The Saltwater Retreat
Cape Hatteras, Outer Banks, NC
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A womenβs photography retreat designed to educate, inspire and awaken your creativity on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
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Open to all levels and cameras
Open to all level of photographer and all types of cameras- dSLR, mirrorless, point and shoot, instant, film camera, or your cell phone!
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Intimate Group
Small group limited to up to 5 attendees
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All Inclusive $2500
Your investment includes private accommodations, in home meals, snacks & beverages, and transportation during the retreat.
The Details
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β’ Introductory virtual chat & private online group to get to know your new friends
β’ 5 days of photographic opportunities and discussion with like-minded women
β’ Individualized hands-on instruction during immersive shooting sessions
β’ 5 nights of private accommodations in a spacious beach home
β’ At home meals, snacks, beverages, and cocktails for the duration of the retreat.
β’ Transportation during the retreat
β’ Admission to botanical gardens
β’ New friends, lots of laughs, and more memories than you can count -
β’ Transportation to/from Avon, NC
β’ Travel insurance
β’ Personal gear, clothing, and photographic equipment
β’ Meals, snacks, beverages outside of the rental home
β’ Admission to locations not listed above
β’ Souvenirs & purchases -
6:30 am Sunrise shooting session
8:30 am Breakfast & coffee
10 am Guided photography discussion
12 pm Lunch on the deck
1 pm Free time to explore, rest, review images
3 pm Afternoon shooting excursion
5:30pm Sunset shooting session
7:30 pm Dinner -
These are a few of the places we will likely visit during The Saltwater Retreat
β’ Bodie Island Lighthouse
β’ Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
β’ Oregon Inlet Lifesaving Station
β’ Avon Fishing Pier
β’ Rodanthe Fishing Pier
β’ Jennetteβs Pier
β’ Pamlico Sound
β’ Outer Banks Sand Dunes
β’ Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
β’ The Village of Manteo
β’ Local shops -
While I believe you will come away with so much more than can be
listed, here are a few specific topics we will cover.
β’ How to photograph landscapes, seascapes, and coastal scenes
β’ How to photograph beyond the grand landscape and seascape and document the details others overlook
β’ How to photograph long exposures and intentional camera movement (ICM)
β’ Understanding the relationship between focal length, aperture, and distance
β’ How to use a tripod and neutral density filter
β’ How to improve composition using perspective and shooting techniques
β’ How to find inspiration in the scene when you are overwhelmed
β’ How to slow down, connect with your surroundings, and use your senses to improve your photographs
β’ How to decode and determine what and how you enjoy photographing
β’ How to tell the story of a place
β’ And much more! -
While the retreat will be full of activity, there will be breaks built-in throughout the day to offer you some downtime to rest, connect with your family back home, sight-see, or catch up on work.
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The Saltwater Retreat retreat provides an environment for guidance and suggestion while allowing you the opportunity to explore concepts and ideas on their your while taking the opportunity to explore intentional practice.
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All locations subject to change
Connect with the photographer you are meant to be.
The Saltwater Retreat is a time for you to explore who you are, what you love, and identify what really matters to you and how you want to share that in your photography.
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You're invited...
Join me on this womenβs photography retreat in the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina. Hatteras Island is a picturesque barrier island surrounded on all sides by the Atlantic Ocean offering bountiful photography opportunities. A beautiful beach home will serve as our base camp for the duration of the retreat.
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To experience....
We will kick off the retreat on Sunday evening with a welcome happy hour and an evening spent getting to know one another. Over the following 4 days, we will visit coastal landmarks providing a wealth of shooting variety. We will spend an afternoon beachcombing, seeking out those overlooked details that many people walk right past without photographing. We will make a day trip to a small village called Manteo which is rich in American and Native American history. There will be opportunities for photographing seascapes, nature, macro, wildlife, cultural and travel scenes. Throughout the retreat, I will provide individualized guidance and support while you are shooting. With a maximum of 5 attendees, you can expect personalized attention in an intimate setting.
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To grow....
Each day we will have an intimate discussion, talking through many of the challenges, fears, and concerns we face as photographers. You can expect intimate discussions on recognizing and facing your fears, overcoming obstacles and slumps, and building a strong, identifiable collection of images that you are proud of. We will discuss how using post-processing techniques through Lightroom can help put the finishing touches on your photographs. We will discuss websites, social media, and sharing your images and the challenges and benefits that presents. But, mostly, we will dig deep into ways to create images that identify with who you are and what you are trying to say through your art.
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To feel...
This experience is framed as an intimate retreat where you are encouraged to not only connect with your fellow attendees but also to find a deeper connection with yourself and the photographs that you long to create. My hope is that you will leave the island feeling revived and inspired, ready to take on your next photography project. My goal is for you to find peace at the beach and enjoy the quiet connection that I find when Iβm shooting along the shores. I believe that saltwater can calm even the most hectic of minds and I hope that you will leave the retreat feeling relaxed, inspired, and connected with yourself and your photography in a way you hadnβt experienced before.
Have questions?
Schedule a chat to talk about what to expect at The Saltwater Retreat.
The retreat will include:
Introductory virtual chat & private online group to get to know your new friends
5 days of photographic opportunities and discussion with like-minded women
Individualized hands-on instruction during immersive shooting sessions
5 nights of private lodging in a spacious soundfront beach home
At home meals, snacks, beverages, and cocktails for the duration of the retreat
Transportation during the retreat
Admission fees to botanical gardens
New friends, lots of laughs, and more memories than you can count
F.A.Q.
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With typical highs in the 70s and lows in the 60s, the temperature remains comfortable. Rain is always possible, so please come prepared to shoot in a variety of weather conditions
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Camera- dSLR or mirrorless camera capable of shooting on manual mode. Film cameras, instant cameras, point and shoot, and cell phone cameras are welcome but might not offer the level of technical controls we will discuss.
Lenses- A variety of lenses is nice to have, but magic can be made with one lens. A wide angle can be fun, particularly on a crop sensor. And a telephoto is helpful for shooting sunrises/sunsets, wildlife, and flowers. My favorite all around lens is the 24-74 f2.8 lens. Itβs a reliable workhorse for me. Additionally a telephone lens will help photograph shorebirds and distant sights.Tripod- I prefer lightweight travel style tripods. My current favorite tripod is the Travel Tripod by Peak Design. You will want a tripod studying enough to withstand sand and wind holding the weight of your camera and heaviest lens.
Filters- I recommend a neutral density and/or dark circular polarizing filter for long exposures.
Rain/Dust Cover- this will also help if the wind is off the water and there is sea spray.
Optional- Laptop or Tablet with Lightroom updated and installed.
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I would expect it to be in the mid 70s for the retreat. I would suggest bringing layers, as the temperatures often dips in the mornings evenings. And if a northeast wind comes in, youβll want plenty of warmth to shield you from the sea breeze!
Dress as you feel the most comfortable, keeping in mind we will be spending lots of time on the beach.
Rain boots and jackets are recommended as we will shoot in misty weather if it occurs. I donβt expect anyone to take their cameras out in a downpour (I wonβt be), but sometimes even the sea spray makes you feel like wearing a waterproof jacket. And the boots will be helpful for pulling on for walks on the beach if you prefer not to be barefoot or if itβs chilly.
Sneakers or other comfy shoes are recommend for the day of our outing as we will be doing plenty of walking.
I need to also ask a favor of you all. I have an allergy to perfumes and artificial fragrances so please refrain from wearing perfumes or scented lotions.
Please let me know if you have any questions or need any help with packing ideas!
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Our ocean front cottage offers an elevator and decks overlooking the ocean. While sand provides a challenge, we have the ability to rent a beach wheelchair if needed. Most of our day trip locations provide handicap accessibility. Please reach out to me to discuss this further.
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Because the island is so remote, the closest airport is in Norfolk, VA, about 2.5 hours away. It is recommended that you work with the other attendees to share a rental car and reduce expenses. Transportation will be provided after your arrival during the retreat.
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YES! All dietary preferences and restrictions are discussed ahead of time and accommodated to the best of our ability.
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This retreat is non-refundable. However, should you find another person to fill your spot prior to 60 days before the retreat date, you may transfer your registration to another person, less processing fees. There are no exceptions to this policy.
I will make every attempt to operate a retreat as planned, however, I do reserve the right to cancel, modify, or change a trip, at any time due to insufficient bookings and/or any other reasons I deem valid and/or reasons beyond my control that might create unsafe or undesirable travel conditions for the participants.
I strongly encourage you to purchase trip insurance and refundable flights to protect yourself in the event of unexpected circumstances preventing you from attending the retreat. I recommend Travelguard or World Nomads.
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We welcome adult guests of all ages! Weβve hosted all ages from 22-72.
Read about the previous Saltwater Retreat experiences:
βI didnβt want it to end, but when it did I left with a better understanding of myself as a photographer, new techniques and visions to experiment with and a strong group of women who are not only my friends but my support group!β
β Sharon
About Hatteras Island
Hatteras Island is a tiny strip of land that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. The entire island is called Cape Hatteras National Seashore and is protected like any national park. While it is developed, many places on the island and wild and remote, with limited access only on foot. The east side offers incredible sunrises over gorgeous dunes and long sandy beaches. The island makes a sharp turn west, allowing the beach to face south and offering a unique perspective on seeing the ocean. Here the beaches are wide and littered with shells and the footprints of beautiful birds that will be on their wintering journey south in mid-October. The island is bordered on the west side by the Pamlico Sound offering still, shallow waters and breathtaking sunsets.
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Our Group Space
A gorgeous waterfront home offering incredible soundfront views, private beach access, a spacious interior, multiple decks, pool, and hot tub where you can wind down with your favorite beverage after the events of the day. The home offers spacious living areas for us to spread out our gear and be comfortable as well as plenty of space for privacy.
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Your Private Oasis
Your accommodation will be a spacious & comfortable private bedroom and private bathroom. Linens are provided and laundry facilities are available. Please note that while there is an elevator, there are multiple flights of stairs in the home.
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The Location
Situated on the shores of the Pamlico Sound, this home offers sunset views directly off the deck. A private boardwalk leads directly to the sandy shores providing a private spot to watch the sunset over the sound