The Creative Collective
Salt Lake City, Utah | June 26-29
a photographers dream content weekend
“I am so grateful that I traveled across the country for this retreat!! It was life changing and I can’t thank Maegan and everyone on the team enough!” - becca c.
meet your host
maegan grendell host & speaker
HELLO!!! My name is Maegan Grendell…Creative portrait photographer & host of The Creative Collective!
Growing up, I was surrounded by a passion for art and photography. My parents both have a love for it as well, which is how I picked up my first camera at age three. I never put it down. There is nothing quite like creating art with people, and of people. Especially art that is untraditional, authentic, emotional, and tells a story!
Besides photography, I love spending time with my friends and family, I can't do anything without listening to music, and I love traveling and the outdoors :)
I never would have dreamed I would get do to something as fulfilling and motivating as this, let alone as my job. Photography allows me to create with intent, meet the most kind-hearted people, spend time in stunning locations, and tell stories in a new way.
This will be the second Creative Co, and I am so excited to be bringing it back! I cannot wait to meet you & to create with you!
the speakers
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Summer Grace
SPEAKER / WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER & EDUCATOR
Summer Grace is a Los Angeles-based wedding photographer, but her true passion lies in teaching and mentoring other photographers. She began her journey into photography at just 16, quickly discovering it was more than a career—it was a way to connect, tell stories, and create something extraordinary.
As the founder of her educational brand Summer School, she empowers photographers to refine their craft and build sustainable, inspiring businesses. Drawing from her own experiences navigating the ups and downs of the industry, she shares practical advice, creative inspiration, and the tools needed to stand out in a competitive field.
When she’s not teaching or photographing weddings, Summer enjoys life in Los Angeles with her husband, a musician and audio engineer, their baby girl Georgia Grace, and their pup, Indigo. Through her work, Summer’s mission is to help others create art and a life they’re proud of.
@summergrace.photo
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Jenalee James
SPEAKER / STORYTELLING PHOTOGRAPHER
“Hello! I'm Jenalee- a visual poet and storyteller! I strive to capture the world through my lens with a deep passion for emotion, authenticity, and timeless beauty. For me, photography is more than just taking pictures — it's about writing poems with my camera and preserving the candid, unposed moments that reveal the true essence of love and connection.
I've always had an obsession with telling stories as a way to romanticize my life and the world around me. I adore the idea of my clients being characters in a movie about their love story, and I believe the most powerful stories are found in the imperfect, unscripted moments. My goal is to help my clients create those moments and then relive them each time they look back at the gallery — hoping they can even feel the breeze, hear the laughter, and be transported right back to that very instant.
I’m so excited to share my journey with you, talk about the art of visual storytelling, and hopefully inspire you to see beauty in the real, unpolished moments that make life so rich and love stories worth telling!”
@takenbyjenalee
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Kate Cummings
SPEAKER / CONCERT PHOTOGRAPHER
Hey, I’m Kate Poling-Cummings, a creative portrait and concert photographer based in New York City. I love experimenting with lighting, color, and perspective to create visual engaging photos!
I’m so grateful to travel with artists, capturing moments both on and off stage! When I’m photographing concerts, my number one goal is to capture the raw energy that connects the artist to their fans! I try and replicate how the music feels, how the fans interact with it, and how much it means to the artist. Music has always been a huge inspiration in my life so getting to combine it with photography is truly a dream come true!
I’m so excited to get to share some of my world with you guys!
@katemphotog
the locations
mountains, salt flats, studio, sand dunes
the investment
all inclusive
DON’T MISS A THING
An all inclusive ticket includes:
A 3 night stay in our air bnb
8 meals
Access to all 10 styled shoots
Education from all 4 speakers & q&a
Portfolio building photos at all 4 locations
shared bed
$2,750
private bed
$3,200
*Does not include travel or transportation to and from shoots*
day pass
ONLY AVAILABLE FOR JUNE 27th
A day pass ticket includes:
3 meals
Access to 4-5 styled shoots
Education from 2 speakers & q&a
Portfolio building photos at 2 locations
$900
*Does not include travel, lodging, or transportation to and from shoots*
What past attendees are saying…
“Going to creative co was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’ve been to a few retreats like this and this one has been my favorite. Maegan’s concepts are mind blowing and seeing them come together was absolutely crazy. The variety of shoots, the models, the attendees, and the speakers were all perfect and my experience could not have been better. 10/10 you’ll regret it if you don’t go.”
— @winnslens
“Creative Co is the perfect event for photographers wanting to branch out in their photography and shoot in a new environment. I'm coming from Orange County, California, where there aren't a lot of greenery/mountains so I LOVED being able to shoot in a completely different backdrop than I am used to! Being able to watch Maegan shoot and learn from her is a dream come true and I am so happy I was able to attend. I am so grateful for the friendships I made while I was here. To be able to bond with so many photographers is so special. The concepts were executed perfectly and I will absolutely be back!”
— @amyareyphotography
“Creative Co over everything! The friendships made, the content taken, models, food, speakers, everything was great! Maegan really paid attention to the details of the different shoots and it shows! The models absolutely killed every single concept and really brought it to life! I love the variety in the locations and the shoots so I have a little bit of everything to show potential clients! 10/10 recommend going if you’re able to! If you don’t attend the next one, you’re truly going to regret it!”
— @photosxbailee
“This retreat was worth every penny I spent. I felt very safe, taken care of, and I was having fun, learning new things each day. The entire trip, start to finish, was truly life changing. If I was specifically talking about photography, my favorite part would have to be going to each different location. My mind was blown away at each one and I kept feeling more and more excited! Overall, I would have to say the best part was meeting my new best friends. Everyone welcomed each other with open arms, there was no negativity, no drama, only positive affirmations & teaching each other new skills. Even though the car rides were long sometimes, that was where we got to know one another, tell funny stories, laugh, sing our hearts out, etc. I’m not the best at making new friends but this retreat changed my life. Yes, because of the skills and information I learned, but also because of the people I met and the relationships I formed.”
— @paytonbayphotography
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The Creative Co. is a content and education weekend that will take place in Salt Lake City, UT from June 26-29, 2025.
Attendees will build friendships, expand their portfolio, better their business, explore Utah, build a community of likeminded creatives. You will be attending TEN creative styled shoots in FOUR iconic Utah locations, and will be taught by FOUR talented photographers.
20 photographers
10 photoshoots
4 educational speakers
4 locations
1 air bnb
The Creative Co. eliminates the stress of planning and allows for photographers to show up ready to create and connect.
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This three day event is geared towards photographers who have a hunger to learn, meet other creatives, expand their portfolio in new ways, and to create!
Photographers of all levels of experience and niches are welcome to apply.
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The weekend will consist of 10+ unique photoshoots at 4 iconic Utah locations.
These photoshoots will include a good mix of niches; editorial fashion, storytelling couples, creative portraits, documentary bridal, etc. All shoots have the same goal: push attendees to create outside of the box and create work like never before.
Come eager to create and break boundaries.
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Maegan will be reviewing ALL applications and choosing 20 photographers who are a great fit for the Creative Co. at this time.
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Our 10 shoots will take place at these 4 locations:
Mountains
Salt Flats
Sand Dunes
Studio
Please be aware that some locations are far and we will be driving quite a bit throughout the weekend!
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$600 will be required upon acceptance to secure your spot. The remaining cost will be split into three payments. The total cost is due three weeks prior to the event. If this is not doable, please contact Maegan to discuss.
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I get it! It can seem silly to share a bed with someone you just met. If you decide to share a bed, you will be matched with a roommate that I think you would get along well with! One of my goals for the weekend is that everyone feels welcome and comfortable. If there is any worry beforehand or any issue during the weekend, please feel free to talk to Maegan!
But if you choose to do so, this helps to keep costs down as well as allow more attendees to experience Creative Co! Our Air Bnb has a limited number of beds, so sharing beds maximizes our space. The beds are queens, so don’t worry! You will have plenty of room. A sleepover!!!!