your Photography Journey
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