Algonquin Park: A Creative Rebellion Retreat
Women’s Photography Workshop | South River, Ontario | May 15-18, 2026 (3 nights, 4 days) | Intermediate - Advanced (semi-manual & manual settings) | Landscapes, Wildflowers, Night Sky, Wildlife (moose), and Nature Photography.
This Isn’t Another Workshop. This is Creative Rebellion.
You're a woman who craves more than a checklist. You're ready to start building a portfolio, not just taking pictures.
This isn't just a workshop about button-pushing. It's an immersion for the photographer ready to reconnect with her creative vision. We'll be chasing sunrises, paddling for moose, and embracing the unexpected—from a polar dip to a moonlit paddle—to a forest wood-fired pizza party.
Date: May 15 - 18, 2026 (3 nights, 4 days) just before the bugs come out.
Location: Northern Edge Algonquin, South River, Ontario.
Audience: Intermediate to advanced women photographers (perfect if you’re using semi-manual and full manual modes!). We could consider beginners (email us to confirm).
All-Inclusive: Includes all meals, accommodation, and programming.
Group Size: Maximum of 10 women/non-binary/NGC folks.
Outcome: You will walk away with more than just great photos. You’ll leave with a portfolio you're not just proud of, but a little obsessed with. This retreat is about a permanent shift in how you see the world. By paddling at dawn for moose and staying up late to capture the stars, you'll find your own creative rhythm. The result? You'll stop taking accidental snapshots and start building a body of work that is uniquely, truthfully, and authentically yours.
Investment: All-inclusive pricing from $1684 + HST/person. Private and shared accommodation options available.
Your Photography Journey
You're a skilled photographer. You know your camera, you’ve mastered the settings, and you understand the rules. But you’re still not quite getting the images you want. You're drawn to the wildness of Algonquin—the ancient cedars, the forest floor blooming with wildflowers, the chance to finally see a moose—but your photos just don't capture the truth of what you’re feeling.
Now, imagine this: You are among a small group of women, all focused on the same thing: making art and learning to build your craft. We're in the field, side-by-side, sharing a story and finding a new way to see the landscape through a creative lens. You'll stop just capturing a scene and start crafting a narrative.
What You’ll Experience
This is not a traditional workshop with classroom lectures. This is an adventure for those who are ready to go deeper. Over four days, you will:
Move from Technical to Vision. You'll use the camera you already know to find your unique creative voice and create images with meaningful focus and story.
Move from Solo to Community. You’ll be surrounded by a small group of like-minded women who get it. We’ll share ideas, celebrate each other's vision, and build connections in the field.
Move from Accidental to Intentional. We’ll guide you to the best locations at the best times, so you can focus on composition and technique, and leave with a body of work you're truly proud of.
🌟 Rated 5 Stars on Google Reviews
Your Creative Rebellion Itinerary Highlights
This is your roadmap, but we move with the light and the weather. The plan is a guide, not a prison.
Sunrise Photography: We'll embark on a sunrise canoe excursion to capture the soft and then exciting morning light to get stunning shots.
Moose & Wildlife Photography: We’ll set off again in the canoes to known moose habitat. We’ll be paddling quietly to spot wildlife, and practice a safe, ethical distance from any animals we see.
Mindful Connection: We’ll explore the art of mindfulness and how it can help you see and feel more deeply, connecting with the subjects you’re photographing.
Night Sky Photography: With Northern Edge's deep forest location, we'll have minimal light pollution, making for a perfect classroom to capture the stunning Algonquin night sky.
Creative Critiques & Mentoring: We'll hold workshopping sessions on composition techniques and provide supportive constructive feedback on your images.
Plant Identification & Interpretation: Join us for a guided hike with a nature interpreter who will help us identify spring wildflowers and other plants, adding a layer of knowledge to our photography.
Forest Pizza Party: A fun and celebratory communal lunch with a wood-fired pizza oven.
Community & Connection: We’ll gather each day around a campfire and/or in a drumming circle to share stories and reflect on our journey.
Plenty of Chill Time: We've left ample room for self-exploration and introspection so you can relax, recharge, and get reinspired.
Why Women Love Our Workshops
Here’s what past participants had to say about finding their confidence and connecting with community:
"Cobi is wonderful! Her course was well thought out and she is a great, patient teacher. She pivoted when the weather wasn't ideal and brought us to unexpected cool places to practice the skills she taught earlier in the day." — Ashley
"What an amazing workshop: connecting with nature and my camera. I now have a much better understanding of how to take the pictures I want - the guess work and hoping are gone. Thanks Cobi!" — Heather
"I'm excited to be more in control of the picture I envision in my head." — Sue
“Would I attend another workshop with Cobi? In a heartbeat.”
Meet Your Instructor: Cobi Sharpe
Hellooo, I’m Cobi! I believe the biggest barrier to creating great art isn’t a lack of talent, it’s a lack of a clear path.
My photography diploma taught me the rules, but my passion lies in breaking them. I created Spark Adventure Photography Workshops to help women like you get out of your own way and create art and images that truly feels honest and true to you.
I’m here to strip away the confusion, build your confidence, and help you find your unique artistic voice.
Pricing & Your Investment
This is an all-inclusive retreat. Your investment covers all meals, accommodation, and programming. Here’s the true value you receive for your investment:
Total Value: Over $5,000 CAD
What You Get: Value
A Personal Creative Roadmap ($2,500 value): Four days of in-field, hands-on guidance from an expert. We’ll guide you to the right spots at the right time, so you can focus on finding your vision—not on the logistics.
Moose Photography Canoe Adventure ($350 value): An exclusive guided canoe excursion to a known moose habitat, where you'll capture wildlife in the most likely chance.
All-Inclusive Accommodation & Organic Meals ($900 value): Three nights in comfortable accommodations and all your meals, prepared with local and organic ingredients. All you have to do is show up.
Creative Critiques & Mentoring ($750 value): Focused, time to review images, break creative ruts, and build a portfolio you are truly proud of.
Algonquin Night Sky Workshop ($250 value): A dedicated, hands-on session to master the complex art of night sky photography in a dark-sky location with minimal light pollution.
Nature Interpretation & Plant ID ($150 value): A guided walk with an expert to help you see the forest not just as a landscape, but as a collection of stories waiting to be told.
Creative Immersion & Community (Priceless): The chance to disconnect from your phone, connect with a small group of like-minded women, and rediscover your creative voice in an ego-free space.
Pricing
Minimum price is $1684 + HST/person. Private and shared room accommodations available on a first-come, first-served basis. You will book directly with Northern Edge Algonquin (NEA) through this link. You can view the cancellation policy through the booking form on NEA’s website.
Payment Plan: A 50% deposit is required to secure your spot. The remaining balance will be due two weeks prior to the retreat. Or flexible payments plans available.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve been left behind on tours before. Will I be able to keep up? Our small, women-only groups are designed to go at your pace. We prioritize hands-on practice over rushing to the next spot. You will not be left behind.
What kind of gear do I need? This retreat is designed for intermediate and advanced photographers who are already comfortable with their camera’s manual settings. Please bring a camera (DSLR or mirrorless) with manual controls, a lens, and a tripod for night photography.
Is this retreat all-inclusive? Yes. Your investment covers your accommodation, all meals, and all workshop programming. The only thing you need to worry about is getting yourself to the retreat.
What if the weather turns? This is Canada. The weather always turns. We teach you how to adapt your settings and your mindset for changing light and conditions, so you can capture powerful images no matter what the sky is doing.