Rooted & Captured: A Women’s Photography and Nature Therapy Retreat in Frontenac, Ontario.
Come Home to Your Senses. Rediscover the Photographer You Remember Being.
October 16 - 18, 2026
Queen’s University Elbow Lake Environmental Education Centre, South Frontenac, Ontario
Only 10 spots available.
What Is Rooted & Captured?
Rooted & Captured is a 3-day, all-inclusive women’s photography and nature therapy retreat near Kingston, Ontario, for women who are looking for inspiration, and new ways to see and capture images as a photographer. You’ll reconnect with your senses through guided forest and water immersion (canoeing, and forest wanders), then work through photography activities with hands-on mentorship.
This is a full weekend creative reclamation retreat that merges the grounding power of nature therapy with the artistic discipline of mindful composition, designed to cure creative malnourishment by reconnecting you with the natural world, your senses, and the photographer who never left.
We guide you through a transformative weekend that uses the four elements—earth, water, fire, air—as your creative compass, blending:
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✺ Nature Therapy & Sensory Reconnection
(Claire Beach, Certified Nature Therapy Guide)
Slow your pace. Sharpen your senses. Achieve a state of relaxed awareness where observation becomes effortless and intuitive.
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✺ Mindful Photography & Elements of Design
(Cobi Sharpe, Professional Photographer)
Train your eye to translate feelings into images. Move beyond technical mechanics and make your camera an extension of presence. -
✺ Land & Water Immersion
(Guided forest therapy, sunrise paddle, canoeing)
Experience "the story of the forest" on land and the reflective stillness of water—without the distraction of your device at first, forcing you to feel before you capture. -
✺ Primitive Sauna Building & Cold Plunge
(Saturday evening, optional)
Push gently beyond your comfort zone. Engage your creative side beyond photography. Build something together with fire, earth, and intention. -
✺ Fire-Cooked Feast & Evening Storytelling
Saturday night's chef-prepared outdoor fire feast becomes the anchor for connection, reflection, and community.
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✺ Reflective Image Storytelling
(Sunday morning capstone)
Create a visual story using what you've learned—no rules, just your unique creative voice applied.
Creative Reclamation Through the Elements
The four elements, earth, water, fire, and air, structure every hour of this retreat. Each one mirrors a different part of reconnecting with yourself, and each photography lesson that follows translates what you felt into what you capture.
We believe the foundation of great photography is connection: to the natural world, to your senses, to yourself. You can’t translate feelings into images if you’re disconnected from what you’re feeling.
Why Do We Use the Four Elements as a Creative Compass?
🌍 EARTH — Saturday morning land immersion: "the story of the forest" invitation, grounding meditation, mindful observation without your camera first (forcing you to experience, not offload onto your device)
🔥 FIRE — Saturday evening fire-cooked feast + primitive sauna building (optional cold plunge): engage creativity beyond photography, push comfort zones gently, build something together
💧 WATER — Saturday afternoon + Sunday sunrise paddle: reflective stillness, sensory connection on the water, canoeing as presence practice
🌬️ AIR — The freshest of outdoor air all weekend, reflective journaling, the spaciousness to let ideas settle and creative voice emerge
Each element mirrors back a different aspect of reconnection, and each photography workshop that follows translates what you felt into what you capture.
You'll experience first. Then learn to see. Then create.
No pixel-peeping. No histogram obsession. No "you should upgrade your camera" BS.
Just honest, grounded guidance from two women who see the photographer you used to be, and know she never left.
Who Is Rooted & Captured For?
Rooted & Captured is built for women who used to love photography (and still do) and stopped, or are lacking inspiration. This weekend is for you if:
✅ Your images feel flat, lifeless, and mostly technical. You’re hoping to build more skills on creativity and seeing the shot.
✅ Your camera's been gathering dust for years (maybe 8, maybe 10—battery dead, settings foreign)
✅ You scroll Instagram at night and feel that pang: jealousy mixed with longing
✅ You're an empty-nester, recently retired, or finally have time opening up—and you're thinking: What now? Who am I without all the doing?
✅ You loved photography before life took over (film rolls, solo trail days, pure creative joy)
✅ Your spouse is wonderful but point-A-to-point-B on hikes—you need your people who understand stopping the car for the shot is non-negotiable
✅ You're tired of phone photography stealing your creativity and you're ready to dust off your real camera
✅ You crave creative time outdoors but need skills, confidence, and a judgment-free space to rebuild
You're not rusty. You're ready.
What Does a Weekend at Rooted & Captured Look Like?
The retreat runs Friday 3 PM to Sunday 12 PM and moves through the four elements, blending guided nature therapy with hands-on photography mentorship. No day looks the same, and no cameras come out until you’ve felt something worth photographing first.
Friday: Arrival & Grounding (3 PM – Evening)
3:00 PM — Arrive at Queen's University Biological Station cabins, settle in, welcoming chats
4:00 PM — Welcoming Circle & Group Orientation
Meet your guides. Begin building trust.
5:00 PM — Grounding Meditation & Sensory Sit Spot
Choose a spot along the water. Settle in. Notice what you're feeling. Make your first photograph of the weekend: What are you experiencing right now?
Begin Primitive Sauna Building
7:00 PM — Catered Dinner (Main House)
Evening — Elements of Design Presentation (Cobi)
Introduction to translating senses into images. Share your "sit spot moment" photo. Gentle, low-pressure creative exchange.
Saturday: Land, Water, Fire (Early Morning – Evening)
6:45 AM — Pre-Dawn Pond Moment (Pre-breakfast sensory hike to pond for stillness)
8:00 AM — Breakfast (Main House)
10:00 AM — EARTH: Claire's Land-Based Nature Connection (10:00–11:30 AM)
Forest bathing invitation. Guided forest therapy to help you settle into yourself. No cameras yet—just presence.
11:30 AM — EARTH: Cobi's Land Photography Workshop (11:30 AM–1:00 PM)
Now translate what you felt. Elements of design applied: lines, texture, negative space. Hands-on practice in the forest.
1:00 PM — Lunch (Main House)
2:00 PM — WATER: Claire's Water-Based Nature Connection (2:00–3:00 PM)
Blue mindfulness. Canoeing as sensory practice. Reflective observation on the water without cameras first.
3:00 PM — WATER: Cobi's Water Photography Workshop (3:00–4:00 PM)
Photograph what you experienced. Apply elements of design to water, reflections, light.
4:00 PM — Chill Time / Social Time
Nature connection stories. Rest. Integration.
6:00 PM — FIRE: Chef-Prepared Outdoor Fire-Cooked Feast
Evening — FIRE: Primitive Sauna & Cold Plunge
Push comfort zones gently. Engage creative courage. Build something together.
Night Photography (Optional stargazing/astrophotography practice)
Sunday: Integration & Capstone (Early Morning – 12 PM Departure)
6:45 AM — AIR: Sunrise Paddle (reflective water experience at first light)
8:00 AM — Breakfast (Main House)
9:00 AM — Claire: Reflective Storytelling & Journaling (9:00–10:30 AM) Integrate your weekend through words and reflection. Cobi: Photography Reflection & Image Story Capstone - Go create using what you've learned. No rules. Build your visual story.
10:30 AM — Wrap-Up Circle, Leftovers & Goodbye (Main House)
Final reflections. Takeaways for integrating mindful composition into your ongoing practice.
What Will I Learn at This Photography Retreat?
You’ll leave with three layers of change: skills you can use immediately, a shift in how you see yourself as a photographer, and a creative practice built to last.
Functional Skills
✅ Elements of design skills (lines, texture, negative space instinctively recognized)
✅ Sensory observation skills (see and feel what others miss, translate into compelling images)
✅ Land & water photography techniques (compositional strategies for forests, waterways, reflections)
Emotional & Creative Transformation
✅ Permission to prioritize creative time (zero guilt, non-negotiable self-investment)
✅ Reconnection with the photographer you remember being ("I am a photographer" identity reclaimed)
✅ Presence practice through your camera (photography as dopamine detox, intentional observation, nervous system reset)
✅ Community as inspiration (like-minded women who get it)
Long-Term Freedom
✅ Creative identity as life priority (not "someday"—now, exactly as you are)
✅ Pathway to continued growth (skills that compound with every adventure)
✅ Your unique creative voice (authentically, truthfully yours—not imitation)
What People Are Saying About Our Last Creative Retreat
“Creating a comfortable accepting environment, Cobi expertly wove the dissemination of knowledge with genuine personal connection. Our three day Algonquin Retreat provided me with an appreciation for the nuances in composing a photo while encouraging me to play with camera settings. Cobi's open arms approach to the photography workshop was welcomed as I ventured to improve and expand on my skill as a recreational photographer. I highly recommend Spark Photography.”
— Stacey“I have taken a few day trips with SPARK and they were wonderful, however the multi day adventure experience was much more than expected.
To be able to immerse yourself in photography with an amazing mentor, like minded women, in a stunning location has confirmed for me that I will be doing this again as much as possible.
Cobi has the ability to inspire, encourage, and teach with patience, knowledge, and an evident passion to watch you learn and grow in this field.
The variety of activities and pace was relaxed, educational and fun! She has a great team around her that ensures you need worry about nothing, allowing you to concentrate on photography. (Thanks Jenn!)
It was an emotional goodbye to amazing women, but new friendships have developed and I’m certain we will meet again at another workshop. Don’t hesitate, you can’t go wrong joining in this experience!
— Lisa“I just attended Cobi's Northern Edge Algonquin Creative Rebellion Retreat. Just wow!!!! I love Cobi's approach to photography. Seeing Nature through our own unique perspective versus photographing scenes based on the status quo. She helped me understand that what we capture through our lens reflects how we see our world. We are unique and how we see our world reflects all of the experiences that make us uniquely who we are as women. Cobi really lives that philosophy. Cobi's humor, authenticity, depth of knowledge on all things photography made my time with her an experience I will remember forever. We laughed often, we geeked out on photos that moved us deeply, we talked cameras and photography techniques, we walked through the forest and stopped to admire its beauty. I am grateful that Cobi is a woman I can continue to learn photography from. I look forward to attending her upcoming workshops and retreats.”
— KarenWhat Are the Cabin Accommodations Like?
Cabins are shared between 2 to 3 women, each with a double bed and a single bed bunked over a double, at Queen’s University Biological Station on Elbow Lake.
Overnight guests bring their own linens, sleeping bag, pillow, towel, and personal toiletries.
Check out the full facility here!
How Much Does Rooted & Captured Cost, and What’s Included?
Your All-Inclusive Weekend Retreat
$1,325 CAD
Early bird $1,225 until April 30, 2026
✓ 2 nights’ cabin accommodation (electricity, heat, double bed + bunk bed per room. Shared cabins 2-3 women per cabin)
✓ All meals catered (including a chef-prepared fire-cooked feast Saturday night)
✓ Dual-expert guidance and mentorship from a Certified Nature Therapy Guide + a Professional Photographer
✓ Land + water immersion experience (hike + canoe)
✓ Primitive sauna build + cold plunge
✓ Hands-on photography workshops + reflective journaling
Due to the intimate, guided nature of this retreat, spaces are strictly limited to 10 participants.
A non-refundable deposit is required to secure your spot, but your registration is fully transferable to another person if your plans change. Please review our full cancellation policy.
“You will learn - there is space for everyone no matter your skill level. Cobi is very inclusive and will tailor your learning to meet your needs.” - Lynn
Not Included:
Personal gear and clothing
Gratuities
Gear rental
Transportation to and from the education centre
Who Teaches the Rooted & Captured Retreat?
Rooted & Captured is co-taught by Claire Beach, a Certified Nature Therapy Guide, and Cobi Sharpe, a professional photographer who has taught 100+ women the foundations of photography.
Claire Beach | The Wild Edge
Certified Nature Therapy GuideClaire specializes in sensory reconnection and forest therapy, guiding women to slow their pace, sharpen their senses, and achieve relaxed awareness. Her approach helps participants feel an "estranged relationship with nature" dissolve as they come home through their senses. Claire brings years of experience facilitating transformational nature immersion, somatic and reflective practices.
Cobi Sharpe | Spark Adventure Photography Workshops
Professional Photographer & FounderCobi is a natural teacher—informative, engaged, and fiercely committed to helping rusty photographers dust off their cameras without judgment. Having taught 100+ women the foundations of photography and a philosophy rooted in mindfulness photography as presence practice, Cobi demystifies manual mode and trains your eye to recognize elements of design instinctively. She believes your camera is fine if it has manual mode.
Exclusive Vistek Savings For Our Community
Every woman who attends a Spark Adventure Photography workshop receives exclusive discounts at Vistek camera stores.
Your workshop receipt unlocks 15% off rentals, 15% off in-house printing, 10% off sensor cleanings, VIP pricing, and a 10% trade-in bonus to support your creative reclamation.
✺ Frequently Asked Questions About Rooted & Captured✺
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No. This retreat is designed for rusty photographers, women who loved photography years ago but haven't touched their cameras in 8–10 years (battery dead, settings foreign). If your camera has manual mode, you're ready. Cobi has taught women shooting with cameras a decade or two old. You won't slow anyone down. We rebuild skills from the foundation with hands-on practice and patient, judgment-free guidance.
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No paddling experience necessary. Cobi Sharpe, an advanced paddler, and who has done canoeing and photography workshops in Algonquin Park, will provide all instruction and logistics. The water experience is designed to be gentle, grounding, and accessible, focused on presence and observation, not athletic performance. All equipment is provided, and the pace is relaxed. If you have mobility considerations or water-related concerns, please contact us before booking so we can ensure you're supported.
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Rooted & Captured is a full weekend immersive experience (not a single-day workshop). It uniquely blends Nature Therapy + Photography using the four elements as your creative compass. You'll experience sensory reconnection first (land/water immersion without cameras initially), then translate those feelings into images. This retreat also includes overnight cabin accommodation, all meals, primitive sauna building, fire-cooked feast, sunrise paddle, and reflective journaling—creating a holistic creative reclamation experience, not just photography skill-building.
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Your camera is fine. If it has manual mode (the ability to adjust ISO, shutter speed, and aperture), you're ready. What DOESN'T matter: megapixels beyond 12–16, the latest autofocus system, brand-new mirrorless tech. No pixel-peeping. No histogram obsession. No "you should upgrade" BS. Bring the camera you have.
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Camera Gear:
DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual mode
Lens(es) you have (kit lens is fine)
Extra batteries (fully charged)
Memory cards
Tripod (optional but recommended for water photography)
Clothing & Personal Items:
Layered outdoor clothing (forest/water temps fluctuate)
Waterproof jacket
Comfortable hiking boots or trail shoes
Water shoes or sandals (for canoeing/cold plunge)
Swimsuit (for optional sauna/cold plunge)
Personal toiletries
Notebook/journal + pen
Water bottle
Headlamp or flashlight (for evening/early morning)
Any medications or personal items
Container(s) for delicious leftovers!
Linens/sleeping bag, pillow, towel and personal toiletries
What's Provided:
All meals
Canoeing equipment
Primitive sauna materials
Please notify us of any food allergies when you register.
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Ontario's fall weather is unpredictable, and that's part of the magic. We retreat rain or shine (some of the most stunning photography happens in moody, overcast conditions). If severe weather impacts safety (e.g., lightning, unsafe water conditions), we have indoor alternative programming. Please review our full cancellation policy. We recommend dressing in layers and bringing rain gear—October weather in Ontario can be unpredictable, and being prepared ensures you stay comfortable throughout the day.
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Let's reframe: This isn't an expense. It's an investment in reclaiming your creative identity.
You've spent years putting everyone else first. The empty nest, the retirement, the newfound time. These aren't accidents. They're invitations.
Creative time isn't selfish. It's non-negotiable.
This weekend gives you:
Skills that last a lifetime (compounding with every adventure)
Permission to prioritize yourself (modelled by other women doing the same)
A community of like-minded women. You found us!
The confidence to stop waiting for "someday" and start living as the photographer you remember being
Your turn doesn't require anyone else's schedule. This is yours. On your terms. No justification needed.
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You will not be left behind. Our small, women-only groups (max 8 participants) are designed to go at your pace. We prioritize hands-on practice and presence over rushing to the next spot. Cobi checks in often with participants and ensures everyone feels supported and learning at their own pace. This isn't a hustle-culture photography tour, it's a grounded, nurturing retreat where slowing down is the point.
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Cabins are shared (2–3 women per cabin) for comfortable occupancy. Each cabin has:
2 bedrooms (one with a double bed; one with a single bed bunked over a double bed)
Sitting area
Small fridge, countertop, cupboards
Electricity for light and heat
Maximum occupancy is 6 per cabin, but we maintain recommended 2–3 people per cabin for comfort and rest.
