The Intangibles
A Creative Retreat at The Lodge at Bow Lake
Icefields Parkway, Banff National Park, Canada
May 26-30, 2025
Join us for 5 days of exclusive access to the newly renovated Lodge at Bow Lake — our home base to explore the artistry of photography. This historic log cabin, located right on the shores of one of Banff’s most beautiful lakes, is the perfect place to dive deeper into yourself and tap your own creative flow.
This workshop is suitable for all levels of photography.
~ 12 spots only ~
$5,450 CAD + GST | ~ $3,950 USD
installment plan available; see below
Go beyond the technical to find
your artistry.
Late May is an exciting time of transition at the higher elevations in Banff National Park, where we’ll be situated for this workshop. Paul should know; The Lodge at Bow Lake was once his home when he first arrived in the mountains. Take it from a guy who has lived there for 1,000 days: it’s truly the most remarkable car-access location in Banff National Park. It’s also a dream location for a retreat-style workshop that will help photographers grow as artists.
With the support of our mentors, and each other, we’ll work toward executing a vision and expanding our creative horizons. With each passing day, we’ll build upon concepts and call on ourselves to photograph with intention. Staying right on the Icefields Parkway will also provide quick access to some of the region’s most coveted locations, such as Peyto Lake and Mistaya Canyon.
The Intangibles will be an opportunity to challenge yourself. But what would a retreat be without time to unwind, reflect and curl up by the fire? With the restorative environment of the lodge entirely to ourselves, we’ll have the space to refuel in whatever way suits us best.
Here are the themes we’ll be exploring, as we go beyond gear and technique to tackle the elements that really catapult us forward and help us grow on our artistic journey:
The Intangibles
Intangible #1
Seeing the Opportunities: The Art of Noticing
Intangible #2
Working with Intention: The Importance of Purpose
Intangible #3
Developing Your Unique Vision: Tapping the Creative Flow
The point is: there is so much more to photography than mastering your settings, composition and post-processing skills. All those things are important, and we’ll be happy to answer questions about those topics during the retreat. But this experience is meant to take you deeper, into your motivations, your unique outlook, and the message you’re trying to convey through your work.
This workshop is suitable for all levels of photography.
Tap into your own creative flow.
Retreat Includes
daily instruction, mentoring and 1:1 guidance from Paul Zizka with the assistance of Stasia Schmidt
4 nights, all-inclusive stay in a private lodge room at The Lodge at Bow Lake
~ Private room
~ 250-300 sq ft of living space
~ Queen-sized bed
~ Spacious ensuite bathroom
~ Luxurious, cozy bedding
meals include:
~ unique daily creations for breakfast
~ lunch/packed lunches
~ a daily dinner menu, created by the talented team led by Head Chef Chris Parnell
You’ll Take Care Of
transportation to and during the retreat
National Park Pass
alcoholic drinks
travel insurance
Our Itinerary
Itinerary is subject to change.
Check-in May 26, 2025 @ 3 PM | Check-out May 30, 2025 @ 10 AM
Sample Daily Itinerary
5:30 to 7:30am - Waking with Mother Nature and getting the creative juices flowing (optional)
8 AM- Breakfast
9 to 10:30 AM - Introduction of the theme for the day and lecture
10:30 AM to 12 PM - Field exercise
Noon to 1 PM - Group lunch
1 to 2 PM - Culling and editing session
2 to 3:30 PM - Critique and group discussion
3:30 to 5:00 PM - Free time
5:00 to 7:00 PM - Third field excursion
7 to 8:30 PM - Group dinner
8:30 PM + - Potential get-together or astro session
About the Lodge at Bow Lake
Standing under the watching eyes of Crowfoot Mountain since 1922, the Lodge at Bow Lake (formerly Num-Ti-Jah Lodge) was built by famed Rockies outfitter and guide, Jimmy Simpson. It is located just one hour from Banff, 2.5 hours from Calgary, making it easily accessible for international guests flying into Calgary International Airport. Though it closed during the pandemic, the lodge has new ownership that has invested in restoring the property and adding some modern amenities to its historic charm. We’re confident you’ll be blown away bt its location on the world-famous Icefields Parkway, and the ease of access we’ll have to the inspiring landscapes this region is best known for.
The Lodge at Bow Lake is a respite from our fast-paced, hyperconnected world. There are no telephones, TVs or WiFi. But you might just find the breathtaking nature and human-to-human conversations are a far superior replacement.
Our Team
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Paul Zizka
LEAD INSTRUCTOR
Paul Zizka is a Banff-based professional mountain landscape and adventure photographer and a sought-after photo educator. Whether it’s wading waist-deep into a glacier-fed lake or chasing auroras from dusk til dawn, Paul is known for an adventurous spirit that draws him to the extraordinary. In addition to eight published books, Paul’s award-winning photos have also been featured in a variety of publications, including Maclean’s, National Geographic Adventure, Huffington Post, and Canadian Geographic. [Photo: Trixie Pacis]
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Stasia Schmidt
ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR + LOGISTICS
Stasia Schmidt is an acclaimed fine art photographer known for her keen eye for simplicity and form, as well as her meticulous attention to detail. As a self-taught artist, Stasia taps into a deep well of inspiration, drawing from her love of music, dance, science fiction, and adventure. Her award-winning project, “Ephemerality” is a testament to her ability to confront societal norms, prompting viewers to reconsider preconceived notions and perspectives. When not shooting, Stasia can be found writing, reading, raising teenagers, adventuring, and laughing loudly at inappropriate jokes. [Photo: Curtis Jones]
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Meghan J. Ward
MARKETING + LOGISTICS
A writer and creative entrepreneur based in Banff, Meghan takes time on the side to flex her sales and marketing skills for Paul Zizka Photography. She’s the ‘other half’ to Paul in numerous ways: as his wife, fellow adventurer and business partner. At Paul Zizka Photography she manages everything from brand to website, photo licensing, corporate sales and workshop logistics. She is the author of several books including a children’s book, The Wonders That I Find and a travel memoir, Lights to Guide Me Home. [Photo: Paul Zizka]
Retreat Dates:
May 26-30, 2025
Investment:
$5,450 CAD + GST | ~ $3,950 USD
Installment option: Deposit upon registration of $1,500 CAD + GST with the final balance due January 15, 2025. Please contact us to arrange an alternative installment option.
Spousal Rate (non-participant): $1,200 + GST
Please email us at workshops@zizka.ca to add a spouse.
Cancellation:
*Deposits and installments are non-refundable, unless you are able to sell your spot. In this case, we can provide a refund minus a $250 administration fee.
This retreat requires a minimum of 8 participants to run.
