The Photo Fuel
Retreat & Mastermind for family photographers
The Photo Fuel
hands-on learning, accountability, and growth
Leah O'Connell
Charlottesville family photographer
Mastermind: February - May 2026 | Retreat: March 26-29, 2026
THE SPRING RETREAT IS SOLD OUT.
Please join the waitlist for details on the summer/early fall round
What would it feel like to have hands-on support during a shoot... to practice playfully photographing families without fear or expectations?
What kind of inspiration would you discover from sipping your coffee on the front porch with a handful of other photographers who really get it?
How would your life change if you finally had clarity around what you're creating and how you're creating it?
Fuel your heart and mind to tune towards the vision, art, and business you're longing to make.
- Have been photographing families for at least a year or two, but feel like something’s missing or the work they’re doing isn’t quite turning out the way they see it in their head
- Are looking to make more natural, lifestyle images of families that feel timeless but also artistic and without tired or cheesy posing.
- Enjoy working in small, intimate groups vs big conferences or shootouts
- Are eager to get un-stuck, commit to creative practice, and pour some gasoline on the dream of making their photography business something that really thrives
For family photographers who:
March 26-29
in Madison, VA
Pay in full
No generic templates or generalized fluff. We'll work on pricing, client experience, marketing approaches, and business systems that fit your goals and life context - every other week with space between to implement and practice.
What's included:
We’re a group of photographers… of course we’re going to take pictures of each other.
7 Group Calls from February-May
Build on your portfolio gaps, improve your photography skills, and explore shoot concepts you’ve been dying to try but aren't sure how to get rolling.
Projects and assignments to light your creative spark
4 day All inclusive Retreat
From Thursday afternoon - Sunday morning, we'll soak in small-town living + an immersive time to work and play with peers. All meals and snacks are covered, as well as travel during the retreat.
4 shoots with real families
Portrait swap
Throughout our weekly calls, I'll occasionally assign small projects, prompts, or goals to complete through that week to challenge you.
4 installments of $725 between now and the end of the program
the next retreat is:
I'll review your online presence and portfolio and give you clear feedback, from image choice to design to SEO logistics.
Individual Portfolio & Website audits
Unlimited Voxer access to me throughout the mastermind to troubleshoot, ideate, and encourage you along the way! We'll also set up a group Voxer chat to share wins, hold each other accountable, ask questions, and keep the conversations going.
Voxer Access / a Back-pocket team
Want more details? Keep reading!
Reserve your spot
Payment Plan
The Location:
A large restored home in Madison, VA with tons of character and charm, nestled among a small town and gorgeous wineries of Central, VA. It's 30 minutes from Charlottesville and about 90 from Dulles Airport. (Transportation will be provided, including airport pickup in my trusty van.)
Each attendee will have her own bed and there are many beautiful nooks to gather or steel away for reflection and rest between shoots.
The vision
I am insanely excited to bring this retreat to life. There's a unique clarity that comes when you're able to step away from your responsibilities and and immerse yourself in the work of both dreaming and doing.
I grew up in Virginia, am raising my family here, and have built a reputable, successful business in the valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains - I want to share it all with you.
It’s easy to wonder about ‘what if’s’ when you’re alone behind your computer.
It’s also easier to see who you truly are when it's being reflected by others who can look into your eyes and pass you the bread.
5 photographers, 1 home, 4 shoots, 4 months of collaborative work
But how?
The Mastermind Calls
Group calls will start the week of Feb 9th. We’ll have three group calls before the retreat and 4 more group calls afterwards. Each photographer will also get a 1:1 kickoff and wrap up call with me for even more individualized attention.
Some weeks, we’ll share and troubleshoot work, and other weeks I’ll teach more specific lessons on things like culling for stronger galleries and “quiet” marketing strategies. Lessons will also include skills-based learning like tips for directing clients vs posing them and running a smooth session flow. while staying creative and spontaneous.
These regular touchpoints will keep you accountable to action steps and growth while strengthening our group trust and improving your business.
The Shoots
I will plan out 4 different shoots during the retreat, inspired by our conversations together in the first weeks. I want these shoots to help you fill the gaps in your portfolio and improve your skills as a family photographer.
It’s not meant to just be gorgeous and easy. I want to craft scenarios that will challenge you and allow you to try new things without the pressure of a paid session.
I envision a variety of opportunities, including in-home and outdoor sessions, and with different dynamics of people, ages of kids, body sizes etc. We'll experiment with incorporating activity, animals, different lighting, and whatever else lights your spark.
The Audits
Aside from shooting together while we're in-person, we’ll also gather for individual portfolio and website audits, where you'll get feedback and clear steps to better convert the work you're making into future work as well. Get input from the group on your strengths and leave your audit feeling empowered with concrete ideas about how to improve.
We’ll talk about everything from design, to curation, to SEO with equal parts context, care, and constructive critique that’s specific to your work and where you want to take it.
The Extras
Simple joys are kindof my thing. So while "swag" feels unnecessary, I'm not above sharing things I love in order to spread creativity, delight, and ideas.
And let's not forget the magic that happens through in-between moments. It comes in the form of late-night conversations, Voxer chats in pickup lines, vulnerable honesty, coffee walks around a small town, and new friendships with people who get it.
Ali built confidence as a new photographer, raised her prices, refined her experience, leaned into her unique style, and is running with it.
Ali Latimer
in their words
Here's what others have experienced from working with me through mentoring:
Paige, Sundayvibes Photo
"Leah's bedside manner as a mentor is perfect. She blends honest feedback with a warm and encouraging presence. She's incredibly insightful and helped me identify blind spots in my business and mindset that were holding me back.
I needed a high level audit of my whole business to make sure I was moving in a healthy, sustainable direction, and that's exactly what I got from my time with Leah. "
"Leah walked the fine line of giving opinions and coaching me through - that can be really tricky to navigate.
She truly listened and was able to navigate me towards making many small changes in my business. I really enjoyed our time in person to focus on portfolio and business decisions as well as photographing a family together and seeing how Leah approaches in-home sessions. [I learned] better culling skills, and about setting my own boundaries of what I WANT to do and shoot + how to make outdoor photos "feel" more in-home and more honest/true.
There are a lot of mentors out there and some can be loose-y goosey and some are just not approachable (even if they say they are). [Leah is] an amazing mentor and I am so thankful. "
Chrissy, Christina Tundo Photography
I chose Leah as a mentor me coming out of a tough fall photography season and gravitated towards her experience, creativity, kind-hearted and supportive approach.
I loved that in our mentoring time, we tackled everything from workflow, creative inspiration, client experience, pricing, website design, portfolio review, and marketing.
Investment
- 4 months of direct support for your growth and business
- 7 group calls with training, troubleshooting, and community
- 2 1:1 mentoring calls with me
- An all inclusive weekend to immerse yourself in creating, dreaming, and doing alongside a mentor and peers
- 4 customized portfolio and skills-building family shoots
- A custom portfolio and online presence audit
- Headshots from me and others in the group
- Accountability, teamwork, and creative fuel in the first half of the year to change the course of your business
Founding rate
$2900
*payment plans available
Family Photography Retreat and Mastermind
Pay in full
4 installments of $725 between now and the end of the program
Payment Plan
Only 5 spots
1 spot left
This was my first time investing in mentorship - something I've come to realize is a much needed investment for any photographer, no matter how far along we are in our business journey.
Of the many great options out there, I'm so glad I chose to do mentorship with Leah.
Her values-first approach to both business and photography really helped me to get to the core of my goals and make decisions, big and small, from a place of alignment with foundational values.
The unlimited Voxer access was incredibly helpful as well to talk through all the random questions that can come up in building a business. Leah always showed up with kind yet acute, nuanced feedback that I believe helped our entire group to grow. I loved the small group format; it felt intimate yet diverse. The lessons were tailored to our needs/pain points, and the individual hot seats allowed for us to just soak in feedback and wisdom even when they were not our own.
- Kristen Gates
It's more than possible to have a photography business that lights you up, supports your family, and serves your community well. It's not a myth or reserved for the most gregarious personalities.
You can build it without burnout hustle or constant social media.
YES you can and I can help.
Mostly I want you know that I'm here to lift you up,
This is where I'm supposed to start bragging about accolades and experience to convince you I'm a good coach and photographer. But you can listen to my Podcast and poke around on my portfolio to get all of that if you want it.
Hi, I'm Leah.
I will say the hard thing with love. I will hold you accountable. I will empower you and work to see things in you that you can't see yourself. That's where your true magic as an artist and a business owner lies.
You're too awesome for that to stay buried.
photo by Erica Huffnell
Retreat Agenda Overview
Thursday March 26th
- Hang out around town or the neighboring winery while you wait for everyone to get in, then check into the house in the late afternoon. I'll provide transportation from Dullus and/or Charlottesville airport if needed.
- Private dinner at the house
- Goal-setting, heart-opening, laughter - sweatpants welcome.
Friday March 28th
- Breakfast at the house and prep/planning for our first shoot
- Shoot with Family 1
- Casual lunch out & Session Recap/Reflection
- Portfolio & Website Audits
- Late afternoon session with Family 2
- Cooking, sipping, and recapping together at the house for the rest of the evening
Saturday March 29th
- Breakfast and prep/planning for our third shoot
- In-home session with Family 3
- Carryout lunch back at the house
- More Portfolio & Website Audits
- Meet Family 4 for our last session
- Dinner in Charlottesville, VA
- Back to the house for evening hangs
Sunday March 30th
- Photography swap with one another around the house/property
- Breakfast/brunch and wrap up by 10ish to checkout
SAVE YOUR SPOT!
Q&A
- Group calls: 1 hour every other week.
- 1:1 calls: Two 1-hour sessions with me over the course of the program.
- Voxer access: Ongoing, in the pockets of your day whenever your brain is spinning about something - on a drive, folding laundry etc.
Assignments are flexible and self-paced. The more you invest in showing up and implementing what we cover, the more you’ll get out of it. Ideally, When you have accountability, the time you spend working is more purposeful and clear, which ultimately saves you time in the long run (and is a lot less lonely and confusing).
During the retreat, will I have my own room?
You’ll absolutely have your own bed. Rooms may be shared depending on the final house or cabin we land in, but the goal is for everyone to feel comfortable and cared for (and get a good, recharging nights sleep).
How do I know if this is a good fit for me?
If you want your work to feel more candid, connected, and personal and want hands-on practice... you'll get that in the retreat.
If you crave constructive feedback and accountability to figure out what's next for your work and your business, this is exactly what you've been waiting for.
If you're feeling anxious to dig deeper and turn your photography into a business you love and that makes you money, are tired of working in total isolation, and are looking for a welcoming, intentional space to reset, create, think, and grow... this was made for you.
I’m nervous about committing to a big investment… is it going to be worth it?
- Feel like something is off with your work - in business or style - and you want to uncover how to make it all feel more aligned.
- Want your work to feel more candid, connected, and personal — less stiff and cookie cutter.
- Crave constructive feedback and accountability to figure out what's next for your work and your business
- Are feeling ready to commit to digging deeper to turn your photography into a business you love and that makes you money.
- Are tired of working in total isolation
- Are looking for a welcoming, intentional space to reset, create, think, and grow.
When you say “retreat,” how luxury are we talking?
What is the time commitment for the mastermind portion?
If you’re just starting out and still learning the basics of your camera or business setup, this might feel overwhelming. This retreat is best for photographers who have already started their business, have some experience working with families, and are now ready to refine their style, grow creatively, sharpen their marketing, and excel to a new depth of their work. That said, if you want to be here and are willing to commit, you are welcome.
I’m a brand new photographer - is this a good fit for me?
How is this different from other photography workshops?
The group size is small and designed for more intimate feedback and conversation vs larger lecture-like settings. It also makes for more realistic shooting when there's not 15 people crammed in a room with one family.
Other masterminds are deeply centered on specific financial figures and scaling concrete business systems. I care about your goals and outcomes, but I care about the journey, too. I care about the art. I care about the people we photograph (and I know you do, too). Each photographer will have different results and that's okay because you probably want different things. We'll take a look at the whole picture and refine what success looks like for you.
You’ll leave with not only photographs for your portfolio that feel like what you've been dying to make, but also clarity in your artistic voice and a business strategy that aligns with it. We want to build profitable businesses around your artistic strengths without compromising creative integrity.