Tag Archives: boudoir photographer

Lindsay + Sean | Intimate Couples Session

When Lindsay first reached out to me to celebrate her and Sean’s engagement alongside the launching of a new business, I never could have guessed that it would lead to one of the most powerful couples sessions of my career. As she described her empowered intimacy + pleasure coaching business, Wolf + Moon Coaching, I knew in my gut I’d finally found the perfect pair to experiment with a new and intimate style of photographing partners. I asked if they would be game to end their session in their chonies, and trust me to document the magnetism of their bodies tangling together.

The session began as most typical engagement sessions do: wandering hand in hand through nature, reminiscing on how they met. It didn’t take long for me to recognize that this isn’t the first lifetime Sean & Lindsay’s souls have found each other. They way they moved, laughed, and gently held one another was like poetry given life. This session moves in three parts, and just gets steamier with each outfit change.

I am so grateful that Sean & Lindsay trusted me with abandon for this session. There wasn’t a single moment that was weird or awkward, which speaks volumes to the safety and wholeness they feel together.
But don’t take my word for it…

Persephone Unleashed | Fall Retreat 2021

“Rested Bitch Face,” quickly became the tagline of the Fall Equinox Retreat last month. It never ceases to blow my mind how a group of strangers can all be holding each other through both tears and belly laughs by the end of day one. This group was no exception. We had women from 27-58 years young, hailing from 4 different states. And it’s like they were meant for one another. Meant for me, too. Each retreat clarifies my vision of what Persephone’s importance in this world. Now more than ever, I am absolutely positive of my place and purpose in this beautiful Collective. And I’d like to see you try to stop me.

Details for the 2022 Persephone Unleashed Retreats will be coming together this winter.
Be sure to join the mailing list to be the first to know when registration opens!

COSMIC COLLABORATORS of CREATIVITY:
Photographer + Hostess: Sarah Kathleen 
Venue: Flying Caballos Ranch
Florals: Lilies of the Field
Catering: Flora & Fauna Fine Food 
Hair + Makeup: Rozetree Bridal | Rhyan & Juju
Stationer + Artistry: Nicole Joy
Yoga + DJ: RyToast | Yoga & Mixtapes
Shamanic Healer + Workshop: Jen Chen
Spa: Fable Soap Co. 
Vintage Rentals: Embellish Vintage Rentals 
Table & Tabletop Rentals: All About Events
Wine: Ruby Cellars 
Coffee: Spearhead Coffee 
Massage: Kate Cody
Sweatshirts: The Pine Torch

DAY ONE arrived with the last Full Moon of Summer…
And with temperatures in the low 80’s, it truly was the last remnants of Summer. The ladies arrived to Flying Caballos Ranch and the cutest yellow farm house settled before the rolling hills of San Luis Obispo, which would be their home for the next 3 nights. Upon arrival, they were handled a cocktail and invited to indulge in the bounty of delicious snacks. After we opened our circle with introductions, we migrated to a table laden with floral pretties and guided through a floral crown workshop by Ranay from Lilies of the Field. Rose was poured, laughter started to bubble throughout the space, and Joy was unavoidable. Next, we slipped into cozy evening wear and were treated to a skin and self care session with the lovely ladies of Fable Soap Co. Our time with Jeriel and Bobbie reminded us how important and truly simple loving our skin really is. As the sun set and the twinkle lights came on, we moved inside and treated our tastebuds to a build your own nacho bar — a genius slumber party inspired meal by Flora and Fauna Fine Food. The Harvest Moon rose above the hillside and a few of us slipped out and just watched her in sweet reverence, sipping on glasses of red wine. And it was a perfect day.

DAY TWO arrived with the last day of Summer…
We awoke to the smell of coffee and a beautiful breakfast spread, before circling up on the lawn for our first yoga practice with Ry (owner and founder of Yoga & Mixtapes). This was my 2nd retreat with Ry (who also happens to be my cousin), and I love hearing the women’s experience of her. So many women have arrived to the retreat having never taken (or perhaps never enjoyed) a yoga class before. And Ry is the perfect guide into the sacred practice of observing our breath and bodies. She doesn’t take life too seriously, and loves to weave fun, laughter, and exploration into her classes like I’ve never seen in my 12 years of practicing yoga. Not to mention her playlist BUMPS.

It was a fluid transition out of yoga into our part one of a ‘Release to Receive’ Workshop with Jen Chen, Shamanic healer and now dear, dear friend. These energy workshops are absolutely impossible to describe through words alone, and really beg one to experience her work firsthand to KNOW the powerful healing she brings to the Persephone experience. If you know, you know. And I would LOVE for you to Know. Day one was dedicated to Releasing fears that no longer serve us, to make room in our heartspace for what was to come the following day. And boy, did we let that shit go.

Rhyan and Juju, the badass babes of Rozetree Bridal arrived ready to pamper and glam five women for their bare sessions. All the while being musically hyped up by DJ RyToast, the vibe queen.

I guided five women through their bare session journeys, and witnessed each and every one of them transform before my very eyes. It’s like watching a terrified kitty cat evolve into a lioness, as they dropped in and took a piece of their power back. These sessions are another thing that is impossible to describe to someone who’s never done it. And if I have my way, every woman will Know this one day.

As day two came to a close, we gathered around a beautifully set table for an Indian inspired meal by chef Heidi of Flora & Fauna. After such a big day, we all wandered off to bed early to get some rest before doing it all over again.

DAY THREE arrived with the Fall Equinox…

Women woke with the shifting of seasons, and I found them scattered amidst the property soaking in the magic of this first day of Fall.
After another glorious breakfast, we joined Ry for our 2nd yoga practice. More laughter. More juicy movement.
Part Two of our ‘Release to Receive’ workshop with Jen Chen brought with it joy, singing, dancing, and a reception of ALL THE GOOD THINGS we made space for the day before.

Four women were photographed this day, and it was just as powerful. Watching women give voice and movement to their truths is the greatest gift, and I will do this until the day I die.

To celebrate the Fall Equinox, we dressed in our fanciest wares for a Goddess Feast and gathered around a bountiful table set by the lovely ladies of Flora & Fauna. We dined on comfort foods and drank deeply of conversation, belly laughs, and delicious red wine. We ended the night with a spontaneous rap show by RyToast and danced in the moonlight until our bodies could dance no more.

DAY FOUR arrived with the foggiest of mornings, Fall had truly arrived…

A group of women who started as complete strangers was now faced with the difficult task of saying goodbye (for now).
After a gentle, seated yoga practice where we just loved on our throat chakras (they did WERK) and gave ourselves the most intentional of hugs, we sat down together for one final meal: BRUNCH.

With full bellies and fuller hearts, we departed one by one.
And it’s so good know that we’ll all find our way back to one another.
Because I’ve only just gotten started.

Persephone Unleashed | Summer Retreat

Ladies & gentlemen, we’ve done it again. 

We’ve successfully escaped a society in the midst of a pandemic to connect with other humans and just LOVE on ourselves. And that, dear ones, is worth a standing ovation of applause. I am no fool — I know that stepping away from our life is HARD. Stepping away from our children, our jobs, our businesses, our home takes true commitment to ones wellness and mental health. And for that, I want to honor each and every woman who has made it happen for herself this past year and attended a Persephone Unleashed retreat. Bravo, madame. 

That being said, I am over the moon to bring you the Persephone Unleashed Summer Retreat experience. Just after the Summer Solstice, 8 women gathered in the hills of Arroyo Grande. This retreats unspoken theme came to life in the form of Joy. We met each other in the mess, and danced ALL OVER IT.

We made flower crowns, did botanical face masks, and feasted under the stars. We stretched and expanded our capacity for joy. We were treated like queens, being pampered and served like true royalty. We laughed, skinny dipped, drank in the sweet nectar of life, and then laughed some more. 

Summing these retreat into words feels impossible, so I’m grateful that my camera can speak for me instead. 

>> the Fall Equinox retreat is coming up soon, and there are still two thrones left at the table. claim yours TODAY (registration closes July 31st) <<

THE DREAM TEAM:
Venue: The Casitas Estate
Culinary Goddesses: Flora + Fauna Fine Food
Hair & Makeup Queens: Rozetree Bridal
Florals: Lilies of the Field
Rentals: All About Events
Lounge: Avenue Twelve
Energy Work: Jen Chen
Yoga: Hillary Kusko
Spa: Rozetree Botanicals
Paperie Sorceress: Nicole Joy
Coffee: Spearhead Coffee
Wine: Ruby Cellars & Hawks Hill Ranch



Goddess of the Sea | Santa Barbara Boudoir

There once was a goddess sailing the open sea.
A storm had just capsized her boat, sweeping everything she held dear overboard.
She lashed together the shattered pieces of her vessel,
And stood strongly to face the wind.
The wind arrived at her back, holding her steady,
Aiding her journey forward.
The ocean gathered around her feet,
a beast tamed to its mistress.
“Onward,” it whispered.
So Onward she went.

(Unrelated to this beautiful Sea Goddess and her story, as of today there is one available space at my upcoming Persephone Unleashed Retreat next month! I cannot wait to see who the space is meant for. Because I have no doubt in my mind it belongs to someone very tired, very special, and much in need of a reconnect.)

Air Goddess – San Luis Obispo Boudoir Photographer

There once was a goddess who’s lungs were full to the brim.
She flew through her life, with the wind in her curls and the road beneath her wheels.
Her path led her through forests and earth, and brought her to the edge of the continent.
There, her lungs greeted the sea with the deepest of exhales.
And upon the exhale, a pause. And upon the pause, an inhale once more.
As the wind rose to meet her, she was reset.

{hair and makeup by The Queens Bees}

Based in San Luis Obispo and traveling the globe documenting destination weddings, elopements, and stories of all kinds. Inspired by love, light, heartache, and all the things that make us human.

San Luis Obispo Elopement Photographer
San Luis Obispo Elopement Photographer