Why You Should Hire a Photographer to Capture Your Retreat
Are you planning a retreat and wondering whether or not it's worth hiring a professional photographer? I can tell you with 100% certainty: it absolutely is! As a professional photographer and videographer who has captured nearly 20 international retreats, I can confidently say that the value of a professional capturing your retreat is about so much more than just beautiful photos (though those are great, too).
You spend months or even years planning a life-changing retreat for your community in a dream location, dialing in all the details, from accommodations to food to excursions to the magick you'll share with attendees. After all you've poured into creating this experience, you wonder whether hiring a photographer to capture all the magic is worth it.
In a survey of people who attended retreats, 67% said that the photos and videos on the sales page helped them understand what to expect at the retreat and make their decision to attend. Trade with a friend or photographer certainly has its place, but hiring a professional photographer can add significant value to your retreat.
You pour your heart and soul into creating a powerful, transformational, fun experience for every person who attends, and you deserve to have the magick of your work captured by someone well-versed in knowing how to anticipate and capture powerful moments naturally as they unfold, who knows how to capture the moment without interfering with it, without taking away from it. Someone with the technical skill and know-how to work and shoot in various lighting and weather conditions, with a knack for adapting and adjusting on the fly, based on intuitively reading what's needed in the moment.
A professional will add to the experience and feel like a supportive, easeful addition to your experience not feel like an extra drain on your attention while you lead.
If that in and of itself isn’t enough reason to consider hiring a professional, here are the five most significant reasons why it’s more than worth it to hire a photographer to capture your next retreat:
+ The Photos!
While it should go without saying, I still want to shout it from the rooftops: having high-quality, professional imagery of your retreat to look back on and share is the number one reason it is worth investing in hiring a professional photographer to capture your retreat. The two things that remain long after retreats end are the relationships forged and the images captured. Can your friend with a camera or attendees with their phones capture captivating moments? Of course! Anyone can capture a beautiful image, but a professional photographer brings their experience, expertise, equipment, creativity, and discernment to the retreat table. They know what to look for, and how to anticipate moments, they’re pros at capturing moments that encompass the heart of your work and the retreat experience, and they give you peace of mind and ease to know that there is one less piece you have to think about during your retreat.
+ Increased Value for Attendees
A photographer is there to capture special moments that you or the attendees may otherwise miss. Rather than you focusing on pulling out your phone to document the retreat, a professional photographer gives you and your attendees a chance to drop even deeper into the present moment, put away the phones, and enjoy the magick of the retreat while knowing that all the memories are being captured. Imagine being able to put your phone away and focus on your leadership and community, reminding attendees to lean into the chance to disconnect from their devices and step more deeply into full presence. When the retreat ends, they have high-quality images to bring back home and share with their family and friends, making the experience and memories feel even more special. Years from now, you'll all be able to look back on the images and relive all the moments of magick that unfolded. Mini photo sessions can often be added as an additional opportunity to capture individual attendees' essence at the retreat.
+ Marketing Magick
Instead of scrolling through generic stock imagery to promote your next retreat, envision being able to pull from an entire gallery of high-quality, professional images of you and your magick. When you hire a professional to capture your retreat, it means you have dozens, if not hundreds of completely unique, personalized images to use to market your events for years to come. Imagery that showcases the unique and special moments, facilitated and brought to life in ways only you can. Future attendees will see your magick first-hand and be able to see and feel the essence of the retreat experience with their own eyes. Current retreat attendees can share the images from their retreat with family and friends, generating even more excitement and buzz about your retreats and providing you with the best word-of-mouth marketing you can get.
+Showcase your Leadership
The most extraordinary and unique part of this retreat experience is you. A beautiful location, delicious meals, and adventurous excursions all add to the magick, but the secret sauce that draws folks to your retreat is you and your leadership. If they wanted a fun trip to Mexico, they could plan that on their own. Instead, they want the experience of adventuring and being held by you. Professional photography and videography can authentically capture the power of your leadership and the unique magick only you can create on retreat. Imagery that goes beyond what words or good sales copy can convey - letting people instantly see and connect with the value of what makes you and your retreat so special. Attract future retreat attendees by demonstrating that you take your leadership seriously with high-quality imagery that captures the heart and soul of what you do. Let yourself be seen in your leadership and make it even easier for your people to find you.
+Set Expectations
I have heard from nearly every retreat leader: “It feels impossible to put this experience into words." Which is precisely where a professional photographer comes in. Often on retreat, the moments of depth and transformation are so big and so life-changing that it truly is unimaginable to try to put it into words. Professional photographers can capture the deeper essence and energy of the retreat that goes beyond the physical experience. Professional photos and videos can help people envision themselves at the retreat and quite literally show them what to expect on retreat with you. Capturing the atmosphere, experience, location, group, energy, and activities that take place on the retreat gives people a glimpse of the magick and helps them start to visualize themselves in the retreat experience.
What to look for
When choosing the right photographer for your retreat, consider their portfolio and experience, technical skills, and personality.
+ Look at their portfolio to see what you can expect from the final gallery, and make sure their style and personality feel like a good fit for your vision and expectations.
+ Ask about their experience capturing retreats and make sure they have the technical skills required to capture the unique moments of your retreat.
+ Find someone who can capture the energy and essence of your retreat without detracting from the experience or taking up more of your time and energy while you lead.
+ You want someone who can travel comfortably and confidently when needed.
I get it. Hiring a professional photographer or videographer to capture your retreat is an investment. And it is an investment that will pay off in numerous ways.
It increases the value for attendees, provides unique, personalized future marketing material, showcases your magick as a leader and professional, and shows future attendees what they can expect on retreat with you.
Hire a professional photographer for your next retreat, and let them capture the essence of the experience while you focus on letting your magick shine.
