Winter Wonderland
Photography Retreat
Embrace a slower pace combined with intentional photography sessions on our beautiful farm!
January 23rd to 25th, 2026 | Inn at Mary’s Land Farm in Ellicott City, MD
Enhance Your Skills in a Serene and Cozy Environment
This Winter Wonderland Photography Retreat offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the serene beauty of Mary’s Land Farm while significantly enhancing your photographic skill set.
Over the planned weekend sessions, you will benefit from hands-on instruction, including one-on-one time with host Kristine Carter, focusing on everything from harnessing natural light and landscape composition to mastering fine-tuned post-production editing.
The retreat includes five meals and comfortable accommodations, providing a supportive, creative environment to truly connect with nature through your lens.
What You'll Gain Over the Weekend
Hands-On Sessions
Experience one-on-one time with the instructor, get out on the farm for practical shoots, and truly enjoy what nature has to offer in the winter light. Afterwards, learn lessons on tidying up your images and more!
Unique Setting
Embrace the slower pace and visual serenity of the farm during winter, providing unparalleled access to landscapes, historic structures, and farm animals for intentional photography sessions.
Tips & Tricks
Benefit from structured instruction covering everything from natural light and composition to fine-tuning post-production editing skills and the crucial process of image selection.
Meet Your Host
Fine Art Photography
My landscape, wildlife, and flora photographs are meditations in gratitude for nature’s healing beauty. Primarily self-taught, I came into photography in my forties while hiking in the mountains. My personal study of impressionistic paintings influences my post-production work. Coming from a theatre and creative writing background, I often discover stories, characters, and scenes in my photoshoots. I view my images as a dialogue between nature, the viewer, and the artist.
After moving to Floyd, Virginia six years ago, I fell in love with local farms. I began celebrating the loving care local farmers give their animals, plants, and land through her pictures. In these win/win partnerships, farmers incorporate images from the photoshoots in their marketing efforts, while I reserve printing rights.
Maggie Art Gallery displays a wide variety of my images. Floyd Center for the Arts has included my work in several themed shows. Floyd Chamber of Commerce showcases my local landscape photography on their website’s homepage banner. Floyd Artisan Trail has featured my photography on their marketing brochures two years in a row. Virginia Tourism grants have funded some of my farm and venue photography.
Weekend Agenda
What the Inn Has Got in Store for You!
Friday
- 2:00 PM Early Check-in for Overnight Guests.
- Late Afternoon: Setting Intentions, Introductions, and Charcuterie.
- Evening Session: Mary’s Land Farm Photo Study & Sunset Shoot. Slideshow review of Kristine Carter’s work to inspire and inform. Learn about natural light and landscape composition.
- Dinner Provided by the Inn.
- Evening Activity: The Power of Selection. Review and select the best images from the sunset shoot (a crucial part of editing).
Saturday
- Breakfast Provided by the Inn.
- Morning Session: Farm Animal Photography. Focus on capturing expressions, actions, portraits, and group photos.
- Lunch Provided by the Inn.
- Afternoon Session: Fine-Tuning Editing Workshop. Demonstration and one-on-one help covering light, shadow, sharpening, and knowing when to stop editing.
- Evening Session: The Golden Hour. Apply skills to capture the fleeting sunset light, focusing on historic structures and framing techniques.
- Evening: Dinner not Provided; Open to Dine Out locally.
- Optional: Solo editing or photography documentary screening. Submission opportunity for Sunday’s showcase (5–10 pictures).
Sunday
- Breakfast Provided by the Inn.
- Morning Session: The Brightness of Being. Master handling full sunlight, overcast weather advantages, and using supplemental lighting.
- Break: Check out of rooms.
- Lunch Provided by the Inn.
- Afternoon Session: Editing Buildings & Showcase. Learn to edit horizontal/vertical lines in architectural photos.
- Final Showcase and Wrap Up: Slideshow of everyone’s favorite work, key takeaways, and future workshop registration
Please Note that the Agenda is Subject to Change
Pricing and Booking Options
Featured: Full Weekend Program
This package provides the complete, immersive experience with all five structured sessions, exclusive evening activities, and all meals.
Duration: Friday Afternoon to Sunday Afternoon
Price: $485 Per Person
Meals Included: 5 Meals (Friday Dinner, Saturday Lunch & Dinner, Sunday Lunch/Snacks)
Accommodation: Optional. Overnight stay is not included in the retreat price.
Early Bird Discount:
SAVE 20% on your 2-night onsite stay if you book your accommodation before January 1, 2026 (2 night minimum required).
Saturday Only Access
Perfect for local photographers who want intense, practical instruction without the overnight stay commitment.
Duration: Saturday Only (8:00 AM – 6:00 PM)
Price: $425 Per Person
Meals Included: 2 Meals (Saturday Breakfast and Lunch)
Access: Includes three core sessions and one-on-one instructor time.
Note:
Does not include Friday or Sunday sessions, or the Saturday evening activity/dinner.
Important Registration & Accommodation Notes
How to Book Your Stay: While the retreat fee does not include lodging, we highly recommend staying onsite to enjoy the full farm experience and the early check-in/late-night sessions. The 20% accommodation discount is a limited-time offer. Please select the accommodation option during registration or call the Inn directly to reserve your discounted room (2-night minimum applies).
Crucial Note on Value: The Saturday-Only Access is designed for maximum efficiency for those who cannot commit to the whole weekend. Given the high-value instruction and two included meals, the pricing reflects the intensive, one-on-one time with Kristine Carter.
