There’s something unmistakably magical about Eureka Springs in the fall. The air turns crisp, the hillsides glow gold, and the town’s eclectic charm feels even more alive. This year’s Fall For Eureka retreat captured that magic in every possible way—from long-exposure light trails to early-morning wildlife and everything in between.
✨ Day 1: Blue Springs & Bright Lights
We kicked things off on Friday afternoon with a peaceful golden hour stroll through Blue Spring Heritage Center. The gardens were lit with late-season color, and the spring itself shimmered with that perfect pre-dusk glow. It was the ideal warm-up for a creative weekend ahead.
Once the sun dipped, we shifted gears—literally and artistically—by heading first to the Beaver Bridge for sunset, and then downtown for long-exposure car trails. Eureka’s winding streets and vintage architecture created the perfect canvas as we captured ribbons of light weaving through the curves of town. It was a beautiful blend of chaos, color, and control, and everyone settled into the rhythm of night photography quickly.
🌅 Day 2: Sunrise Calm & Small-Town Stories
Saturday began at Lake Leatherwood, where reflections danced across the water just as the first light broke over the treeline. With light fog lifting and the lake slowly waking up, it was one of those serene mornings that makes you fall in love with photography all over again.
From there, we enjoyed breakfast at a favorite local spot before diving into a downtown street-photography walkabout. The blend of quirky storefronts, textures, bold color, and friendly faces made it the perfect playground for spotting stories in the everyday.
As golden hour approached, we made our way to the East Mountain Gazebo for sunset. The sweeping views of Eureka Springs, framed by glowing foliage, created a picture-perfect end to the daylight hours.
But our day wasn’t done yet! After dark, we explored more nighttime creativity with long-exposure zoom pulls under the old neon lights—a fun, experimental session that pushed everyone’s creativity in a whole new direction.
🐾 Day 3: Wild Hearts & Final Touches
Sunday morning brought one of the most special experiences of the retreat: an exclusive pre-opening walk at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. With the refuge quiet and the animals just beginning to stir, we had rare opportunities to photograph big cats and residents of the sanctuary in peaceful, natural moments.
We then enjoyed breakfast together before wrapping up the weekend with a Luminar editing course, diving into techniques to elevate the images captured throughout the retreat. By the time we said our goodbyes, memory cards were full—but hearts were even fuller.
This year’s Fall For Eureka was the perfect mix of adventure, creativity, and community. Each participant brought their own spark to the group, making for an unforgettable weekend in one of Arkansas’s most charming towns.