This jam-packed, all-inclusive retreat is designed to elevate your photography, creativity, and business while immersing you in an unforgettable experience. Here’s what’s included when you join us in Byron Bay Australia:

➝ Three full days of education, inspiration & hands-on learning – Led by internationally renowned photographers and educators, including Jai Long, Kelly Balch, Graeme Passmore, LeeLou, Vanessa Hall, and your host, Carissa from Elk & Fir.

➝ Exclusive, high-impact styled shoots – Curated sessions designed to build your portfolio with destination wedding, elopement, and editorial-style photography.

➝ LGBTQ+ inclusive education – Learn how to authentically capture and market diverse love stories in a way that aligns with your values.

➝ Live workshops & industry talks – Covering everything from branding, marketing, and pricing to creative direction, confidence-building, website audits and storytelling mastery, with insights from Dancing With Her.

➝ Headshots by our in-house photographers – Fresh, professional portraits to elevate your brand and online presence - bring your true self!.

➝ Majority of meals, snacks & drinks included – A fully catered experience with delicious, nourishing food to keep you fuelled throughout the retreat.

➝ Beautiful accommodation – Each attendee will have their own bed but may share a room. Queen beds available for couples upon request.

➝ Unforgettable experiences – Fireside chats, deep conversations, and effortless, meaningful connections with like-minded creatives. Bring ya beanie !

➝ Farewell alfresco dinner & celebration – A beautifully styled outdoor dinner where you’ll capture final content, dine under the stars, and relive the last three days with new friends.

➝ Access to an exclusive vendor database & social content – Capture behind-the-scenes moments, connect with vendors, and use professionally curated imagery and footage to promote your business.

➝ Surprises & special touches – Including epic swag bags, exclusive gifts, and thoughtful details to make your experience truly unforgettable.

This retreat is for the wild at heart, the storytellers, and the creatives ready to elevate their craft. Rready for three days of high-energy, soul-filling, career-changing magic?

THIS CONTENT CREATION RETREAT IS THE RIGHT FIT FOR YOU IF:

This jam-packed, high-energy retreat in Byron Bay is designed for the wild at heart—photographers ready to push creative boundaries, build meaningful connections, and walk away with an elevated portfolio and a renewed sense of purpose.

If you’re looking to book more couples, elopements, and weddings—whether locally or as a destination wedding photographer—this retreat is for you. It's designed for those craving dream clients who truly vibe with their style, allowing you to attract couples who align with your creative vision. If storytelling is at the core of your work and you focus on capturing raw emotion, personality, and authenticity, you’ll thrive in this space.

Beyond photography, this retreat is about building confidence and embracing your worth—because success isn’t measured by likes or followers. It’s for those who are committed to inclusivity and diversity, celebrating love in all its forms and creating a welcoming space for every couple. You’ll be surrounded by a community that values kindness, empowerment, and creative freedom, where trends don’t dictate your work—you do.

This isn’t just another workshop—it’s a transformative experience for photographers who dare to create without limits, tell stories that matter, and embrace their artistic fire. Are you in?

Unfortunately, we can’t cover everything (as much as we’d love to!). Here’s what you’ll need to sort out yourself:

➝ Travel to and from Byron Bay (including flights) – We’d love to teleport you here, but until that technology exists, you’ll need to book your own transport.

➝ Car hire & transport between shoot locations – We highly recommend carpooling between locations (it’s way more fun and eco-friendly anyway). We’re happy to assist in connecting you with fellow attendees so you can ride together!

➝ Photography gear & laptop – BYO camera, lenses, laptop, and any other gear you need to make magic happen.

➝ Some snacks & breakfast on the first day – We’ve got most of your meals covered, but come prepared with a snack or two to keep you fuelled until we officially kick off!

➝ Travel insurance – We highly recommend it! Because while we promise an epic adventure, we can’t promise things like lost luggage, flight delays, or unexpected mishaps.

➝ Perfect weather – We’ll manifest the dreamy Byron Bay sunshine, but Mother Nature does what she wants. Rain or shine, the retreat goes on! (And let’s be honest, moody skies can make for some killer shots!)

We’ve got the rest covered—just bring your gear, good vibes, and an adventurous spirit, and we’ll handle the rest!

➝ Arrival & Kickoff:

8:00 AM on August 6th – We hit the ground running with an Arrival + Welcome Breakfast alongside your educators Carissa, Graeme, Kelly, and Vanessa. No slow starts here—be ready to immerse yourself from the very first moment!

➝ Farewell & Wrap-Up:

The retreat officially wraps up late at night on August 8th after our Alfresco Dinner Under the Stars, where we’ll reflect, share takeaways, and set future plans in motion.

➝ Checkout:

10:00 AM on August 9th – After an unforgettable three days, checkout is on Saturday morning to allow you a proper, full experience without feeling rushed to pack up and leave before we’re done!

💡 Why the extra night? From personal experience, I know how frustrating it is when a "three-day workshop" really ends up being just a half-day at the start and a rushed goodbye at the end. This retreat is FULL and full-on—we are making every single hour count, and that's why we have a dedicated full three-day experience before winding down and checking out on Saturday.

If you're flying in, we recommend arriving on August 5th to settle in and avoid any travel stress. Likewise, consider staying an extra night to soak up the Byron Bay vibes before heading back!

Want in? Let’s lock it in! To secure your spot at Venture Folk Retreat 02, a 20% retainer (AUD) is required at the time of booking.

🔥 Early Bird Pricing – Snag your ticket at the best price before 12:00 AM AEST on March 30, 2025. First in, best dressed!

Once your retainer is paid, you’ll have the option to spread out your payments like this:

➝ 20% – Due at the time of booking (let’s make it official!)
➝ 30% – Due April 30, 2025
➝ 30% – Due May 30, 2025
➝ 20% – Due June 30, 2025

The full balance is due by June 30, 2025, but if this setup doesn’t work for you—no stress! Just shoot us a message, and we’ll see what we can do to make it work. We get it, and we want this to be as accessible as possible!

Secure your spot early and get ready for three days of creative magic, deep connections, and career-changing moments!

➝ Nearest Airports:

Ballina Byron Gateway Airport (BNK) – Approx. 30 minutes from Byron Bay.

Gold Coast Airport (OOL) – Approx. 45 minutes from Byron Bay.

Brisbane Airport (BNE) – Approx. 2 hours from Byron Bay.

➝ Transportation Options:

Car Rental – The easiest way to get around, especially for shoot locations. We highly recommend carpooling with other attendees—we’re happy to help connect you!

Airport Shuttle Services – Available from Ballina and Gold Coast airports directly to Byron Bay.

Rideshare & Taxis – Uber, DiDi, and taxis operate in the area but can be pricey for longer distances.

If you're flying in, we suggest landing at Ballina or Gold Coast for the quickest transfer. Once in Byron, we encourage carpooling between locations for a smoother and more connected experience!

This retreat is FULL and full-on, so come prepared to make the most of it! Here’s what you’ll need:

➝ Energy, smiles & all your questions! Bring your best vibes, an open mind, and a wild heart ready to create!

➝ Boots & a beanie – We’ll be out in nature, so pack sturdy footwear for uneven terrain and a cosy beanie for those crisp Byron Bay mornings.

➝ Camera gear & film cameras – Whatever you shoot with, bring it! DSLR, mirrorless, film—if it tells a story, it belongs here.

➝ Laptop + accessories – If you want to follow along during the editing sessions, bring your laptop, charger, external storage, and make sure Lightroom & Photoshop are already installed.

➝ Pen & notebook – You’re about to be hit with a ton of knowledge bombs, so bring something to jot down all the gold.

➝ Layers, layers, layers! – The days can be warm, but the mornings and evenings can get chilly. Pack layers so you're comfortable no matter what.

➝ Water bottle & coffee mug – We’re all about reducing waste, so bring a reusable bottle and mug to stay hydrated (and caffeinated ☕).

➝ Extra snacks & your preferred drinks – We’ve got most meals covered, but if you have a favourite snack or drink, bring it along! Alcohol won’t be supplied, so if you fancy a drink in the evenings, pack your faves.

This is going to be an unforgettable three days—bring everything you need to soak it all in and create some magic!

➝ 15 photographers – We’re keeping this retreat intimate and high-impact, ensuring that everyone gets the most out of their experience, with plenty of one-on-one time, hands-on learning, and deep connections.

➝ Speaker-only tickets – Maybe! 🎤 These will only be released after all 15 spots are filled, so stay tuned if you're keen to attend just for the education.

➝ One lucky person will win our grand giveaway! Keep an eye out—you could be scoring a free ticket to this epic experience!

➝ First in, best dressed! Once spots are gone, they’re gone—so don’t wait too long!

August in Byron Bay is winter, but don’t let that fool you—it’s one of the most stunning times of the year! Expect daytime highs of around 22°C and lows of about 10°C, though it can sometimes drop below 5°C at night. During the day, the sun is warm, and you’ll likely be comfortable in a t-shirt, but you’ll definitely want layers for the cooler mornings and evenings. A jumper or light jacket is a must, and don’t forget sunscreen—Queensland winter sun can still be strong!

🌅 Sunrise: Around 6:20am
🌇 Sunset: Around 5:30pm

This event will go ahead rain, hail, or shine—because let’s be real, when you’re booked for a wedding or elopement, the show must go on! If, for any reason, the retreat itself is cancelled, attendees will receive a full credit for our next workshop or a refund on monies paid not including retainer paid.

You’re absolutely welcome to join, but it’s highly recommended that you already have experience shooting and are confident in using Manual Mode. This retreat is designed for photographers who know their camera inside and out and are ready to refine their storytelling, creativity, and business approach.

Out of respect for all attendees and the fast-paced, immersive nature of the retreat, we won’t have time to teach the basics of camera operation. If you’re still learning how to use your camera, we encourage you to gain more hands-on experience before attending to ensure you get the most out of this intensive, high-energy experience.

➝ Abso-fricken-luuuuuuuuuutelyyyyyyy! We want you to! These shoots are designed to help you elevate your portfolio, attract your dream clients, and showcase your creative vision.

➝ Vendor tags will be provided, so tag away and give credit where it’s due! Sharing is caring, and it helps everyone grow together.

Follow our Instagram page @venturefolkretreat for updates or sign up for our mailing list! Cause 2026 is already in planning stage and it’s gonna be huge! 4 epic days filled with unlimited fun and learnings and it just maybe international!

Please let us know and we will plan to accommodate your needs

Life happens—we get it! However, once you’ve paid your deposit or full amount, we’re unable to offer refunds. The good news? Your ticket is fully transferable, meaning if you can’t make it, you’re welcome to arrange for someone else to attend in your place.

As a business, we hope you can appreciate that running an event like this requires a minimum number of tickets sold to proceed. While we fully expect this retreat to sell out quickly (because, let’s be real, it’s going to be epic), in the unlikely event that the minimum isn’t reached, you’ll receive a full refund of your ticket balance.

Just a heads-up: Any external costs, like flights or accommodation booked outside of the retreat package, won’t be included in the refund.

Rest assured, we’ll keep you in the loop every step of the way—we’re all about good vibes and transparency!