Stories of the west: oregon Edition
Date spring 2026 TBD | Location: prineville, Oregon
Hosted by:
kenzie Holmberg | BonaFide Cowboy Media + productions
Ellen Morningstar | morningstar film co.
Cass smith | Flying aj photography
Hosted by:
kenzie Holmberg | BonaFide Cowboy Media + productions
Ellen Morningstar | morningstar film co.
Cass smith | Flying aj photography
Build a Brand with Backbone. Create Work that Lasts.
You don’t need another styled shoot or to keep throwing darts at the wall hoping something sticks.
You’re talented — and you know it. But the constant grind, the underpaid gigs, and the “just say yes” mentality have left you drained. You’ve done the work. You’ve put in the hours. You’ve built a name — but not the kind of business that gives you freedom. You’re still hustling for exposure, taking projects that don’t align, and wondering when the work will finally feel worth it. It’s time to stop saying yes out of fear and start building from conviction. This isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing it right. About cutting the noise, raising the bar, and building something that finally reflects who you are — and what your work deserves.
You don’t need another styled shoot or to keep throwing darts at the wall hoping something sticks.
You’re talented — and you know it. But the constant grind, the underpaid gigs, and the “just say yes” mentality have left you drained. You’ve done the work. You’ve put in the hours. You’ve built a name — but not the kind of business that gives you freedom. You’re still hustling for exposure, taking projects that don’t align, and wondering when the work will finally feel worth it. It’s time to stop saying yes out of fear and start building from conviction. This isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing it right. About cutting the noise, raising the bar, and building something that finally reflects who you are — and what your work deserves.
Let’s Be Real
You’re not new to this. You’re smart. You know better than to chase trends or work for “exposure.” But somewhere along the way, the constant grind started to drown out your gut. You’ve been saying yes to too much — the low-paying gigs, the clients who don’t get it, the projects that look good on paper but don’t feel right anymore. You’ve built experience, but it’s left you exhausted, not fulfilled. You’re ready for more — not more work, but more meaning. More intention. More control. More honesty in what you create and how you run your business. You’re ready to stand out — not as just another photographer, but as a recognizable brand that’s unmistakably you. The kind of brand that doesn’t compete — because it can’t be copied.
This retreat is for the ones who know better — and are finally ready to do better.
You’re not new to this. You’re smart. You know better than to chase trends or work for “exposure.” But somewhere along the way, the constant grind started to drown out your gut. You’ve been saying yes to too much — the low-paying gigs, the clients who don’t get it, the projects that look good on paper but don’t feel right anymore. You’ve built experience, but it’s left you exhausted, not fulfilled. You’re ready for more — not more work, but more meaning. More intention. More control. More honesty in what you create and how you run your business. You’re ready to stand out — not as just another photographer, but as a recognizable brand that’s unmistakably you. The kind of brand that doesn’t compete — because it can’t be copied.
This retreat is for the ones who know better — and are finally ready to do better.
The Hard Truth
Most creatives say they want to grow — but few are willing to face what’s actually holding them back. Growth requires honesty — about your habits, your mindset, and the patterns that keep you spinning your wheels. It means letting go of what feels safe but isn’t serving you anymore.It means trusting your gut again, even when it’s uncomfortable. This retreat acknowledges the real stuff — the emotions, the burnout, the self-doubt — because all of it plays a role in how you create and how you run your business. We’ll help you face it head-on, get clear on what actually matters, and rebuild from a place of confidence and conviction. If you’re ready to build a business that feels as real as the stories you tell, welcome to Stories of the West.
Most creatives say they want to grow — but few are willing to face what’s actually holding them back. Growth requires honesty — about your habits, your mindset, and the patterns that keep you spinning your wheels. It means letting go of what feels safe but isn’t serving you anymore.It means trusting your gut again, even when it’s uncomfortable. This retreat acknowledges the real stuff — the emotions, the burnout, the self-doubt — because all of it plays a role in how you create and how you run your business. We’ll help you face it head-on, get clear on what actually matters, and rebuild from a place of confidence and conviction. If you’re ready to build a business that feels as real as the stories you tell, welcome to Stories of the West.
Our Approach
This isn’t a cheesy handout or a one-size-fits-all strategy. It’s not surface-level advice or another checklist you’ll forget next week. This is about finding your clarity — the kind that comes from getting brutally honest about what you want, what you’re great at, and what’s been holding you back. We’re not here to tell you how to shoot or edit. We’re here to help you dig into the guts of your business — to face the hard stuff, the fears, and the patterns that keep you small. We don’t chase trends here — we create them. Because authenticity doesn’t follow; it leads. This is about finding your voice, owning your worth, and building a business that finally feels like you.
This isn’t a cheesy handout or a one-size-fits-all strategy. It’s not surface-level advice or another checklist you’ll forget next week. This is about finding your clarity — the kind that comes from getting brutally honest about what you want, what you’re great at, and what’s been holding you back. We’re not here to tell you how to shoot or edit. We’re here to help you dig into the guts of your business — to face the hard stuff, the fears, and the patterns that keep you small. We don’t chase trends here — we create them. Because authenticity doesn’t follow; it leads. This is about finding your voice, owning your worth, and building a business that finally feels like you.
Meet your hosts
Kenzie Holmberg
Founder of BonaFide Cowboy, Kenzie built a commercial creative brand from the ground up in Wyoming. She’s worked with brands like Pendleton Whisky, Cinch, Schaeffer, and Chancey Williams — filming 5 music videos within the last year. her brand proves authentically western visuals are relevant in today's industry. |
Ellen Morningstar
Filmmaker and brand strategist behind Morningstar Films, Ellen helps creatives uncover who they are and build businesses that reflect it. Known for her wild + western filmmaking, her work is raw, emotional, and deeply human — proof that cinematic storytelling is still effective in marketing. |
Cass Smith
Western photographer and storyteller who pairs artistry with authenticity. Cass helps creatives refine their story, develop their unique identity, and create work that can’t be duplicated. Her images capture the real and the raw cowboy lifestyle — honestly, unpolished, and full of soul. |
Together, they built Stories of the West as a no-bullshit space for creatives who want to stop spinning their wheels and finally build something that lasts.
Why It’s Different
Most workshops teach you how to make content. This retreat teaches you how to make a living.
You’ll walk away with:
It’s not about doing more — it’s about doing it better, with intention and impact.
Most workshops teach you how to make content. This retreat teaches you how to make a living.
You’ll walk away with:
- Brand clarity and direction that finally make sense
- Systems that create freedom instead of burnout
- A clear pricing and client strategy that earns what you’re worth
- A grounded sense of confidence in who you are and what you offer
It’s not about doing more — it’s about doing it better, with intention and impact.
The Experience
Set against Oregon’s rugged ranch country, Stories of the West is equal parts business reset and creative revival. You’ll shoot, you’ll learn, you’ll laugh, you’ll probably cry — but mostly, you’ll walk away clear, confident, and grounded in who you are and where you’re headed.
Every moment here is real. Every story is lived. And every person who leaves, does so changed — because they finally stopped chasing and started building.
Set against Oregon’s rugged ranch country, Stories of the West is equal parts business reset and creative revival. You’ll shoot, you’ll learn, you’ll laugh, you’ll probably cry — but mostly, you’ll walk away clear, confident, and grounded in who you are and where you’re headed.
Every moment here is real. Every story is lived. And every person who leaves, does so changed — because they finally stopped chasing and started building.
Investment
This retreat isn’t cheap — and it shouldn’t be.
If you’re looking for another quick fix, this isn’t it.
But if you’re ready to build a career that feels aligned, profitable, and authentic to you — this is the one that will change everything.
Because this isn’t just about your business. It’s about you — finally stepping into who you were meant to be.
six spots available. Join the waitlist.
This retreat isn’t cheap — and it shouldn’t be.
If you’re looking for another quick fix, this isn’t it.
But if you’re ready to build a career that feels aligned, profitable, and authentic to you — this is the one that will change everything.
Because this isn’t just about your business. It’s about you — finally stepping into who you were meant to be.
six spots available. Join the waitlist.
