And why it Changed Me..
Have you ever felt like you were meant for more.. but didn't know where to begin?
There are some events you photograph… and then there are events that change you.
The Build Your Brave Retreat is one of those for me.
This transformational women’s retreat in Osoyoos, BC, hosted at the beautiful Watermark Beach Resort in the heart of the Okanagan focuses on empowerment, connection, and stepping into courage alongside like minded women.
But what most people don’t know is that while I show up as the official Okanagan event photographer, I’ve also participated in every single retreat since the beginning.
And it truly came into my life at the exact time I needed it most.
What It's Like Photographing a Women's Retreat in the Okanagan
As an Okanagan event photographer, I’ve captured weddings, brand launches, retreats, and community events.. but there is something incredibly special about documenting a women’s retreat in Osoyoos.
The moments are raw, completely unfiltered, and emotional.
It’s not about posed photos, it’s about capturing transformation in real time.
If you’re hosting a retreat in the Okanagan and want photography that tells the real story of your event, this kind of experience is exactly why I love what I do.
How It Started
Susie and I met one year before she asked me to be part of the retreat. We met at the Jilly Academy at my cousin’s farm. We had followed each other on social media prior to meeting, but when we met in person, it was instantly love at first sight lol. We clicked immediately and both said something along the lines of “I like this girl.” I honestly can’t even remember the exact words, but we both knew from that very first meeting we knew we would become instant friends.
When the time came that Susie asked me if I would like to photograph her very first retreat.. I immediately said yes. I didn’t even fully know what it was about, but I didn't care.
At that time in my life, I was going through a rough patch in my relationship and dealing with complications from a surgery that had gone wrong. It was such a heavy time in my life and I was searching for anything during that time to lift my spirits.
I didn’t need details.
I just knew I needed something.
That very first retreat had 11 women.
Eleven.
Now we’re preparing for nearly at 80 women this year!!!
Watching this retreat grow from a smaller Okanagan women’s retreat to a
powerful community has been one of the most beautiful things I’ve witnessed,
not just as a photographer,
but as someone who has personally been impacted by it.
More Than Just an Event
From the first moment Susie shared her story about her childhood trauma and
what motivated her to start these retreats, I was hooked.
There was a group meditation during that first retreat that made me cry. And although
I was there to photograph the event, I joined in during this meditation and bawled my eyes out.
Something shifted in me that day.
I left more motivated, more clear, and more goal driven than I had felt in years.
In fact, it pushed me so much that I went home and created a manifestation journal
and launched it on Amazon. I didn’t even fully know what I was doing at the
time but I was finally taking action instead of sitting in fear.
That’s what this retreat does.
It doesn’t magically fix your life.
But it lights something inside of you.
The Women That Attend
One of the biggest misconceptions about retreats like this is that you have to be
a certain type of woman to attend.
You don’t.
You don’t need a big following.
You don’t need a business.
You don’t need to be “healed.”
You don’t need status.
The women who attend Build Your Brave are everyday women.
Women navigating relationship struggles.
Health challenges.
Loneliness.
Career shifts.
Grief.
Big dreams.
Quiet doubts.
Some share openly. Some don’t. But the energy in the room is always
the same.. supportive, welcoming, and oh so real.
I’ve made friendships.
I’ve collaborated with businesses.
I’ve connected with women I never would have met otherwise.
And every single year, I leave feeling fuller than when I arrived.
Being the Photographer (and Part of the Team)
As the event photographer, I get to witness everythingggg.. the tears, the breakthroughs,
the laughter, the nervous arrivals, and the
confident exits.
There’s something incredibly powerful about documenting women
stepping into courage.
I’m so grateful to be part of the Build Your
Brave team alongside Susie and Tracey. Watching Susie grow this from 11 women to nearly 90 has been inspiring beyond words.
The heart behind it is real.
The intention is real.
The impact is real.
Tracey, who has also been a part of the Build Your Brave Team, has
become such a staple. The three of us are like a little trio.
We have our funny little group text messages,
but then we also dive into planning and managing the retreat.
We were brought into each others lives for a reason, and I could not
be more thankful for Susie, Tracey, the community of women that has
been built from attending these retreats and everything else that
has magically fallen into place.
Mini Sessions at the Retreat
One of my favourite parts of the weekend is offering mini sessions during the retreat.
If you’re attending, you’ll have the opportunity to book a short session with me.
Whether that’s stepping outside your comfort
zone to take photos just for you, or capturing
lifestyle outdoor headshots for your business.
And just to be clear.. you do not need to own a business to book headshots.
You can book them simply because you want
to feel confident, celebrate where you’re at, and
have photos that make you feel amazing.
There is something incredibly empowering
about standing in front of the camera
surrounded by women who are cheering
you on. The energy is different. It’s safe.
It’s supportive. And it shows in the photos every single time.
Plus the Watermark has the most beautiful
backdrop outside of the resort, so the
scenery will not disappoint.
Be Prepared
Be prepared.
There will be tears.
There will be stories you hear from women
you’ve never met before that will stay with
you long after the weekend ends. There will
be moments where you look around the room
and realize how much courage it takes for
someone to share their truth.
Some of those stories will come from
women you may only know through social media, especially some of this year’s incredible
keynote speakers. Others will be from complete strangers that become life long friends.
We are so honoured to welcome the Mint
Cleaning girls and Cat & Nat this year, along
with other powerful voices who are willing to
stand on stage and share their real experiences.
It’s raw.
It’s vulnerable.
It’s inspiring.
And it’s exactly why this retreat continues to grow year after year.
If You're Thinking About It
If you’ve ever felt like you needed something…
A shift.
A reset.
A community.
A spark.
I highly recommend attending something like this. It is one of the most impactful Okanagan women’s retreats you will ever attend.
Sometimes you don’t need all the details.
You just need to say yes.
Build Your Brave changed the trajectory of my mindset during one of the hardest seasons of my life and now I get to help capture that same transformation for other women every single year.
And that is something I’ll never take for granted.
Interested In Attending?
If this stirred something in you…
If you’ve been craving deeper connection, clarity, or courage in this season…
Maybe this is your sign.
Spots for the 2026 Build Your Brave Retreat in Osoyoos are almost sold out, with only a few remaining.
If you feel called to be in the room, now is the time.
Click below to learn more and secure your spot.
