I used to think a boudoir session was something you did in a studio. A few hours, a curated playlist, some gorgeous lighting, and you’re done. And that works, it really does. But a few years ago, I tried something different. I invited a small group of women to join me for a week-long retreat in Scotland. No rush. No clock watching. Just space to breathe, connect, and be photographed on their own terms.
I haven’t looked back since and here’s why.
1. The studio is comfortable, a retreat is transformative
In a studio, you walk in, we shoot, you leave. It’s efficient, and I can get you stunning images. But on retreat, something shifts. You arrive the night before, settle into your room, have dinner with the other women, and wake up already feeling at home. By the time we pick up cameras, the armor is already off. You’re not preparing to feel confident, you already do.
2. You get to see yourself through other women’s eyes
One of the most beautiful things that happens on retreat is the way the group lifts each other up. One woman will get her hair and makeup done, walk into the room, and the others will genuinely gasp. They’ll tell her she looks incredible, and she believes them in a way that’s harder to believe from a photographer alone. That peer energy is something I can’t manufacture in a studio. It’s real, and it’s powerful.
3. We have time to play
On retreat, there’s no back-to-back client schedule. If you want to try a pose we’ve never done, we have time. If the light is perfect after dinner and you want to grab your camera and shoot by candlelight, we do that. Some of my favorite images from this year came from unplanned moments, laughing in a hammock, dancing in the kitchen while someone made coffee, a quiet portrait by an open window at golden hour. Those moments don’t happen when you’re watching the clock.
4. You meet women who get it
Every retreat I’ve hosted has produced friendships that last long after the weekend ends. There’s something about being vulnerable together, in front of the camera, over a shared meal, during a late-night conversation on the porch, that bonds people fast. The women who come are often at different stages of life, but they share a common thread: they’re ready to be seen. And they leave having seen each other, too.
5. You get more than photos, you get a reset
Here’s what I hear most often after a retreat: “I didn’t know I needed that.” Women arrive tired, stretched thin, carrying the weight of jobs, families, self-doubt. They leave with a camera roll full of images they love, but also with a quieter mind, a fuller heart, and a sense of having reconnected with themselves. The photos are the tangible outcome. The feeling is the real gift.
6. It’s a safe way to try something bold
For women who’ve never done boudoir, a retreat can feel less intimidating than a one-on-one session. You’re not walking into a strange studio alone. You’re arriving at a house or villa with a group of women who are all in the same boat. There’s solidarity in that. I’ve had women tell me they almost backed out of their solo session, but the retreat format made them feel brave enough to say yes.
7. I get to know you, and it shows in your photos
When I shoot a retreat client, I’ve usually spent two days with her by the time we shoot. I know what makes her laugh, what songs make her melt, what story she’s trying to tell with this experience. That connection shows up in every frame. The photos aren’t just technically good, they’re hers.
So why do I take my boudoir clients on retreat? Because a retreat doesn’t just give you beautiful photos. It gives you a weekend of being the center of your own life, with a group of women cheering you on, a photographer who sees you, and a version of yourself you might have forgotten was there.
I’d love to have you at the next one.
