THE DEVELOPING STORY

Instructors: Sabine Meyer, Director of Photography for Audubon & Morgan Heim, National Geographic Explorer/iLCP Senior Fellow

RESERVE

Oct. 9-13, 2026 Astoria, OR

DESCRIPTION

We’re here to help you push past the feeling of, “I’m stuck.”

During this long weekend, we’ll:

  • dive into what you’ve done so far

  • help you think about story and ways to edit and present your strongest work — whether to a gallerist, an editor, or a grant panel.

  • structure and shape a strong project portfolio,

  • hone your story-based photography skills

  • create a visual roadmap for where to go next.

  • relax, lots of relax

Classroom time happens in the backyard studio, salon-style: discussion, portfolio sharing, and getting distracted by wildlife. We’ll review the project you bring, and the images produced during field sessions. All while keeping it cazh.

Woven throughout the weekend, unwind and restore through a number of offerings: Japanese sauna, a morning hike, a quiet hour of nature bathing. This trip, you’ll enjoy a coastal forest meander on a guided mushroom hunt. 

Evenings stay unstructured on purpose — firepit, music, homemade meals — with at least one night out at one of Astoria's acclaimed restaurants

Day By Day

  • Arrival day: Aim to arrive by 5pm to enjoy an evening of food, beverage and settling in.

  • Coffee & Breakfast Hangout before refilling our cups and heading down for our first studio session.

    Mid-day break

    Studio Session 2

    In the afternoon, we’ll join Melisa Colvin on a guided mushroom hunt in the woods. Cameras optional

    Evening on the town.

  • Coffee and morning studio session, followed by a field trip to practice the storytelling image.

    Mid-day break

    Afternoon beach walk.

    Cooking with friends, as conversations move to the living room.

  • Breakfast chats

    Morning studio session

    Mid-day break

    Nature-bathing at Willapa Bay National Wildlife Refuge followed by Japanese sauna, featuring heated pools and sauna.

    Dinner and conversations around the firepit

  • Day of departure, where we’ll feel happy and refreshed, and sad to see you go.

MUSHROOM HUNTING

JAPANESE SAUNA

We are big fans of sauna in the PNW. Ofuro spa is a type of traditional Japanese sauna embodied by deep hydrotherapy in natural settings. The perfect pairing to cool Oregon afternoons. On our way there, we’ll soak in the scenery with a nature walk in Willapa Bay.

Snow Peak Campfield, Long Beach, WA

Check out the Luxury 
* Restorative activities and specific venues may be substituted with a comparable experience if unavailable. This does not affect pricing or refund eligibility.

A view of the coastline along Willapa Bay.

RESERVE YOUR RETREAT/SPA DATE

(2 spots left!)

Yes, please!

Get In Touch

Want to learn more about the retreats, or give hints on what you’re interested in for a future one? Drop us a note.