Lake Superior: Creative Reclamation Photography Workshop
Your Camera Isn’t Too Old. You’re Not Too Rusty. This is Your Turn to Master Lake Superior’s Jaw-Dropping Awesomeness
Reclaim your creativity in 4 days of photography instruction on the world’s largest freshwater lake. From dusty camera to confident photographer, even if you haven’t shot manual mode in 10 years.
Date: October 4 - 7, 2026 (3 nights, 4 days).
Location: Lake Superior Provincial Park, Wawa, Ontario.
Audience: All skill levels
What’s Included: In-field instruction, hands-on practice, and a guide to the best locations at the best times, meals and accommodation.
Group Size: Maximum of 10 women.
Outcome: You will leave with a curated portfolio of powerful images and the confidence to create your own meaningful art.
Investment: $1095 (for email subscribers a savings of $200), early bird $1195 (a savings of $100), $1295 full price.
This Is Your Moment. Lake Superior Is Waiting.
You used to love photography. Before the kids, the promotions, the endless carousel of everyone else's needs. Your camera has been gathering dust in the hall closet for years, and when you finally pulled it out last weekend, manual mode felt foreign. You wondered if you were too far behind to start again.
Here's a truth we want to tell you: You're not behind. You're ready to pick it up again.
In October 2026, resist the voice that says your creative time isn't essential. Join us on Lake Superior's rugged shoreline for 4 days of a women’s photography workshop that treats your camera like what it really is: your pathway to freedom.
What makes Lake Superior different?
The world's largest freshwater lake doesn't care about your hustle. Superior's stop-you-in-your-tracks landscapes—ancient granite cliffs, moody fog banks, explosive autumn colour—demand you slow down. Your camera’s manual mode forces presence. Awe-inspiring light restores what years of putting yourself last have stolen.
This isn't just a photography workshop. This is creative reclamation.
You’re Done Waiting for Your Turn
This Lake Superior retreat is for women who:
✅ Used to love photography but life took over (kids, career, aging parents—the relentless doing)
✅ Feel rusty with manual mode and worry "am I too far behind?"
✅ Have a camera gathering dust and wonder "is it too old to bother?"
✅ Scroll Instagram at night seeing stunning landscape photos and feel that familiar pang: jealousy mixed with longing
✅ Hike with partners who power through point-A-to-point-B while you want to stop for the light through the pines
✅ Are ready to make creative time non-negotiable (empty nesters, recently retired, newly promoted—your life is opening up)
✅ Want solo photography adventure, no more waiting for someone else to stop the car
✅ Need permission to prioritize themselves—and instructors that gets it
If you've been thinking "someday I'll pick up my camera again," this is your someday.
Lake Superior's October awesomeness won't wait. Neither should you.
🌟 Rated 5 Stars on Google Reviews
From “I Used to Photograph” to “I Am a Photographer” in 4 days
Here’s what changes when you reclaim your creative identity alongside Lake Superior:
Before Spark:
Camera in closet, battery dead, manual mode forgotten
Scrolling other photographers' work feeling "I wish I could shoot like that"
Husband/partner three bends ahead on hikes while you're trying to frame the shot
Guilt about spending money on yourself: "Can I justify this?"
Wondering if you've forgotten everything, if your camera is too outdated, if you'll slow everyone down
After 4 Days at Lake Superior:
Unshakeable confidence in manual mode—any lighting condition, any adventure
Portfolio of jaw-dropping Superior images that prove "I can do this"
Skills for solo photography adventures (no waiting, no compromising, no permission needed)
Community that becomes your backbone (but honours your desire for autonomous practice)
Camera as your resistance tool: dopamine detox, presence practice, creative freedom
This is the shift: From rusty and hesitant to boldly ready for any photography adventure on your terms.
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
Technical Skills + Wellbeing Practice + Solo Independence
This isn’t conventional landscape photography education. It’s creative reclamation.
Lake Superior becomes your classroom for building three essential foundations:
1️⃣ Technical Mastery: Unshakeable Manual Mode Confidence
Exposure triangle demystified (aperture, shutter speed, ISO—no more guessing)
Reading Superior's constantly shifting light (golden hour, blue hour, fog, dramatic skies)
Composition fundamentals for powerful landscape photography
Long exposure techniques for silky water and moody cloudscapes
Focusing strategies for sharp images in any condition
Your camera works. Your skills will too. We rebuild from the foundation—no shame, no rushing.
2️⃣ Photography as Wellbeing: Mandatory Presence Practice
Manual mode = mandatory slowness (your mind clears, your vision sharpens)
Intentional observation over scrolling (dopamine detox in action)
Nature's restorative power: Superior's awe-inspiring landscapes reset your nervous system
Photography as resistance against hustle culture steamrolling women's creative time
This is much-needed time. Essential time outdoors. Creative practice that restores.
3️⃣ Solo Creative Independence: Skills That Last a Lifetime
Location scouting strategies for any destination
Safety considerations for solo photography adventures
Gear essentials for independent travel photography
Confidence to stop the car, take the shot—no permission needed
Building autonomous creative practice (community is your backbone, not your substitute)
Master your camera so you can explore independently—anywhere you want to go.
Professional-Led Expertise for Women Building Independent Photography Practices
Learn from photographers who see you, and get it.
Cobi Sharpe an award-winning professional landscape photographer with a diploma with honours in digital photography and imaging, knows first-hand how important it is to reclaim creative time. In the throws of motherhood, Cobi is just starting to pick her camera up again and start taking time for photography adventures and bringing other women along for the ride. As a photo educator, her goal is for her students to always feel supported to ask questions so there are no barriers to learning how they can connect more deeply with themselves and nature using their camera as a tool.
Ariel Estulin a father, and an award-winning landscape photographer, who travels the world seeking out beauty in those wild and remote places on Earth that still remain untouched by civilization where nature commands ultimate attention. As a photo educator, his goal is for students to come away with not just better photographs, but a better understanding of photography, better compositions, and most importantly, a skill set they now have and can use on future adventures.
Why two instructors matter:
With a maximum of 10 participants and two expert photographers, you get personalized attention at your skill level. No getting lost in a a crowd. No feeling behind. Just honest, empowering instruction that meets you exactly where you are.
The Experience - 4 days on Lake Superior’s Rugged Shoreline
October 4-7, 2026 | Rock Island Lodge, Wawa, Ontario
Your Stay:
Day 1 (October 4): Arrive & Connect
Arrive 4:30 PM for appetizers and informal meet-and-greet
Dinner at 6 PM (relax, you're here, the doing is done)
Evening orientation: goals, gear check, workshop overview
Overnight at Rock Island Lodge or nearby accommodations
Days 2 & 3 (October 5–6): Shoot, Learn, Master
Early morning sunrise shoots on Superior's shoreline (jaw-dropping light you'll never forget)
On-location instruction in manual mode, composition, and creative vision
Flexible meal times (you choose in-house dining or packed lunch for extended shooting)
Afternoon sessions: advanced techniques, long exposure, creative editing basics
Evening image reviews in the lodge's dedicated workshop space (small group feedback, celebrate wins)
Optional sunset/blue hour shoots
Day 4 (October 7): Breakfast & Depart
Final breakfast together
Mid-morning departure (leave as a photographer, not someone who "used to" photograph)
Why October on Lake Superior?
Autumn colour explodes against ancient granite. Moody fog banks roll in unpredictably. Light shifts dramatically hour-by-hour. Superior in October is stop-you-in-your-tracks nature—the kind that forces presence and restores creative souls.
Flexible Options for Every Comfort Level & Budget
Choose the experience that fits your needs - all include meals, instruction & exclusive lodge workshop space.
We've partnered with Rock Island Lodge to offer accommodations ranging from cozy prospector tents to private lodge rooms—plus nearby motel options for those who prefer off-site stays. Every option includes all meals and full access to the lodge's workshop space for image reviews and instruction. You will need to book your accommodations DIRECTLY with Rock Island Lodge - contact them here.
Maximum 10 participants. Exclusive use of lodge space. Women-only.
🏡 ON-SITE AT ROCK ISLAND LODGE (5 rooms available)
Lodge Room - Single Occupancy (1 Queen Bed) BOOK DIRECTLY WITH ROCK ISLAND LODGE
$1,913 CAD per person (doesn’t include the cost of the workshop)
Private room with queen bed, full bedding, exclusive lodge access
Perfect for: Solo travelers wanting private space
Lodge Room - Double Occupancy (Shared Room) BOOK DIRECTLY WITH ROCK ISLAND LODGE
$1,553 CAD per person (doesn’t include the cost of the workshop)
Share a room with a friend or partner (rooms have either 1 queen or 2 queen beds), full bedding
Perfect for: Couples or friends traveling together
Ideally book together to ease coordination
⛺ BEACH ACCOMMODATIONS (On-Site)
Geodesic Glamdome - Single Occupancy
$1,747 CAD per person
Unique glamping experience with 1 queen bed, full bedding
Perfect for: Adventurous solo travelers
Geodesic Glamdome - Double Occupancy
$1,295 CAD per person
Glamdome with 1 queen bed + fold-out couch, full bedding
Perfect for: Friends or couples who love glamping
Prospector Tent - Single (Queen Bed)
$1,624 CAD per person
Canvas prospector tent with queen bed, full bedding
Perfect for: Solo travelers embracing the wilderness
Prospector Tent - Double (2 Twin Beds)
$1,200 CAD per person
Canvas prospector tent with 2 twin beds, full bedding
Perfect for: Friends sharing adventure
If Rock Island Lodge is sold-out of their accommodations for us, you can book a room only 5 minutes down the road but meet us daily at the lodge for meals and instruction.
🚗 OFF-SITE ACCOMMODATIONS (5-Minute Drive)
Meals & Workshop Space Only
$1,161 CAD per person
Includes all meals at Rock Island Lodge + exclusive use of lodge workshop space for instruction and image reviews. Book your own nearby accommodation (options below).
Nearby Motel Options:
Mystic Isle Motel (premium option): mysticisle.com | Wawa's nicest and largest rooms, Lake Superior views, king/queen bed options
Highfalls Motel & Cabins (mid-range): highfallsmotelandcabins.com
White Fang Motel (budget-friendly): whitefangmotel.com
Perfect for: Those preferring traditional motel accommodations or booking with non-participating partners
✅ WHAT'S INCLUDED IN EVERY OPTION:
4 days of hands-on photography instruction (Days 2 & 3)
Professional-led expertise from Cobi Sharpe & Ariel Estulin
All meals (Day 1 dinner through Day 4 breakfast)
Exclusive use of Rock Island Lodge workshop space for image reviews
Small group instruction (maximum 10 participants)
On-location shoots at Superior's most stunning landscapes
Post-workshop support and community access
Women-only psychological safety and creative reclamation focus
❌ NOT INCLUDED:
Transportation to/from Wawa, Ontario
Personal gear (camera, lenses, tripod—full gear list provided upon registration)
Alcohol (available for purchase)
Off-site accommodation costs (if choosing "Meals & Workshop Space Only" option)
The Complete Value of Your Lake Superior Investment
This isn’t just 4 days. It’s a lifetime of creative independence.
When you register for the Lake Superior Photography Retreat, here's everything you receive:
📸 Technical Mastery with TWO Expert Instructors ($1,500+ value)
4 days of hands-on manual mode instruction with two professional photographers (Cobi Sharpe & Ariel Estulin)
Double the expertise, double the feedback—while one instructor demonstrates on location, the other provides personalized coaching
Personalized feedback in small group setting (max 10 participants = real attention, not getting lost in a crowd)
Exposure triangle mastery for any lighting condition
Long exposure techniques for silky water and dramatic skies
Composition training that transforms how you see
On-location coaching at Superior's most jaw-dropping landscapes
Image review sessions with professional critique and celebration from two perspectives
Why two instructors matter: You get individualized attention at your exact skill level. One instructor can work with those mastering exposure basics while the other coaches advanced composition. You're never waiting, never lost, never wondering if you're doing it right.
🏔️ Premium Location Access ($400+ value)
Exclusive guided access to Lake Superior's best photography locations
Scouting expertise you'd spend years learning on your own
October timing for autumn colour + dramatic light
Pre-scouted sunrise/sunset locations (no guessing, no wasted time)
Permission-based access to Rock Island Lodge property and shoreline
🍽️ All Meals Included ($300+ value)
Day 1 dinner (arrive relaxed, not scrambling for restaurants)
Days 2 & 3 full meals (breakfast, lunch options, dinner)
Day 4 breakfast before departure
Dietary restrictions accommodated
More creative time, zero meal planning stress
🏡 Exclusive Workshop Space ($200+ value)
Private use of Rock Island Lodge for image reviews and instruction
No public distractions, no interruptions
Dedicated workspace for laptop editing sessions
Comfortable gathering space for evening critiques and connection
Women-only psychological safety built in
👭 Community That Becomes Your Backbone (Priceless)
Lifelong connections with women who get it
Accountability partners for your next solo photography adventure
Women who understand that creative time is non-negotiable, not indulgent
Your people—finally
🎒 Solo Adventure Preparation ($300+ value)
Location scouting strategies for independent travel
Safety considerations for solo photography adventures
Gear essentials and packing guidance
Confidence to stop the car, take the shot—anywhere you go
Skills that last a lifetime, not just 4 days
📚 Post-Retreat Support ($150+ value)
Continued access to instructors for questions
Online community for sharing work and encouragement
Alumni priority booking for future Spark retreats
💰 TOTAL VALUE: $2,850+
💳 YOUR INVESTMENT:
$1,161–$1,913 CAD depending on accommodation choice
(That's $800 for expert instruction from TWO professional photographers + photography mastery that builds solo creative independence + $361–$1,113 for accommodations, meals, and exclusive workshop space)
✨ But Here's What You Can't Put a Price On:
The moment you realize you're not rusty—you're ready.
The morning you nail the exposure on Superior's golden hour light and think: I did that.
The confidence to book your first solo photography adventure without doubt, without waiting, without permission.
The creative identity you reclaimed—not someday, but now.
That's what you're really investing in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my camera too old?
No. If your camera has manual mode (and most DSLRs and mirrorless cameras from the past 20 years do), it works beautifully. We've had participants shoot stunning work with 15-year-old Canon Rebels and Nikon D70s. Your camera isn't the limitation—your confidence is. We rebuild that foundation together.
What if I'm really rusty? I haven't shot manual mode in 10+ years.
Perfect. You're exactly who this retreat is designed for. We start with exposure triangle fundamentals and rebuild your skills step-by-step. No shame. No rushing. Just patient, empowering instruction that meets you where you are. By Day 3, you'll be shooting confidently in any lighting condition.
Will I slow everyone down?
Absolutely not. With only 10 participants maximum and two instructors, we work at the pace that serves the group. This isn't a race. Superior's landscapes aren't going anywhere. We honor the creative process—which means stopping for the light, experimenting with composition, and taking the time to get the shot right.
What skill level is this workshop designed for?
Beginner to intermediate photographers who want to master manual mode and build confidence for solo photography adventures. If you can turn your camera on and know where the shutter button is, you're ready. We'll teach you the rest.
Can I justify spending this on myself?
Let's reframe: This isn't an expense. It's an investment in reclaiming the creative identity you set aside for everyone else. You've spent decades prioritizing others. This is your turn. Four days that build skills for a lifetime of solo photography adventures—and restore the part of you that's been waiting patiently for permission. You don't need permission. You need this.
What if I've forgotten everything about photography?
We assume you're starting fresh. Exposure triangle, composition rules, focusing techniques—we cover it all from the foundation up. If you remember some concepts, great. If not, we've got you. No prior knowledge assumed.
What's the weather like in October? What should I pack?
October on Lake Superior is dramatic and unpredictable—expect temperatures ranging from 0°C to 15°C (32°F to 59°F), possible rain, fog, and brilliant sunshine all in one day. Layering is essential. Full packing list (clothing + gear) provided upon registration.
I'm traveling solo. Will I feel awkward?
Most participants travel solo. This is a women-only space designed for connection and psychological safety. You'll find your people—women who understand that creative time is essential, not indulgent. Community becomes your backbone, but we honor your desire for autonomous practice.
What's your cancellation/payment policy?
[Insert Spark's standard payment and cancellation policy here—matching existing retreat terms]
How do I book accommodations?
Visit our registration page, select your preferred accommodation option, and complete the workshop registration. For on-site Rock Island Lodge or beach accommodations, contact Rock Island Lodge directly to secure your room/tent after registering. For off-site motels, book directly with the motel and select "Meals & Workshop Space Only" during registration.
I have dietary restrictions. Can you accommodate?
Yes. Rock Island Lodge's cook will work with your dietary needs. Please note restrictions during registration.
Do I need a tripod?
Highly recommended for long exposure work and low-light shooting.
Can my partner/friend come if they don't photograph?
This retreat is designed as a women-only photography learning experience. Non-participating partners are welcome to book their own nearby accommodation and explore Wawa independently, but cannot attend workshop sessions or meals at the lodge.
What if I need to share a room but I'm traveling solo?
Contact Rock Island Lodge. They'll do their best to connect solo travellers interested in sharing accommodations to reduce costs.
This Is The Creative Reclamation You’ve Been Waiting For
The world says hustle. We say resist.
You've done everything for everyone else. You've put your creative dreams on hold for promotions, kids' soccer tournaments, aging parents, your partner's point-A-to-point-B hiking pace. Your camera has been gathering dust while you scrolled other photographers' stunning work at night, feeling that pang.
Here's what we know: You're not too rusty. Your camera isn't too old. You haven't missed your window.
This is your window.
Lake Superior's October light—moody, dramatic, jaw-dropping—doesn't care about your hustle. Superior's ancient granite cliffs and explosive autumn colour demand you slow down. Manual mode forces presence. Nature restores what years of steamrolled creative time have stolen.
In 4 days, you'll go from "I used to photograph" to "I am a photographer"—confidently, on your terms.
You'll master manual mode so completely that solo photography adventures become your reality, not your someday dream. You'll find women who become your backbone (because creative reclamation is easier when you're not alone). You'll reclaim your camera as what it really is: your pathway to freedom.
This isn't just a workshop. It's resistance.
Resist the voice that says your creative time isn't essential.
Resist waiting for a turn that never comes.
Resist putting yourself last.
Lake Superior is waiting. Your turn is now.