
Today, we’re featuring a wonderful collection of images from last fall’s Artists’ Point Retreat. Artists’ Point Retreat is a weekend getaway for photographers to recharge, connect, and be inspired. Perfect for anyone who feels like they need a little creative reboot.
Artists’ Point Retreat is hosted by SIWF contributor Amy Elizabeth and Sara Johansen, and Shoot It With Film is so thrilled to be one of APRs sponsor and supporters.
Here is more about Artists’ Point Retreat and how it came to be…
Amy Elizabeth and Sara Johansen met on the internet. Yup, it’s as cliché as it sounds, but it’s true. Through the film photography community, they met on Instagram, but soon after they met in real life (what luck that they only lived an hour apart!) and quickly became friends, bonding over their mutual love for the North Shore of Lake Superior in northern Minnesota.
For years, they said how they should host a group of photographers up there to bask in the beauty of the landscape, but it always was put on the backburner. You know how life gets. Then came 2020. We all know what happened, and it was in the fall of 2020 that they knew now was the time. A retreat to bring together photographers in need of creative renewal, connection with other photographers, and the icing on the cake would be the incredible allure of the North Shore. Artists’ Point Retreat was born.
Flash forward to fall 2021, and Artists’ Point Retreat officially convened in Grand Marais, Minn., with five attendees along with Amy and Sara. There was photography, but there was also food, laughter, and fellowship. A group of photographers all needing a moment to get away and truly, just shoot.
If you have interest in upcoming Artists’ Point Retreat dates please visit here.
Scroll below to see images from the retreat and to read more about the experience from the attendees.




From Sonia: My time spent with the wonderful Amy and Sara at Artist Point Retreat will always be treasured. It was a time much needed, to get away, clear my head, and refocus my creative mindset.
The background was beautiful. There’s something about the water there, the nature surrounding us everywhere. The accommodations were lovely, very convenient, close to restaurants and shops. Amy and Sara were an open book with any questions we had. The other participants were wonderful, and I’m glad to finally have met them.




From Cami: At this point in my creative journey, all I really want out of a retreat is new places and faces to shoot, creative energy and collaboration with other artists, and someone to feed me and drive me around so I don’t have to do anything but pick up a camera. Is that too much to ask?
Apparently not! Because that’s exactly what I got at Artists’ Point Retreat. What a refreshing and energizing experience to be around like minded creators in a breathtaking location. I highly recommend it, and will attend again!




From Jen: If you are in a creative hamster wheel, or photography funk, Artists’ Point Retreat is the perfect antidote to get away, slow down, and be inspired.


You can find out more about Artists’ Point Retreat and hop on the waitlist here!

Blog Comments
Tommy Mayhew
June 18, 2022 at 9:28 pm
Oh man! As a fellow Minnesotan, I can’t think of a better place to rest and shoot film than the North Shore! Such a fun article. Thanks for sharing!