July 6-8 | Crested Butte, ColoradoCrested Butte Retreat
We made this retreat for you — a photographer who…
Knows they want to book more elopements/micro-weddings/intimate celebrations but doesn’t quite have the portfolio to show for it yet.
Is searching for that “next” thing to get them fired up and excited about growing their photography business!
Needs more Colorado mountains in their life (and portfolio!) Whether you are newer to photography, or new to Colorado — the mountains are calling!
What to Expect:
We gather in the Rocky Mountains each year to reset, connect, and create work as photographers that truly reflects where you want your business to be headed. This retreat blends elevated education, intentional shooting, and community-driven inspiration — all during peak wildflower season in the Colorado mountains!
❋ 4 Uniquely Styled ShootsDesigned with a Colorado-forward portfolio in mind, we are planning 4 incredible and highly styled shoots — 3 elopement, 1 micro-wedding themed. 4 different couples, 4 different romance stories to tell through your work.
Valued at $1600 for 4 shoots
❋ Additional Business ResourcesIt takes a lot to turn your photography hobby/passion into a business. And there are so many incredible tools, resources, materials…etc. that we will be giving to all the attendees to help in different areas of organization, back-end logistics, marketing, editing…etc.
Valued at $800
❋ Small GroupsWe are limiting our attendee count to only 8 attendees — we believe small, intimate group settings foster deeper connection and a more tight-knit group feeling (and no fighting for “the shot” at the styled shoots!)
❋ Education + IntentionMorning education lead by an industry educator (TBA) and intentionally lead conversations prior-to and during the retreat. Designed to inspire and elevate both the artist and CEO that is the incredible you!
Valued at $1200
❋ Pre & Post Retreat Group CallsWe understand it can take a lot of trust and confidence to commit to spending 3 days with new people sharing the same house. We want you feel comfortable with all the other attendees prior to check-in (and give us a chance to chat details more in depth!) We will also have a post-retreat call to keep everyone accountable on their goals and actually DOING something with the content and photos you get at the retreat!
❋ Luxe Mountain Getaway2 nights in a luxe-mountian VRBO fit with a private chef to provide 5 meals across the retreat. Mountain views, separate beds, plenty of gathering space…we want this to feel like the mountain reset we are all craving!
Valued at $900
Rooted in the Rockies — Designed to Elevate.
Your Hosts:
Emily Carter
Founder of Elevated Shoots + Photo/VideographerShe puts the “ho” in “styled shoot host” – Emily has been a wedding photographer for 7 years and has a degree in theatre directing so you KNOW these shoots will be organized and styled to the nines. She’s lived in CO her whole life and cannot WAIT to show off Crested Butte this July 2026!
Co-host + PhotographerSophia Woodward
She puts the “hype” in “hype girl host”- Sophia, who feels most herself with dirt on her shoes, coffee in hand, and the mountains in front of her, is goofy, deeply empathetic, and the kind of person who will make you feel comfortable within five seconds of meeting her. She cannot WAIT for CB this July with all of you!
— THE MOOD BOARDS —
Western Elopement
Maximalist Anti-Wedding
Lace & Lupines Micro Wedding
Alpenglow Elopement
The Itinerary
*subject to change/be adjusted
Day 1 - July 6thEveryone comes into town!!!Introductions & get settled into the house
Dinner + Styled Shoot #1
Day 2 - July 7thFull day!!!Breakfast buffet in the morning
Styled shoot #2 + Education
Lunch prepared
Styled shoot #3 (micro-wedding)
Fancier dinner with everyone!!!
Day 3 - July 8thFinal day...Quick eats for breakfast before:
Styled shoot #4 (sunrise elopement)
Group field trip into town for breakie (Butte Bagels?)
Final discussion at the house
Pack up and check out by 11:00am
The House
This is your home for 3 days and 2 nights! A stunning VRBO at the base of the Crested Butte resort. Where luxury meets mountain living.
You get your own bed
Plenty of spaces to lounge and edit/ chat throughout the house
From 5 minutes to 45 minutes of all of our shoot locations!
Large kitchen to host our private chef!
More than a mountain getaway — this is your creative reset.
How It Works:-
Click any of the “apply here” buttons on this page to jump to the applications! (It’s a google form). Fill it out, and we’ll get back to you within a few days!
-
We are requiring everyone to pay a $1,000 retainer (non-refundable) to secure your spot in the retreat. You’ll be sent an invoice to your email you provided. (Yes, you can pay using credit card!) We’ll also send you a contract to sign!
-
We highly recommend booking any travel as soon as possible to get the best pricing! We understand some people may be coming from out-of-state, some will be in-state. We are planning on getting group calls and group chats set-up to help everyone plan carpooling…etc!
-
We want everyone to meet and chat before we even get to Crested Butte so we’ll plan to have at least 2 video calls prior to the retreat. One will be more of a “meet + greet”, the other with be a more detailed meeting once our packet is finalized with vendors and model couples…etc!
-
Now all that's left to do is pack your bags and get excited to have an incredible mountain getaway and photographer retreat! Bring all your camera gear (duh!) and pack for all weather! Nights can get chilly in the mountains, even in July!
