This last September we hosted our 3rd photography and videography retreat, this time on the Big Island of Hawaii! It was so fun to finally do one on our home turf! It went above and beyond what we could have hoped for!! It makes my heart burst how this lil online community can bring together a group of 17 strangers from all over the country/ world! We stayed at a beautiful home in Kona looking over the ocean, learned so much about photography/videography, had the time of our lives adventuring around the island, and left as a group of new best friends!!
DAY 1- On the first day, we picked everyone up from the airport and brought them to the house. Once everyone had a chance to settle in, we did introductions and got to learn a little about everyone that came of the retreat. Each person told us a little about what they are currently doing, some of their passions, and what brought them on the retreat! After introductions, we drove to the Magics Beach Grill where everyone got some dinner before heading off to bed. Since some people had been traveling the entire day to arrive to the island, some people were pretty ready to get some good sleep! :)
DAY 2- After everyone got breakfast, Josh and I taught our first class about manual camera settings for photo and video. We had a good range of skill levels and it was really fun for everyone to share what they knew with the group!
After class we got some lunch and then headed out for Makalawena Bay (about 30 min away). Once there, Josh had to shuttled people to the trailhead with the Jeep since the road was a little rough and the 15 passenger van just wasn’t made for off roading.
After a 10 min walk to the bay we spent the rest of the evening swimming in the bay, taking pictures of each other, looking at the wild life (goats, monk seal, and sea turtle), and then made our way back to our van before they closed the park gate at 7pm. Haha, it was almost a close call.
DAY 3- We started off with an early morning dolphin boat tour ride which was amazing! I actually had to stay back because I was unallowed on the boat due to pregnancy- but Josh and the other girls got to swim with dolphins and snorkel.
After swimming with the dolphins, Josh taught the class on business and finance and then I taught the class on Social Media and creating a brand. We then headed to Akaka falls, had an amazing time, and then got some dinner in Hilo before making the drive back to our house on the Kona side.
DAY 4- We got a quick breakfast and then started on our way to Pololu Valley. Once there, we made the 20 minute hike down and played on the beach. The view at Pololu Valley was amazing! After swimming and taking some fun pictures and video it started to rain so we headed back to the car. On our way home we stopped to get some lunch before making back to our Airbnb. Once back at the Airbnb, we spent the rest of the evening relaxing and enjoying our Thai food takeout while soaking in the amazing infinity pool overlooking Kona and it’s beautiful sunset. Once the sun went down, Josh taught a class about video editing. After that we had a little pow wow where everyone shared some of their biggest takeaways from the retreat and then I finished off the night with a class on lightroom editing.
DAY 5- Next day, we ate breakfast and started taking people to the airport. It was so hard to see everyone go because I feel like we had bonded so well (especially on the last night). We were so SO sad and it honestly went by way too fast!!!
Josh-I just gotta give this guy right here a shout-out because first of all, he definitely took on more of the responsibilities with me being pregnant this time around! He did such an amazing job and took such good care of all of the girls!! I am soooo grateful for him :) He had lots of good times spending long car rides talking about makeup, hair, and boys ;) and of course taking lots of pics & vids which he actually doesn’t mind doing which is a rare quality in a guy! He is so amazingly encouraging , sweet, and kind to everyone and I love that about him!
Bre- Bre came from Oahu! Oh I just have sooo many good things I could say about Bre! When I think of Bre I think of bright and happy!! She is just pure sunshine to be around!! Not to mention - She is HILARIOUS and kept everyone laughing with her super funny stories! Everyone on the retreat is in agreement that she NEEDS to start a podcast ! Love this girl.
Paty- Paty came from Mexico! The first thing I think of when I think of Paty is how THOUGHTFUL she is. She was so loving and such a good friend to everyone who came on the retreat. Paty was the oldest girl who came but I swear she has the youngest spirit! She was such a blast to be around and kept everyone smiling:) She just brought so much happiness, positivity and good energy! I’m sooo happy she came! Te quiero Paty!! <3
Madison- Madison came from California! She is one of my best friends from college and now her little fam has been living the coolest life out of their RV! it made my heart sooo happy to finally be reunited :) She is seriously the BEST HUMAN and I want to be just like her!! Madi is such a gem and angel of a friend :) Truly the most loving and inclusive person. I just need her in my daily life because she is sooo uplifting, and makes me want to be better person!
Lydia- Lydia came all the way from Maine. My first impression of Lydia was that she LITERALLY has the sweetest voice I’ve ever heard. I love how kind and easygoing she is! Lydia is someone I just want to get to know better, because she is so sweet and quiet and too humble to ever talk much about herself ;) but she is amazing and deserves to be told! 💕I miss this cute girl so much!!
Taylor- Taylor came from Colorado! I was blown away by what an angel she is!! 😇💛 She is one of the most genuine and good to the core humans I’ve ever met. Everything she said was just so heartfelt and kind and she has such a way of making everyone feel so good and special. You can tell she just genuinely loves everyone and is sincerely interested in others. I love this girl with all my heart!
Michelle- Michelle came from Oahu :)She left her baby girl for the very first time to come on the retreat! She’s the cutest mama and also so hardworking! I loved how excited she was to always learn!! Michelle was always so kind and sweet to everyone in the group! Im so happy she came and took a much needed mama break because she deserves it!!
Samantha- Sam came from Alabama! She actually came on our Greece Retreat and I was sooo excited that she wanted to come on another :) When I think of sam I think of her happy smile, cutest southern accent and contagious laugh :) Another thing I noticed about Sam during our lessons this retreat is how smart and driven she is! She goes for what she wants and I know she will be able to accomplish her dreams!!
Rachel- Rachel came from Maui! Something that Josh and I both noticed is how she literally was smiling the whole time! Like, her natural face is a smile :) I’m so proud of her for conquering her fears on the retreat and swimming in the open ocean with wild dolphins!!! She’s also super smart and hardworking. During the retreat she also had to work for her job and did amazing at multitasking!
Sierra- Sierra came from Texas! Sierra truly was the life of the party at this retreat!! Sierra is someone who constantly excudes SO much joy! She is ready to experience life at it’s fullest at all times and it’s so fun to be around! She seriously was automatically best friends with everyone in an instant :) Sierra was such an amazing example to me of love and courage even in the hardest moments. I left feeling so inspired by Sierra!
Lauren- Lauren came from Colorado! There are so many amazing things to say about Lauren. I look up to her so much!! 💗First off, she is so sweet and nice. I was so impressed by how much she genuinely loves and cares about those around her. She is so good at listening to others and really took the time to get to know everyone. The more I was around Lauren, the more I felt lucky to be around her! I just love her so much!💛
Hannah-Hannah came from Virginia! Oh how I love Hannah!! She was a friend to everyone, and so so kind and easygoing. She was so supportive of all the girls and you can tell she just wants the best for everyone. I love her heart :) I also LOVE her passion for art and photography and that she is going for her dreams despite her fears!! I know she is going to do amaziiiing!
Jordan- Jordan came from Maryland! She was someone I instantly clicked with from Day one! I just love how bubbly, happy and fun she is! Jordan is down to have a good time all the time and brought the best vibes to the retreat. She is just someone that makes everyone want to be around her:) She is pure sunshine and I truly believe the retreat wouldn’t have been half as fun without this girl!!
Brit- Brit came from Oahu! She’s been one of my best friends since she moved to the island! I remember meeting her smiley self on a hike and I thought “I need her bubbly, happy spirit in my life!” Brit is seriously pure sunshine!! She is so sweet and kind and I just love her beautiful heart. She’s so inspiring and KILLS IT at everything she does! I’m so grateful for how collaborative and willing to share she is and I’m so happy she wanted to come on our retreat!!! Love you Britty! <3
Connor- Connor is Brit’s husband! It made Josh so happy to have another guy on the retreat! Especially that it was Connor! He is the the BEST guy to have in a group of mostly girls! He sincerely wanted to get to know everyone and was sooo helpful. There is no ego in Connor. In the best way possible. He is just so nice and genuine and we were so so happy to have him around :)
Krew- It added such a fun dynamic having a baby on this retreat! Krew was the biggest trooper and down for alll the adventures ;) It was so funny because literally half the girls who came are nannies! Everybody loved him sooo much! What a ladies man!!!
Overall, the whole experience was even better than we could’ve ever imagined it. It was so fun to meet all these amazing people and connect in an environment were we could learn and have so much fun. I feel like i left the trip with 17 new best friends 😭👭 and it’s been amazing to see the friendships they have created amongst themselves. Many of the girls who didn’t know eachother before planned to travel together before and after! It’s been so rewarding seeing the amazing videos and photos our friends have been creating. My heart really is so full from this experience 💛 josh and I will remember it forever! Who wants to come on the next one!?!
