Join 21 world-class instructors for the 2026 {online} Newborn Retreat.
Discover fresh posing inspiration, master new lighting techniques, and reignite your creativity
- without ever leaving your studio.
100% Online | Unlimited Replays | LIFETIME Access
3 monthly payments of
one payment
Let's do this! →
Sign me up! →
USD
USD
Tickets: $397 USD
You love photographing newborns - but lately, it might feel like you’re on repeat.
You crave new poses and setups that don’t feel overdone.
You’re second-guessing your lighting or wondering how others make their images look so polished.
And with every scroll, you start to wonder if your work is still evolving — or just standing still.
Then you're in the right place!
And your creativity deserves to keep growing.
But the truth is, it can be easy to become a replica of your favourite photographer or to start feeling like there is a "right" or "wrong" way to do things.
That's where the Newborn Retreat comes in!
21 instructors are here to teach you new techniques, help you find fresh inspiration and take your work to a whole new level.
It's time for your images to shine.
Stay home in your comfy pants and dive in when you're ready. You can binge watch or take your time getting through the classes.
This is YOUR experience...you can watch, pause and replay whenever you need a refresher .
Yes please! →
"...worth every penny. I still learn and grow with every session"
— Sanj Photo
(...and what you'll be learning!)
Transform wraps and props into storytelling tools. Discover how to build cohesive, beautifully styled scenes, transition efficiently, and create diverse galleries your clients will love - all while keeping baby comfortable and safe.
Editing shown: No
Discover how to create multiple maternity photoshoot setups — from simple to more advanced — that result in a rich, diverse gallery their clients will love.
Build a smooth workflow using 1-3 lights (plus color and gels) to craft unique moods, pose every body type with confidence and elegance, and style even basic wardrobe pieces so they look elevated and intentional.
Step beyond one-look sessions and design editorial-style variety with ease and flow - without overwhelming you or your clients.
Editing shown: Yes
Discover the 5 Bs (Bowl, Basket, Bucket, Box, and Bed) with the Newborn Nerds, as they share their full prop posing workflow. Learn lighting, pose adjustment tips, and styling strategies to help you create cohesive setups and consistent galleries with ease.
Editing shown: Yes
Learn how to pose newborns with parents and siblings for natural, emotional, and timeless family portraits.
Discover how to use soft, flattering light to evoke connection and intimacy while keeping everyone comfortable, and see how AI-assisted tools like EVOTO can speed up your workflow for fast, natural-looking edits - so you spend more time creating images your clients will treasure.
Editing shown: Yes
Join Kelsey in-studio to master both multi-light and single-light setups, refine your posing techniques, and move smoothly between setups for beautifully lit, professional results.
Editing shown: Yes
Create a full, beautiful gallery using just one wrap - no assistant needed. Discover how to create variety through clever use of color, setups, and angles, and see how this approach works with babies up to six weeks old.
Editing shown: yes
See how one simple item (the dog bed) can become a cozy, safe, and creative posing tool for stunning newborn portraits.
Editing shown: Yes
Lindsay will demonstrate multiple lighting and posing techniques to create a gallery filled with variety—family, sibling, dad, and mom portraits—that not only tell the family’s story but also consistently become clients’ must-have images.
You’ll also learn how to approach these sessions from a luxury client experience perspective, helping elevate your brand and increase your sales potential with deeply personal, emotionally charged family portraits that become the heart of every newborn collection.
Editing shown: Yes
Create variety and depth in your maternity sessions using a single light source. Discover simple, repeatable setups that deliver consistently beautiful results and variety in your galleries.
Editing shown: Yes
Enroll now→
This class guides photographers through the full NewbornCode process, including wrapping techniques, table-to-prop posing workflows, and using textures for visually appealing setups. You’ll also learn signature wrapping methods, how to work with light and angles for smooth pose transitions, and a fast, clear retouching workflow to complete the entire newborn photography process.
Editing shown: Yes
Blend lifestyle authenticity with studio polish. Learn to guide relaxed, natural sibling and family portraits that feel relaxed, heartfelt and real.
Editing shown: Yes
Capture emotional, close-up images clients adore - no macro lens required. Simple techniques, beautiful images that can lead to ‘must-have’ images to lead to bigger sales.
Editing shown: Yes
Learn how to photograph fussy newborns keeping baby safe and sessions calm, while also delivering a full gallery to your clients.
Editing shown: Yes
Maggie will walk you through how to plan your sessions, shape your image selection, and make your final cull - all while aligning your pricing strategy to give you the best possible chance of achieving those top-tier sales every time.
Learn the exact tools and techniques you can use to create consistently high-profit sales, no matter what stage you’re at in your photography journey.
Editing shown: No
Learn what makes maternity photography so special—and how to plan and execute a stunning outdoor session from start to finish. We’ll cover everything from choosing the right location and lighting, to posing, styling, and color coordination.
You’ll also learn how to guide your clients with confidence, ensure safety and comfort, and use creative composition and camera settings to achieve consistently beautiful, professional results.
Editing shown: No
Maximize your space and your creativity. Discover Fruzsina’s newborn workflow that works even in small spaces.
Editing shown: Yes
Learn how to create vibrant, dreamy maternity images using only natural light, no matter the weather. Discover techniques to flatter your subject, frame them beautifully within their environment, and pose for all body types.
In the editing portion, learn how to create vibrant images without making things look over-saturated or fake, and see how Sioned uses a combination of Photoshop, Lightroom and Evoto to create the sharp but dreamy look you see in her images.
Editing shown: Yes
When you prep your clients well and set the tone before you ever walk through the door, an in-home newborn session stops feeling chaotic - and starts feeling like storytelling. The goal isn’t to control the session- it's to confidently guide it and that’s exactly what Natasha will guide you through.
Editing shown: No
Discover Denise’s approach to safely incorporating the bed into your prop workflow. Learn what to layer for proper positioning, follow natural movement to guide your posing, and see how she transitions smoothly into a wrapped basket setup. She finishes with an edit so you can watch the full sequence come to life.
Editing shown: Yes
Go behind-the-scenes on an in-studio maternity session with Donatella. She’ll then guide you through her complete process on retouching a portrait to perfection. Using both manual techniques as well as a couple plug- options that are built in Photoshop, you’ll discover how to elevate your maternity images for online publication and print.
Editing shown: Yes
3 monthly payments of
one payment
Let's do this! →
Sign me up! →
USD
USD
Videos released: Jan 29th, 2026
Tickets: $397 USD
Get every lesson from every instructor
-ready with the click of a mouse any time you want to watch.
Videos are released Jan 29th, 2026.
Watch from home, pause when you need to, and rewatch as often as you like. With lifetime access, you can revisit every lesson whenever you need a spark of inspiration.
Teachers will be available in our private community for three full weeks to answer questions about their class. It's a safe + drama free place to grow!
3 monthly payments of
one payment
Let's do this! →
Sign me up! →
USD
USD
Tickets: $397 USD
Student, ~Photography by Layal
"Milky Way retreat is a game changer, definitely signing up every year."
This for you if:
is
you love learning new techniques
YOu're excited to evolve your craft
you're ready to grow as an artist
It's probably for you if...
not
You're looking to become a Direct copycat
YOU'RE NOT WILLING TO try new things
YOU'RE Stuck on ONe way of doing things
"I’ve been in business almost 10 years and it’s amazing how much I still learn from these retreats.
From posing tips to editing styles and everything in between."
— Amy, Repeat Retreater
Feel more confident and inspired in your work.
Discover new techniques to elevate your art.
Understand how to take your images from good to 'wow'
Learn ways to speed up your session workflow.
Yes - sign me up! →
Hi! I'm Lisa. Fellow photographer and lifelong learner.
When I first got started, I wanted to learn from others but couldn't travel to in-person events.
Plus...I found my brain could only absorb so much info before what I'm learning goes in one ear and out the other.
Can you relate?
That's why I created our online retreats, where you can learn on YOUR schedule - all from the comfort of home - from an ah-mazing group of world-class instructors.
Join thousands of photographers who’ve found renewed confidence through our retreats.
21 instructors. 21 unique perspectives. Endless inspiration.
You *could* pay a similar price for just ONE in-depth lesson …
Or, you can enjoy 21 ah-mazing classes that you can
revisit time & again as you need it in your business!
And with such a wide variety of talent joining us this year to teach, we don’t just get to witness how one person works; we get to see the process from a variety of different photographers.
Because there isn't just ONE way to do things (and for that I'm grateful!)
Mastering your craft and elevating your art
Staying on top of current trends and pushing your artistic edge
Attracting your dream clients and sessions that truly light you up.
Streamlining your session workflow to free up time and ensure a consistent experience for clients
Playing around with creative set design and new editing techniques to fuel your artistic vision
Feeling inspired and excited to pick up your camera
Enroll now→
Do I HAVE to be online at a certain time?
No. Once videos are released Jan 29th, 2026, you have lifetime access (plus you can download them to watch on the go!)
Can I download the videos?
Yes! Once your retreat experience has been paid in full (for those on the payment plan), you can download the videos so you have them for life. You'll also enjoy lifetime access to the videos on our member site.
Have another question? Email us at lisa@themilkyway.ca
*Is there a Facebook community for the retreat?
We'll be hosting a bonus Facebook group. Please note, this pop-up community is a bonus - not a paid part of the Newborn Retreat experience. To participate, there is a set of community guidelines to follow (basically - be awesome!), but those who are not awesome, will be asked to leave. Teachers threads will be open for 3 weeks when the retreat gets underway Jan 29th, 2026. The group will be archived before the 2027 retreat gets underway.
Does this have captions? And/or subtitles?
Videos will have English captions.
How long are the videos?
Teacher videos will range from 30-60 minutes. Some will be video footage of the instructor in action showing specific posing and lighting techniques, while other topics will be presented in a slideshow or screen share format.
Is this professionally filmed?
Nope! In fact, each presenter will be creating/filming their own presentation which might be a slideshow presentation, a video of them in their office, studio or on location showing you a session, or a screen share where you can watch them edit.
How does the payment plan work?
If you opt for the payment plan, your first payment comes out at registration with following payments coming out automatically every 30 days. (using the same payment method as you used at sign-up).
You will have access to the retreat experience as soon as it's released - however, the download links will not be activated until the final payment has been made.
Do you have a money-back guarantee?
Tickets are non-refundable. Just like an in-person conference, you go in knowing there are some sessions you are going to love and some that might not feel applicable to you. At the end of the day, you need to decide what you are looking for and if the sessions described fit what you need! You will have access to the retreat experience right away - however, the download links will not be activated until the final payment has been made.
Is there tax added?
If you have the good fortune of living in Canada, then yes, there will be GST and/or HST charged. If your business is registered, it is more of a 'paper shuffle' with the CRA vs added cost. If you don't have a business tax ID, we know tax can seem like a bummer, but think of all the wonderful things it provides....free healthcare tops our list!
Enroll now→