Lights, camera, Costa Rica! Imagine recharging your life with meditation, yoga, massage, gourmet dining and tropical breezes, and then having more than blurry iPhone photos to capture the memories.
Daydream no more. Renowned photographer Andreea B. Ballen, whose empowering, soulful portraits capture the true essence of her subjects, is bringing her inspirational message in front of the lens with a “Beautifully Brazen” retreat to Costa Rica from November 3-9th, curated for 15 women who are looking to unplug, reconnect and recharge their lives.
“This is a rare, empowering retreat that combines wellness, self-empowerment and improvement, self-confidence, and feeding your inner soul,” said Ballen, “It’s for the woman who is always ON, the woman who is always giving of herself to others first (to her family + her job), who needs to disconnect and relax and be pampered — so that she can find her sense of self again, and return a better mom/wife/boss – all around human being.”
Held in Santa Teresa, a Costa Rican magnet for the jet-set and celebrities (well hello, Giselle!), the “Beautifully Brazen” retreat will include luxury accommodation in a gorgeous Indonesian-inspired private villa 200 steps away from secluded beach, where participants can practice morning meditation, bonfires and dinner on the shore.
The villa includes its own yoga shala and salt-water pool nestled between mature almond trees. Ballen will also craft personalized activities that will “set your soul ablaze,” she says, and has arranged chef-created organic meals throughout the six-day retreat. In addition, women will enjoy gentle meditation, yoga and a massage.
The piece-de-resistance is Ballen’s specialty: a glamour shoot in a setting of each woman’s choosing, whether on the beach, privacy of their own villa or anywhere on the island. The shoot comes with all the trappings of a major editorial production including hair, make-up, expertise lighting and ideal backdrops (horses, anyone?) “How rare is it to really capture your experience by having it professionally photographed?”
Ballen has gained a national profile for her deeply intimate, personal and soul-affirming portraits that show womanhood in all its glory, whether in the boudoir or a meaningful setting that speaks to their lives, experiences and aspirations.
The November “Beautifully Brazen” luxury retreat is the first of what Ballen hopes will become an on-going series. Spaces are limited to 15 guests and there is still availability for the inaugural experience.
To book, visit beautifullybrazenretreat2019.andreeabballen.com.
Captures from the Wellness Retreat Photo Shoot
