
New Zealand Travel Retreat
South Island
January 18-23, 2026
There’s something remarkable that happens when you gather a group of women, all with a love for photography and travel – that don’t know each other, come from different backgrounds & locations, varying amounts of experience & skillset — to experience somewhere magic together for the first time (all while capturing once-in-a-lifetime sessions in bucket list locations). They walk away reborn with a sense of strength, bravery, inspiration, confidence & friendships for life.
“The Purpose Of Life Is To Live It, To Taste It, To Experience To The Utmost, To Reach Out Eagerly And Without Fear For Newer And Richer Experiences.”
The experience I’m offering below is unique & a bit longer than typical photography retreats – it calls to the adventurers heart. Women wanting to discover more about themselves & the things we sometimes don’t even realize are sleeping within us, until we find ourselves completely transported to the beauty & unfamiliarity of a new place. I consider this as much of a soul retreat as a photography one. My hope is that it awakens you in a way that you can then pour out into your art with that newfound aliveness & way of seeing.
“Traveling – It Leaves You Speechless, Then Turns You Into A Storyteller.”
The itinerary & details are listed below to give you the full scope of what’s included. We’ll be doing A LOT of exploring & adventuring, as well as shooting 3 incredible sessions. Not to mention getting gorgeous captures of each other in iconic backdrops. Though this isn’t a sit down & learn Retreat, there’s plenty of time for hands on shooting, learning & editing between adventures.








RETREAT ITINERARY
JANUARY 18
Retreat begins with 4 pm check-in & celebratory welcome dinner at our private high-country alpine estate that offers breathtaking elevated vistas of Lake Ohau and the majestic surrounding mountains, plus a 6 person mineral hot tub for stargazing while soaking.
JANUARY 19
Mount Cook National Park Day (about a 90 minute scenic drive from our estate). We’ll spend the day exploring the park – hiking & taking self-portraits in the epic backdrop, then finish with shooting a couple in an epic backdrop.
JANUARY 20
Group choice of exploring Mount Cook National Park a second day or driving longer (4 hours) to explore & shoot in Wilson Creek Canyon in Haast Pass.
JANUARY 21
This is a big driving and exploring day as we make our way from Lake Ohau to Milford Sound – the eighth wonder of the world!! Since the drive is over 6 hours to this World Heritage location, we’ll plan to make this day one for taking in all the epic sights & views along the way and not rush. We’ll finish our day with checking in to the iconic Milford Sound Lodge (which is a boutique destination hotel & also the only lodging available in the sound) to then celebrate with dinner together at their world-class Pio Pio Restaurant.
JANUARY 22
We’ll have a gorgeous local family here with us modeling for a stunning sunrise motherhood session and a family sunset session. Between, we have the day to explore the insanely gorgeous Milford Sound and explore other parts of Fiordland National Park.
JANUARY 23
This will be our final farewell breakfast & check-out.
The Details
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- 3 sessions in epic New Zealand locations, where you’ll be shooting side by side with me (Family, Motherhood & a Couple) to bring out the connection, emotion & storytelling.
- All Breakfasts & the first nights Welcome Dinner on Lake Ohau.
- All Lodging (3 nights in Lake Ohau & 2 nights at Milford Sound Lodge). Both offer a mix of mostly single beds & some shared.
- Video as an add-on to your photo session offerings
- Harnessing varying available light sources for most impactful artistic effect.
- Creating connection and storytelling in your work in an authentic way.
- Editing demonstration & guidance between adventures.
- 50% off my online workshops: All Heart Essentials & All Heart Video: Imperfect Family Love Stories as Art.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:
- Airfare
(Queenstown is the closest airport to the first nights lodging) - Transportation to/from and during the retreat (there will be an attendee Facebook group where you can connect & plan carpools together)
- Visa, Travel/Medical Insurance & International Driving Permit (it’s only $20 & easy to apply for at AAA)
- Lunch & Dinners, with the exception of the first nights Welcome Dinner.
Investment - $4,000
SOLD OUT – PLEASE EMAIL ME IF YOU WANT TO BE ADDED TO THE WAITLIST IF A SEAT OPENS UP.
Limited to 10 attendees & seats filled on a first come basis by emailing stormysolisphoto@gmail.com to request a seat. $1,000 deposit due at registration, with 3 more $1,000 payments due: September 10, October 10 & November 10.
refund policy
All seats are non-refundable or transferable. In the event you can’t attend, you can sell your seat to someone to replace you.
* Photos shown are from Google and not my work – these are meant to help give you an idea of locations & our lodging only
New Zealand Travel Retreat
South Island
January 18-23, 2026
There’s something remarkable that happens when you gather a group of women, all with a love for photography and travel – that don’t know each other, come from different backgrounds & locations, varying amounts of experience & skillset — to experience somewhere magic together for the first time (all while capturing once-in-a-lifetime sessions in bucket list locations). They walk away reborn with a sense of strength, bravery, inspiration, confidence & friendships for life.
“The Purpose Of Life Is To Live It, To Taste It, To Experience To The Utmost, To Reach Out Eagerly And Without Fear For Newer And Richer Experiences.”
The experience I’m offering below is unique & a bit longer than typical photography retreats – it calls to the adventurers heart. Women wanting to discover more about themselves & the things we sometimes don’t even realize are sleeping within us, until we find ourselves completely transported to the beauty & unfamiliarity of a new place. I consider this as much of a soul retreat as a photography one. My hope is that it awakens you in a way that you can then pour out into your art with that newfound aliveness, confidence & way of seeing.
“Traveling – It Leaves You Speechless, Then Turns You Into A Storyteller.”
The itinerary & details are listed below to give you the full scope of what’s included. We’ll be doing A LOT of exploring & adventuring, as well as shooting 3 incredible sessions. Not to mention getting gorgeous captures of each other in iconic backdrops. Though this isn’t a sit down & learn Retreat, there’s plenty of time for hands on shooting, learning & editing between adventures.




RETREAT ITINERARY
JANUARY 18
Retreat begins with 4 pm check-in & celebratory welcome dinner at our private high-country alpine estate that offers breathtaking elevated vistas of Lake Ohau and the majestic surrounding mountains, plus a 6 person mineral hot tub for stargazing while soaking.
JANUARY 19
Mount Cook National Park Day (about a 90 minute scenic drive from our estate). We’ll spend the day exploring the park – hiking & taking self-portraits in the epic backdrop, then finishing with shooting a couple in an epic backdrop.
JANUARY 20
Group choice of exploring Mount Cook National Park a second day or driving longer (4 hours) to explore & shoot in Wilson Creek Canyon in Haast Pass.
JANUARY 21
This is a big driving and exploring day as we make our way from Lake Ohau to Milford Sound – the eighth wonder of the world!! Since the drive is over 6 hours to this World Heritage location, we’ll plan to make this day one for taking in all the epic sights & views along the way and not rush. We’ll finish our day with checking in to the iconic Milford Sound Lodge (which is a boutique destination hotel & also the only lodging available in the sound) to then celebrate with dinner together at their world-class Pio Pio Restaurant.
JANUARY 22
We’ll have a gorgeous local family here with us modeling for a stunning sunrise motherhood session & a family sunset session. Between, we have the day to explore the insanely gorgeous Milford Sound and explore other parts of Fiordland National Park.
JANUARY 23
This will be our final farewell breakfast & check-out.
THE DETAILS
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- 3 sessions in epic New Zealand locations, where you’ll be shooting side by side with me (Family, Motherhood & a Couple) to bring out the connection, emotion & storytelling.
- All Breakfasts & the first nights Welcome Dinner on Lake Ohau.
- All Lodging (3 nights in Lake Ohau & 2 nights at Milford Sound Lodge). Both offer a mix of mostly single beds & some shared.
- Video as an add-on to your photo session offerings
- Harnessing varying available light sources for most impactful artistic effect.
- Creating connection and storytelling in your work in an authentic way.
- Editing demonstration & guidance between adventures.
- 50% off my online workshops: All Heart Essentials & All Heart Video: Imperfect Family Love Stories as Art.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:
- Airfare
(Queenstown is the closest airport to the first nights lodging) - Transportation to/from and during the retreat (there will be an attendee Facebook group where you can connect & plan carpools together)
- Visa, Travel/Medical Insurance & International Driving Permit (it’s only $20 & easy to apply for at AAA)
- Lunch & Dinners, with the exception of the first nights Welcome Dinner.





INVESTMENT - $4,000
SOLD OUT – PLEASE EMAIL ME IF YOU WANT TO BE ADDED TO THE WAITLIST IF A SEAT OPENS UP.
Limited to 10 attendees & seats filled on a first come basis by emailing stormysolisphoto@gmail.com to request a seat. $1,000 deposit due at registration, with 3 more $1,000 payments due: September 10, October 10 & November 10.
Refund policy
All seats are non-refundable or transferable. In the event you can’t attend, you can sell your seat to someone to replace you.