Mountain Muse: Queenstown, NZ

9th – 12th February 2027

Welcome to The Mountain Muse Retreat. A modern wedding photography experience filled with content shoots, lessons and adventure.

Join this incredible photography retreat in one of the world’s most stunning locations, Queenstown New Zealand!
A small group experience, this experience blends education, creativity and community.

Capture amazing portfolio shots with hands-on wedding, fashion and portrait sessions styled by top professionals. Add the incredible helicopter mountain shoot to photograph a wedding fashion shoot atop Queenstown’s majestic peaks.

Learn from expert hosts and three guest speakers in sessions focused on techniques, creativity, and business growth. Connect with like-minded photographers, build lasting friendships, and leave inspired to take your skills to the next level.
Spaces are limited—don’t miss this unique opportunity!

The workshop is open to digital and film photographers, content creators as well as videographers.

An incredible retreat for remarkable photographers who want to take their business to the next level.

The Details

This retreat is designed for wedding, fashion and portrait photographers in their first five years of business who are ready to take their craft and career to the next level. It’s perfect for those who want to grow their business, elevate their wedding photography portfolio with stunning new imagery and find fresh inspiration through collaboration and connection with other like-minded creatives.

Whether you’re seeking guidance to refine your style, build your brand, or expand your network, this retreat offers the tools, experiences, and supportive community to help you thrive as a wedding photographer.

3 Days / 3 Nights shared Lake Hayes accommodation
1 x Wedding and fashion Content Shoot (Tuesday)
1 x Portrait Session Content Shoot (Thursday)
1 x Mountain Heli-shoot (optional extra) (Wednesday/Thursday -weather pending)
Over 6 interactive education sessions run by the hosts Shae Estella and Tom Judson
2 x Guest Speakers
2 x Dinners in house, Breakfast and lunches provided.
Goodie bags
16 Participants only – a small group experience
Lifetime of memories

Your Hosts

Tom Judson & Shae Estella

YOUR HOSTS

Tom Judson & Shae Estella

This exclusive New Zealand wedding photography retreat is led by two industry experts, Tom Judson and Shae Estella, who bring a wealth of experience and inspiration to the workshop.

Shae Estella is a wedding and fashion photographer celebrated for her ability to capture natural, emotive moments. Shae is equally passionate about helping photographers elevate their businesses, offering practical advice and inspiration to take their craft and branding to the next level. Her unique perspective and commitment to fostering growth make her an invaluable mentor for photographers at any stage of their career.

Tom Judson is an accomplished wedding photographer with years of experience capturing love stories in breathtaking settings. Known for his approachable teaching style, Tom is passionate about sharing his extensive knowledge of the wedding photography industry. His goal is to equip photographers with the tools and insights needed to thrive in this ever-evolving field.

Your Hosts

Tom Judson & Shae Estella

This exclusive New Zealand wedding photography retreat is led by two industry experts, Tom Judson and Shae Estella, who bring a wealth of experience and inspiration to the workshop.

Shae Estella is a wedding photographer celebrated for her ability to capture natural, emotive moments. Shae has been photographing weddings for over 14 years both locally in Australia and Internationally. She is a official Sony Scene Advocate and is regularly invited to represent Sony for conferences and educational workshops.

Shae is equally passionate about helping photographers elevate their businesses, offering practical advice and inspiration to take their craft and branding to the next level. Her unique perspective and commitment to fostering growth make her an invaluable mentor for photographers at any stage of their career.

Tom Judson is a distinguished and experienced Australia-based wedding photographer with a knack for capturing authentic, heartfelt moments as well as turning water, into wine.

He has a special talent for working with couples who feel awkward in front of the camera, helping them relax, have fun, and forget they’re being photographed. Tom’s approach is all about embracing the natural flow of the day—weddings aren’t photoshoots, after all. Instead of interfering or staging every moment, he focuses on preserving the real beauty and joy as it unfolds, making his style “Less Posey / More Party.”

Beyond photography, Tom is deeply passionate about mentoring fellow photographers. Known for his approachable teaching style, he loves helping others refine their skills and create meaningful work in this dynamic industry.

01. THE RETREAT

LAKE HAYES MANSION

This luxurious three-story home near Queenstown combines elegant style with stunning views of Lake Hayes and the mountains. It offers both privacy and inspiration.

The bright bedrooms have private bathrooms and are set up for twin-share, with up to three single beds per room. Couples can request a queen bed. Rooms are arranged for your comfort.

More than a place to stay, this property is a peaceful retreat to spark creativity and make your experience unforgettable.

02. EDUCATION

IN HOUSE + 2 GUEST SPEAKERS

The retreat’s educational sessions, led by expert hosts and guest speakers, will teach you new techniques, creative ideas, and branding tips to help grow your photography business and stand out from the crowd.
Whether you’re new to photography or want to improve your skills, this retreat gives you the tools, guidance, and inspiration to take your career to the next level. You’ll also get to meet other photographers, share ideas, and create exciting new opportunities together. By the end, you’ll feel confident, inspired, and ready to take on new challenges as a wedding and portrait photographer.

03. EPIC SHOOTS

BUILD YOUR PORTFOLIO

During the retreat, you’ll take part in hands-on wedding and portrait shoots styled by top professionals, including a session at a stunning Queenstown wedding venue and a dramatic mountain backdrop portrait session.

For an unforgettable experience, opt for the helicopter mountain elopement photoshoot. This thrilling adventure takes you to a breathtaking mountaintop location to capture stunning elopement-style imagery, perfect for elevating your portfolio and attracting adventurous couples. Don’t miss this chance to add beauty, creativity, and excitement to your work!

04. NETWORK & RELAX

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

The Mountain Muse Retreat is more than a workshop—it’s an opportunity to connect with like-minded creatives in an intimate, welcoming setting. Share meaningful moments with photographers from around the world over breakfasts, late-night chats, and collaborative content creation sessions designed to inspire and elevate your brand.

With Queenstown’s stunning beauty as your backdrop, this retreat encourages you to relax, recharge, and treat it as a holiday for your business brain. From our lively after-party to breathtaking views, it’s the perfect balance of growth, creativity, and rejuvenation.

BOOK NOW

Important Details & FAQ

This retreat is designed for portrait, fashion and wedding photographers in their first five years of business who are ready to take their craft and career to the next level. It’s perfect for those who want to grow their business, elevate their wedding photography portfolio with stunning new imagery, and find fresh inspiration through collaboration and connection with other like-minded creatives.

• 3-Day Retreat: Kicking off in the afternoon on Tuesday 9th February , 2027 and wrapping up at 9:00 AM on Friday the 12th of February, 2027.

• Educational Sessions: Enjoy 6+ in-depth sessions led by your expert hosts and inspiring guest speakers, designed to elevate your skills and business strategies.

• Photography Content Sessions: Participate in 3 photoshoots including portrait, wedding, and fashion photography, to build your portfolio and expand your creative techniques.

• Optional Heli-Shoot Add-On: Take your portfolio to new heights with an optional helicopter mountain shoot featuring a real wedding couple.

• Accommodation: Relax in shared rooms for 3 nights. Three people allocated per room in single beds. Consideration will be given to make sure everyone is comfortable. Should you be attending with a friend, please let us know.

• Meals: Enjoy a welcome BBQ dinner, daily breakfasts, 2 lunches, and a 2nd night group dinner. Other meals not specified will be at participants’ expense, including dinner during the final night wrap-up party in Queenstown (dinner is optional and can be purchased separately).

• Exclusive Perks: Receive a Swag Bag packed with goodies, form lifelong friendships, and leave with renewed inspiration for your photography business and creative journey.

Transport to the Mountain Muse Retreat Accommodation: This includes flights, car hire, or any public transport to Queenstown. We highly encourage carpooling, and we’re happy to assist in connecting attendees to help organize shared transport arrangements.

• Travel Insurance for individuals. We recommend you take out full comprehensive insurance for your trip.

• Personal Snacks and Drinks: While some meals are included, we recommend bringing your own favorite snacks and beverages to enjoy between sessions and during downtime.

• Photography Equipment: Be sure to bring your own gear! (See our suggested packing list below for recommendations on what to bring for the best experience.)

Our retreats are intentionally limited to just 12 participants staying in house and 4 additional staying offsite to ensure an intimate and exclusive experience. This small group setting allows for personalized attention, meaningful connections, and exceptional results – both creatively and professionally. You’ll leave with incredible content, impactful photography, and valuable new insights.

Accommodation is designed with comfort in mind, featuring single beds (3 per room) with ensuites. Couples can request a queen bed; however, rooms may still accommodate up to 3 people. This setup fosters a cozy and collaborative environment, perfect for connecting with like-minded creatives.
Roomie preferences will be taken into account when allocation but cannot be guaranteed due to numbers.

Shae and Tom have partnered with a renowned Heliworks Queenstown = to offer an unforgettable mountain top content shoot. This exclusive experience allows you to capture breathtaking imagery in a dramatic alpine setting, perfect for elevating your portfolio and attracting destination wedding clients to your business.

The safety of passengers is the top priority, and flights are subject to weather conditions in accordance with standard helicopter protocols. To ensure the best possible experience, two days have been allocated for this opportunity, with the final shoot scheduled for the day with the most favorable weather. Participants will be kept informed throughout the process. Overall weight restrictions are in place for helicopter flights and on arrival you will be asked to inform of your weight in KG for the helicopter company.

In the unlikely event that weather conditions make flying impossible, participants who sign up for this experience will receive a store credit with the helicopter company (for the participant to use at another date), ensuring the value of their investment is preserved.

1. Photography Gear:

• Your camera(s) and lenses (recommended: prime lenses, wide-angle, and telephoto for versatility)

• Backup camera body (if you have one)

• Memory cards (multiple, with ample storage capacity)

• Extra camera batteries and chargers

• Lens cleaning kit

• Flash and/or lighting equipment (if you use them)

2. Laptop and Accessories:

• A laptop with editing software installed (e.g., Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop)

• External hard drive or SSD for photo backups

• Chargers and adapters (New Zealand uses Type I plugs)

3. Personal Items:

• Comfortable clothing suitable for both indoor sessions and outdoor shoots

• Layers and weather-appropriate attire (Queenstown weather can be unpredictable)

• Sturdy shoes for outdoor photography locations

• A “going out” outfit for our wrap up party night in Queenstown

• Refillable water bottle

4. Snacks and Beverages:

• Your favorite snacks for between sessions

• Any preferred drinks (tea, coffee, or alcohol if desired)

5. Miscellaneous:

• Notebook and pen for taking notes during educational sessions

• Personal toiletries and medications

• Travel insurance documents (recommended)

• A sense of adventure and a creative spirit!

By being well-prepared, you’ll ensure a smooth and enjoyable retreat experience while maximizing your opportunities to learn, connect, and create!

To secure your spot at the Mountain Muse Retreat, a $600 retainer in AUD is required at the time of booking.

Once the retainer payment has been received, participants will have the option of a payment plan.

If you choose to participate in the optional helicopter mountain elopement content shoot, final confirmation and payment of $590 AUD for this exciting add-on will be due by January 7th, 2027..

The remaining balance for your retreat booking must be paid in full by 7th January, 2027.

Secure your place early to ensure you don’t miss this incredible experience!

If you’ve paid the deposit or full amount but need to cancel, we regret that we are unable to offer a refund. However, your ticket is fully transferable, meaning you can arrange for someone else to attend in your place.

The workshop requires a minimum of 8 tickets sold to proceed. While we fully expect this retreat to sell out quickly, in the unlikely event that the minimum number is not reached, participants will receive a full refund of their ticket balance of the Mountain Muse Retreat (please note, external costs such as flights or accommodation outside of the retreat are not included in the refund).

Rest assured, we’ll keep you updated every step of the way!

RETREAT PRICING

Retreat + Heli Shoot*

AUD $4280

+GST

Secure with a $600 AUD Deposit

3 Nights twin share accommodation in our Queenstown Retreat House
3 days of educational masterclasses with your hosts and guest speakers
Wedding and fashion shoot on location
Couples Content Shoot
Welcome BBQ Dinner, Breakfasts, Snacks & Catering
Heli/Mountain Top Shoot*

Retreat Only

AUD $3690

+GST

Secure with a $600 AUD Deposit

3 Nights twin share accommodation in our Queenstown Retreat house
3 days of educational masterclasses with your hosts and guest speakers
Wedding Portrait and fashion shoot on location
Couples Content Session
Branding Photo Session
Welcome BBQ Dinner, Breakfasts, Snacks & Catering

SECURE YOUR SPOT TODAY!

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Meet Shae Estella

The Artful Muse, founded by Sony Alpha Advocate Shae Estella, was born from a deep passion for empowering photographers. It aims to help them refine their craft, grow their businesses, and connect with fellow creatives to build thriving, supportive communities.

SHAE ESTELLA PHOTO

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