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The Evolution of the Elena S Blair Mastermind Retreats
34 Plays10 days ago
In this heartfelt episode, Elena shares the story behind the creation and transformation of her signature Mastermind Retreats. From a modest gathering of 20 photographers in post-COVID Seattle to an industry-recognized annual event with over 80 attendees, these retreats have become a sanctuary for connection, creativity, and business growth. Elena walks us through the values, structure, and special moments that make the retreat unlike any other experience in the photography world—and invites you to envision your seat at the table.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- The origin story of the Mastermind Retreat and how it has evolved since 2022
- What makes this retreat different from other industry events
- The intentional design behind the retreat experience: from styled shoots to print competitions
- Why community and aligned business strategy go hand in hand
- How to apply or join the waitlist for the next retreat
Links & Resources:
Apply for the next Mastermind
Learn more about the Mastermind Program
Connect With Me:
Follow me on Instagram
Join my Facebook Community
Visit my Website for More!
Subscribe & Review:
If you loved this episode, make sure to subscribe and leave a review! Your support helps the podcast reach more photographers like you. 💛
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Transcript
Introduction to Empowered Podcast
00:00:00
Elena Blair
What's up, everyone? Welcome back to Empowered, the educational but podcast for photographers to empower you to step into the next version of self, to take this whole photography business thing and win. And I am always here to never, ever gatekeep.
Mastermind Retreat Overview
00:00:17
Elena Blair
You know that. I give All of the information i want everyone to win.
00:00:22
Elena Blair
So today is just going to be a little more fun. um I wanted to talk about the evolution of the Elena S. Blair Mastermind Retreats. I have a high ticket mastermind that is a five month long group coaching program that has been very transformative for over 200 photographers from all over the world.
00:00:42
Elena Blair
And we end the retreat. We used to end each, I'm sorry, excuse
Evolution and Growth of the Retreat
00:00:47
Elena Blair
me. We used to end each cohort with a retreat and the community has grown so much that we have gone to just doing one retreat a year, and it has become an industry-recognized event, and I'm very, very proud of it.
00:00:59
Elena Blair
So I wanted to tell a little story time a little story today, talk a little bit about the evolution of these retreats and what what's coming in the future, and just a little more about this really special event that I host every single year.
00:01:12
Elena Blair
So it started as a small in-person retreat. um it The first one that we ever did was in Seattle just after COVID in 2022. And it was um only about, i believe, gosh, maybe 30 attendees that first time, maybe 20 actually.
00:01:29
Elena Blair
So it was in January of 2022 and less than 20 photographers gathered with open hearts and big dreams. We spent two days creating, connecting, and we left forever changed. And I knew that that was really just the beginning.
00:01:45
Elena Blair
Today my retreat has grown into something extraordinary. Now we do it once a year and more than 80 photographers come together.
Retreat Experience and Highlights
00:01:53
Elena Blair
And I'm so lucky to say that I am supported by industry leaders like Canon, B&H Photo, Miller's Lab, Shootproof, Imagine AI, Color Ink, and more. And it really has become something photographers dream of being a part of. I get asked about it a lot.
00:02:10
Elena Blair
We have held the retreats in unforgettable locations. Napa Valley, Palm Springs, which is one of our favorite locations to hold it, Seattle, Brooklyn, and each space that we choose is really handpicked. It's and meant to inspire creativity, but most importantly, connection.
00:02:29
Elena Blair
This is really where business and artistry meet. During the two-day event, we dive into things like marketing, pricing, and aligned business strategy.
00:02:39
Elena Blair
I really want photographers to grow businesses that feel meaningful to them and aligned. We explore mindset, wellness, creativity. We photograph together, we reflect, and we build lifelong friendships.
00:02:54
Elena Blair
We don't just learn. You create so much with your people that you are with during the retreat. You'll make lasting connections. We do live photo shoots, styled session, content opportunities.
00:03:05
Elena Blair
We do a headshot exchange party, which is um really one of the most favorite parts. Moments that really reignite your creative fire, reignite your creative fire and fill your portfolio with intention.
00:03:17
Elena Blair
I am so proud of my speaker lineups. I bring in top speakers in our industry, but also up and coming speakers, giving them a platform to get started if they if they need that. Because when you're trying to become a speaker in the beginning, it can be a little bit harder to find somebody who will bring you to their event. And so I'm proud to say that I bring up and coming speakers as well.
00:03:38
Elena Blair
We also have a prestigious print competition that invites attendees to showcase their work in a stunning gallery experience and to become an award-winning photographer. It's really a chance to be seen and celebrated and inspired by one another.
00:03:54
Elena Blair
Like I said, i bring in really powerful voices. Each year features incredible speakers who have built thriving photography business with and businesses with integrity, passion, and purpose.
00:04:06
Elena Blair
You will for sure learn from the best and leave with clarity that you didn't know was missing. You will leave my retreat different, changed,
00:04:17
Elena Blair
expanded, inspired. And it's different than any other event in the photography industry. It really is. You'll go home with confidence, vision, and a support system that doesn't fade when the event ends.
Exclusivity and Application Process
00:04:30
Elena Blair
It's really hard to describe, but once you're there, you'll know. If you're curious about coming to a future retreat, you have to be a mastermind member. So it's only available to current members and alumni because I really want to keep it special. I don't want it to be people that don't feel like they're in a room with like-minded photographers. I want it to be a really safe space.
00:04:52
Elena Blair
So I'm about to open up applications for my mastermind again. i will link um in the show notes a way to get on the wait list or apply depending on when we launch this episode. And if you're looking for connection, if you're looking for camaraderie, if you're looking for your people, my mastermind is the way to do that.
00:05:13
Elena Blair
And i am so proud of this community. I'm so proud of my retreats. And I hope that I get to see you at the next one.