How Our Photography Retreats Let Vendors Actually Vacation

There’s something truly special about waking up before sunrise in New Zealand, setting up for a shoot as mist rises off the fjords and the mountains start glowing. The light is incredible, the locations are breathtaking, and the whole experience feels magical. But what makes it even better is when everyone on the team (from the models to the supporting vendors) actually get to enjoy being there instead of just powering through a packed work schedule.

That’s exactly what we aimed for on our recent destination photography retreat in New Zealand. We spent days exploring dramatic coastal spots and the stunning area around Milford Sound. The schedule was built with breathing room: golden-hour shoots, time to reset, and a relaxed group energy that let creativity flow. One person who embodied that spirit perfectly was Danni, our traveling bridal hair and makeup artist from the southwestern part of Colorado.

Danni covered her own airfare, flew out to join us and we covered the rest! She handled everything we threw at her with early sunrise calls, chilly evenings, and sunset sessions, all with total professionalism. She got the hair and makeup done beautifully, stayed right on timeline, and still had plenty of free time to enjoy the trip. One of those days she and her sister went horse back riding while in New Zealand! They were able to try local restaurants and explore on their own schedule. And we were so happy to see the adventures she got to enjoy when she wasn’t creating magic for us.

Why We Designed Our Retreats This Way

A lot of destination retreats treat vendors like they’re just there to work and nothing more. They end up stuck waiting around or eating on the run while everyone else soaks up the destination. We wanted to build something different from the start.

Here’s how our model works: Vendors cover their own travel to get there, but once they arrive, we take care of the lodging and all meals. That simple shift removes a ton of stress so they can focus on doing their best work and actually experience the place.

We also build plenty of buffer time into the days. This means when the work is done well and on schedule, vendors have real freedom. They can choose to stick with the group the whole time, or once they have finished for the set they can rent a car and head off on their own adventures. Danni took full advantage of that flexibility, and it made the whole retreat feel more like a shared experience than just a strict job.

How a Great Makeup Artist Lifts the Whole Shoot

Beyond her skills with hair and makeup, Danni brought such a warm, calm, and positive energy to the team. There’s something really powerful about having a friendly, professional artist in the chair. The models felt comfortable and confident right away, which helped them relax and show their natural beauty. That relaxed feeling spreads to the whole group making better expressions, more natural movement, and photos that feel alive and genuine instead of forced.

When the makeup artist sets a good tone, it makes a noticeable difference in the final images. Everyone feeds off that positive vibe, and it shows.

The Payoff for Our Clients

This approach isn’t just nice for the vendors, it directly benefits the people who join our retreats. When the whole team feels supported and recharged, the energy on set is completely different. Models enjoy the process more, I can focus on the light and the moments, and clients end up with images full of real joy and connection to the destination.

Our New Zealand retreat proved it again: when vendors can do excellent work and then go explore, ride horses through the landscape, or try local spots, everyone comes home with better photos and better memories.

Supporting Creatives

Danni is based just a few hours from Grand Junction, Colorado and specializes in bridal hair and makeup while happily traveling for destination jobs. We love bringing talented, reliable creatives like her on these international trips. It supports small businesses and adds such a great attitude to the team.

If you’re thinking about joining one of our future destination photography retreats as an attendee, model, or even as a vendor I would love to hear from you. These trips are designed to be creative, adventurous, and actually fun for everyone involved.

Drop me a message if you’re a makeup artist, hairstylist, or other creative who loves to travel. Or if you’re ready to experience a retreat for yourself, fill out the inquiry form below. Can’t wait to create more of these experiences together.

https://kenaiversenphotography.hbportal.co/public/6807f2c193935a0019071653