Reflections on the Dallas Retreat

We just wrapped our first portrait retreat in Dallas and it was so much fun! This was our 13th retreat that we’ve hosted but it was our first retreat where the main event was a photoshoot with the very best in the biz, Elise Kutt of Mod Bettie.

Elise has been on every single one of my retreats. She took my branding photos, made my website, and then helped me make a sales page for my first retreat. She signed up to co-host with me without us really discussing it.

I vaguely remember her offering to take photos at it so that I’d have content for future ones and I was more than happy to have her there because I was on the brink of a daily panic attack because I had no clue what I was doing. And from that very first retreat in Northern Michigan, she’s been encouraging guests to get in front of her camera.

She’s captured babes on cliffs with and without clothes on, she’s attracted a crowd of onlookers at a local bar in Costa Rica while standing in the middle of the road and a rainstorm to shoot guests on a rusty truck, and she made a group of us laugh when we opened our eyes after “namaste” to see her helping a guest pose topless out by the frozen lake. We’ve hauled gowns all over the world, tried acroyoga in the snow in Banff, posed nude on trails and next to waterfalls, and we even accidentally photobombed a couples’ engagement at the top of Mt. Etna.

I remember feeling hesitant to broadcast that these photoshoots are a part of our retreats. I didn’t want anyone not to join because they would feel uncomfortable. But Elise is so good at meeting you where you’re at and making you feel comfortable in the skin you’re in. She truly has an incredible gift. And myself and all of my co-hosts are really good at creating a vibe where guests feel at ease to choose their own adventure and only participate in the portions of the itinerary that serve them in the present moment. And when I reflect on our friendship, I can’t help but feel foolish for not shouting from the rooftops what a life-changer my co-host is.

I first met Elise when I booked a glamour and boudoir shoot with her in 2017. I had wanted to be photographed by her in a gown because I never get really fancy and it sounded fun and I had always been pretty comfortable in my body but very uncomfortable feeling sexy so I forced myself to do the boudoir portion. I stalked her online for at least year and always talked myself out of booking the shoot. I finally made a New Year’s resolution to do anything and everything that I wanted to do but stopped myself because I was uncomfortable. A shoot with Mod Bettie was the first thing to cross off my list, and I finally booked it.

As a woman, it completely changed me. Growing up and constantly comparing myself to magazine covers made it difficult to “compete”. But having a team of professionals do my hair and makeup, style my wardrobe, move lights and sometimes air, and tell me exactly how to pose leveled the playing field in an instant. I wish every awkward teen going through puberty could have an experience like that and then commit to booking one shoot every decade to celebrate you in your body in its current form.

Can you imagine how many confident, empowered women we would have running the world?

I remember after my shoot thinking Elise was changing so many lives for the better. Having already experienced struggles and disappointment with my career path, it clicked that I wanted to do meaningful work like her. She has always been a huge inspiration and powerful force behind my brand. I will never be able to fully express my gratitude to be able to call her my bestie.

So friends, from now on, please know that these portrait sessions are always a part of any retreat itinerary and are accessible to you in many forms: a pic with your mom on our hike, a headshot, yoga, glamour, boudoir, literally anything and they co-exist seamlessly with us spending the majority of our time in sweats and no make up. And we will absolutely be offering more portrait retreats in the future! We’re heading back to Dallas next year!

Join us on our next adventure!

My name is Anna VanAgtmael, and I am a certified yoga instructor with a passion for yoga, travel, and connecting with others.

I believe in trying everything once. My values lie in collecting memories over things. Though we desire adventure and authentic experiences, naturally our fear holds us back.

My ambition is to inspire and encourage you to unmask your fears and jump into the unknown.

Anna VanAgtmael | Yoga Enthusiast | Travel Designer