Behind-the-Session - Retreat Magick - Sicily, Italy

Photo

Feb 5

I realize I still haven’t shared much about my adventures capturing the magick of last year’s Sacred Spirituality Retreat in Sicily, Italy, and I’m here to remedy that today. Nearly two years after it was initially supposed to happen, after countless reschedules and pandemic-related delays, the retreat, hosted by Kacy Harnedy and Jocelyn Boucher, finally came to life.

It was my first time in Italy and my first time on a plane since the pandemic started, and it was every bit the chaotic, beautiful mess that you would expect. From date and flight changes to extreme weather to the most incredible food I’ve ever had and moments I will cherish and remember for the rest of my life, Sicily was well worth the wait.

Kacy and Jocelyn hold such powerful, healing space on their retreats and through their work, and it felt immensely important to me to simultaneously respect and honor the vulnerability and trust of all the participants while still making sure to capture all of the magick of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Our location was a stunning 17th-century working farmhouse nestled in the heart of the rolling Sicilian mountains and I don't have the proper words to describe the power of the energy on the land. The team at Sicilian Spirit has done such an incredible job of preserving the history and character of the buildings on the property while updating them to accommodate modern retreat guests in a way that feels attentive and luxurious (can we talk about the pool?!?!)

When I'm capturing intimate retreats like this one, I deeply understand the need to be present and integrate with the group to create trust, without my camera. I'm a human first, and I want them to know that I'm not there to put them on the spot or exploit a personal or vulnerable moment for the sake of a photo. I'm there to capture the magick of their retreat experience while they focus on being dropped in to every moment. You would be amazed at what happens when you have the chance to put your phone away and steep in all of the sights and sounds and tastes of your retreat adventure.

Kacy and Jocelyn did an incredible job of balancing sight-seeing exploration and healing and relaxing moments and I truly, truly felt like I got to experience so much of Sicily in the week we were there. We took three separate day trips to Palermo, Catania, and Gangi, respectively. And we just so happened to visit Catania on the day with the hottest recorded temperatures in European history.

All that walking, pizza-eating and trying not to overheat was properly balanced with copious amounts of pool time (including several impormptu pool yoga classes), deep shamanic and healing work, and relaxing and resting in the Sicilian countryside.

Every moment of this retreat was a literal dream-come-true. Traveling always presents its own set of unique challenges, and one of my favorite things about capturing retreats is the ever-shifting energy that forces me to be deeply present with you, with the details and with the energy of what is happening in every moment.

I'm calling in a few more magickal retreat opportunities to photograph this year. If you're a retreat leader looking for timeless, powerful images that capture the magick of your experience, I would love to work with you.