If you have yet to catch the vision of the #CommunityOverCompetition movement amongst photographers and other fellow creatives, it’s something I highly suggest you look into. It’s what drives me as part of this industry, and I’m so excited to see the waves that are being created by some amazing friends of mine like Natalie and Krista who just founded Rising Tide Society and the girls over at Sweet Root Village and Alyssa Anne Photography who founded Thrive, a retreat for established photographers. Both of these movements have such incredible hearts behind them, but today I want to help spread the word about the latter!

Back when I first heard about Thrive, I wanted to go so badly! But, as it would turn out, I had a commitment I couldn’t reschedule, and unfortunately as soon as I heard about the second event (which is coming up at the end of this month!) I knew that only weeks after having a baby, I still wouldn’t be able to make it to this one, either. But it was too good for me not to share with the rest of you, because I think a retreat like this sounds so refreshing professionally, creatively, and relationally! To get a better idea of what it’s all about, here’s a snippet from their website:

There is so much we can learn from each other if given the opportunity. When we choose to be vulnerable and be courageous enough to open ourselves up, we allow someone else to pour into our lives and we come out on the other side more well rounded and inspired to go on creating. We want to provide opportunities for our local community to forge ahead, create bonds, and become better. We want to see an avenue for other established photographers to come together, not to just learn from one person but to grow together, refresh each other, and ultimately be inspired.

Think of this as a photographer’s roundtable. THRIVE is for those of us who have established photography businesses and want to spend a day with fellow photographers honing our skills together, being refreshed in our art, and ultimately building community together.

At THRIVE we will spend time giving and receiving personalized encouragement and critique as we take time to go through each others portfolios. We will talk about pressing questions and issues for growing our businesses. But most of all, we will be connecting, sharing meals, and getting to know each other so that we can grow together.

This day is not for those that are just looking to receive, but for those who are ready to both give AND receive. It is for someone who wants to be freshly inspired in their photography, who is open to the honest opinions of others, who is ready to have a ton of fun making new photographer friends, and who is ready to THRIVE.

It basically sounds like a Kinfolk gathering-meets-photographer-retreat. Amazing, right?! You can check out more information and apply for an invitation here. I certainly hope they continue these events in the future and that one will eventually work out with my schedule. But if you’re able, I think a little pick-me-up inspiration in the middle of wedding season would do ANY photographer good!

Here’s to learning, growing, and thriving together as an industry of fellow creatives who want to see each other succeed!

Photos from my trip to Charleston a couple months ago.