PHOTOGRAPHY RETREAT | A SUNNY WORKSHOP

Today is the launch of our newest workshop opportunities in Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA! We’re heading out for more fun and we’d love for a few of you lady bosses to join us! We wanted to highlight last week’s Sunny Retreat in OBX, so while we focus on that, you can find full information about the AKP Charming and Peachy Retreats below.

Just a week ago, we were greeting our attendees and filling Crawford Cottage to the brim with girl boss creatives who were eager to get their feet in the sand, to get to know one another, and to soak up knowledge from everyone around them. This was by far the biggest event we’ve attempted, and I think the whole idea of being there stayed very surreal until we pulled into the driveway.

The house was huge. Wooden paneling, seashells, ocean inspired art, and an ocean VIEW for days.. This house was special. Natalie and I traveled in early Wednesday to check in and unload the bulk of our necessities for the weekend. We woke up early, drove all day (through DC’s closed metro traffic.. ugh!), arrived and got to work. One of my favorite memories is finally going to bed that night. About 10 minutes later, I heard a tap at the door. “The room is scary,” she said as she crawled into bed with me. We laughed at how huge the house seemed, and then we slept.. hard.

We woke up to the buzz of AMAZING. My AKP Squad (credited below) slowly trickled in, cars packed full of goodies for the workshop. They arrived all day, late into the night. The house became cozier and cozier. The laughter grew louder and louder. It was nearly the end of that second prep day that we realized we hadn’t yet walked down to the beach. So, we did. We walked down to the beach, and watched the sunset together. I remember thinking in that moment.. “how lucky am I? I finally have my people.”

Attendees began to arrive early in the morning. Eager ladies snuck in before breakfast, others trickled in through the afternoon. It was a whirlwind of greeting happy faces, finally hugging each girl I’d come to know online over the months previous, unloading luggage (we’re women, we don’t pack light!), and small talk. It was a day to arrive, relax, and connect and was by far the prettiest day of the weekend.

The days following would fly by just the same. The weather took a sad turn, but we pushed through and tried to accomplish as much as possible. Amanda Hedgepeth, Courtney Jones, and I gave presentations on subjects near to our hearts. We shot a styled shoot inspired by “The Little Mermaid.” We ate amazing food. There were fabulous conversations happening all around. Friends were made. We threw a LIVE wedding and celebrations were had. Happy tears were shed. It was really something extraordinary.

If I had to pinpoint one moment that was super special to me, it was one I spent alone. Let me preface by saying that as the host, I was often being pulled in a lot of directions. This put me in a ironic position being that there were three floors to the house, and 30 women to tend to. I laugh now, but obviously couldn’t have known I’d break my foot in a clumsy act leaving me in a walking boot for our workshop (though I wish I could have foreseen that one!). In this moment, I was really stressed, and for whatever reason I stopped in the stairwell. I stopped and took a huge breath to clear my head, and when I opened my eyes.. I heard the biggest burst of laughter from upstairs. I laughed, too, and then I joined them. I will always remember and cherish that gratifying, heart-filling moment. <3

Here are some more of my favorite moments and things from the AKP Retreat experience, as captured by Lauren C. Photography. Enjoy!

Our home for the weekend, Crawford Cottage, which was right across the street from Surfin’ Spoon!

Special touches like centerpieces from Renee Landry Events, calligraphy from Sincerely Amy Designs, and paper flower boutonniere name tags for attendees by Paper Heart Bloom

Fun piñata letters by Katie K. Franklin!

ALL of the impromptu salty, beach headshots!

Toasts with bubbly (or ginger ale)!

The FOOD! Bean.An.Ti did an AMAZING job feeding us all weekend. It was AMAZE!

Our day two surprise at breakfast! Lady boss mugs from Letters by Lindsey, CUSTOM Duck Donuts, and a confetti bar styled by Simply Gorgeous Events by Lara-Jill… Swoon!

Getting to see and speak along side my beautiful friend, Amanda Hedgepeth.

SO many happy faces! <3 <3 <3

Our “Little Mermaid” inspired shoot with help from Renee Landry Events, EAlexDesigns, Simply Gorgeous Events by Lara-Jill, and more

Did we say, “the food?”

Having the opportunity to pour my heart out to our girls <3 

Announcing our Key Largo retreat with Courtney Jones Photography, who will join us again in September! YAY!

The little details, like these straws from Mandy Harlow of Renee Landry EventsTaco night, guys! Need I say more?

Our “favorite moment of the day” journal that all the girls wrote in at breakfast each morning. 

Our confessional booth for video footage with Maryn Graves Productions (coming soon!) with a custom Taylor Swift quote piece by Madison Bell

Spending time with my girl from Miami, Courtney Jones! This lady is your official guest host in Key Largo and we’re excited to have her back. :)

One more compliment to our chef, Jaki! I ate so many shrimp!!  

Walking away with stronger friendships, new bonds, and a heart full of memories with amazing women.

See ALL of our behind the scenes photos HERE.

I can’t wait to share more over the coming weeks of our styled shoots, more about our LIVE WEDDING that we shot on Sunday of the event, and what we have in store for our next trip. Ready to sign up? Visit the links below to get all the details and to snag your spot while they last. We hope to see you in August or October!

-Ash

Charleston, SC | August 18-22 | Details and Registration HERE

Savannah, GA | Sept. 28-Oct. 3 | Details and Registration HERE

AKP SUNNY RETREAT SQUAD

Ashton Kelley | Ashton Kelley Photography

Lauren Cunningham | Lauren C. Photography

Natalie Contrera | Natty C. Artistry

Alicia Wiley | Alicia Wiley Photography

Lara-Jill Reynolds | Simply Gorgeous Events by Lara-Jill

Maryn Graves | Maryn Graves Productions

Amanda Hedgepeth | Amanda Hedgepeth Photography

Courtney Jones | Courtney Jones Photography

Jaki Boyce | Bean.An.Ti

Renee Landry & Mandy Harlow | Renee Landry Events

Erin Keefer | EAlexDesigns