Guiding Light: A Weekend of Connection, Creativity, and Clarity in Carlton Landing
This past May, I hosted my very first family photography workshop and retreat Guiding Light in one of my favorite places –Carlton Landing– and I’m still smiling about the friendships made, the creativity sparked, and the deep work we did together!
Over three days together, I had the honor of gathering with eight talented photographers who came ready to dive in. And dive in we did. We covered everything from client experience and session flow to posing, prompting, and marketing strategy -plus, we got our cameras out for three fully styled shoots:
✨ A joyful outdoor golden hour family session
✨ A cozy, real-life in-home shoot
✨ A playful, movement-filled basketball court session
Each one gave us space to explore, try new things, and challenge ourselves outside of our creative comfort zones.
And let me tell you – watching the attendees step into that challenge and create from a place of intention and authenticity? It was magic. Truly.
We laughed, we learned, we asked big questions, we shared hard things, and we walked away with not just fresh ideas, but real friendships.
Attendees first row from left to right: Katie: Eight-Eight and Co, Whitney Shaw: Whitney Shaw Photography , Host: Haley Kinzie: Haley Kinzie Photography Lindsey Brown: Lindsey K Brown Photography Not Pictured: Lexi Freymiller: Lexi Freymiller Photography Second Row left to right: Bailey Griffith: Bailey Griffith Tara Brady: Tara Brady Photo Caroline Eidson: Caroline Eidson Portraits Melissa: The Colorful Edit Photography
Here’s what a few attendees had to say about their family photography workshop experience:
“Leaving Guiding Light Retreat so encouraged and grateful for the community with all these talented ladies! There was not a wasted minute! It was packed with education and encouragement. I was stretched in how I approached sessions and refining my client experience! Attending a family photography workshop was the perfect start to the year. I’m so grateful for Haley, her heart for photographer education, and the community of photographers she brought together!”
“The Guiding Light retreat was a genuine gift of time spent creatively thinking, networking, and connecting with other photographers. Haley colored the retreat with her kindness and intention to help us grow personally and professionally. From posing and prompting to marketing and communications, you get to fine-tune every part of your business in one weekend. Haley’s coach-style teaching helps you see the gaps—and fill them with your own creative spark.”
“I was so surprised to learn how much I was making posing difficult. Looking at it from a different perspective—capturing connection and authenticity—has made my sessions feel so much lighter. This retreat was a true creative push. Getting to spend the weekend with such amazing and supportive photographers was everything.”
Guiding Light was born out of a desire to create a space where family photographers can reflect, refine, and reset – where we can learn together, cheer each other on, and be reminded why we love this work in the first place. And in my book? Community over competition always wins.
If that sounds like something your heart (and business) could use? I hope you’ll join me at our next family photography workshop and retreat!
More details coming soon – make sure you’re on the list. ✨
