Investing in My Craft: What the Brilliance Key Retreat in Costa Rica Means for My Clients
This past week, I had the opportunity to step away from my studio in Massachusetts and immerse myself in an intensive photography retreat in Costa Rica—and experiences like this are a big part of why my clients receive the level of care, creativity, and intention that they do.
The Brilliance Key retreat was held at Vida Asana in Playa Hermosa, Jaco, Costa Rica, and it offered something invaluable: focused education, creative growth, and the space to refine my work without distraction. While the location itself was beautiful, the true value of this experience was how much it strengthened the way I show up for my clients.
Why Continuing Education Matters in Photography
Photography isn’t something you master once and repeat forever. The best photographers are constantly learning—refining their eye, improving their technique, and staying deeply connected to why they create the work they do.
At this retreat, I studied under respected educators including Cate Scaglione, Lindsay Adler, and Jessica Garris-McKnight. Each brought a different perspective on portrait and boudoir photography, from posing and emotional storytelling to lighting, movement, and visual intention.
We worked extensively with natural light as well as strobes, learning how subtle shifts can dramatically change the way an image feels. This type of hands-on education directly influences how I guide, pose, and photograph the women who trust me with their portraits.
Creating Images with Intention, Not Just Aesthetics
Throughout the retreat, we photographed a variety of sets and concepts designed to push creative boundaries. While we worked with professional models for portfolio building, what stood out to me most was how much this experience reinforced my own philosophy as a photographer.
My work has always been about photographing real people—everyday women—through emotion, connection, and trust, not just creating visually pleasing images. This retreat strengthened my ability to create images that feel powerful, honest, and personal, which is exactly what my clients come to me for.
I also had the opportunity to photograph two fellow attendees using newly learned techniques, and seeing those images come together reminded me how impactful intentional direction and thoughtful lighting can be when paired with authenticity.
What This Experience Brings Back to My Clients
For my clients here in Massachusetts and across New England, experiences like this mean you’re not getting a photographer who is stagnant or playing it safe. You’re working with someone who is continually investing in her craft so that every session feels elevated, supportive, and meaningful.
From how I use light, to how I guide posing, to how I help you feel confident and seen during your session—this retreat directly informs the experience I create in my studio. Growth like this allows me to bring fresh energy, refined skills, and a deeper sense of purpose into every portrait session.
Stepping Away to Return With Clarity
Taking time away from daily routines is often where the most clarity happens. This retreat reminded me why I do this work and reinforced my commitment to creating portraits that are not only beautiful, but emotionally resonant.
I’m incredibly grateful for the education, the environment, and the connections made during this experience, and I’m excited to bring everything I learned back to the women who step in front of my camera.
If you’re considering a portrait or boudoir session and want to work with a photographer who values growth, intention, and artistry, this is exactly why investing in ongoing education matters—to you as much as it does to me.