Tag Archives: The Holly Farm

May 19, 2024

Persephone Unleashed Retreat | Holly Farm 2024

At the precipice of the Spring Equinox, a group of women traveled to Carmel Valley for a retreat centered around healing our throat space. They arrived as strangers, and left as sisters. Forever bonded by the experience.

Each Persephone retreat is unique and unlike any retreat that came before it. But this retreat was the first to have a theme, which brought the women closer in a way I hadn’t witnessed before. Throat Space healing is best done alongside wounded soldiers, otherwise who is there to witness your voice as it emerges louder and stronger than ever before?

We spent five days amidst the serene oasis of The Holly Farm, being handed cocktails and fed magical meals by La Creme.
Our mornings started with gentle yoga led by Nikki Stromsoe, followed by a Throat Speace Healing Workshop co-led by Nikki and Jade, where we got curious about our voices, journeyed to spend time with them, and cleared out many roadblocks along the way.
Our afternoons were spent lounging, getting massages & energy work or getting glammed up by Rhyan & Juju for a photo shoot with yours truly.
Our evenings were spent gathered around a beautiful table, being nourished and spoiled by the La Creme team.

It is truly impossible to describe the essence of this retreat, and the transformations we all witnessed in one another. But the photos can definitely help…. see for yourself.

Interested in attending a Persephone Unleashed Retreat someday? Join the Persephone Post email list at the bottom of the home page.

May 23, 2023

Persephone Unleashed | The Holly Farm | Carmel Women’s Retreat

There’s something powerful that happens when you enter into the energetic forcefield surrounding The Holly Farm — the mind starts to quiet, the heart starts to expand, breath starts to come easier, and your body recalls what peace feels like. This was our third time being invited back into this space, and it’s as if the Earth herself remembers us. It’s as if she whispers, “Welcome home, I’ve been waiting for you. Come, let me hold you awhile.”

This group of women embraced duality in a way that blew me out of the water. They embodied the spirit of “Both/And” in their photo shoots, inspired by light + dark, masculine + feminine, delicate + wild. And I watched Persephone Unleashed become the safe space of my wildest dreams — somewhere women of all ages, sizes & colors can step into different versions of themselves just to see what it feels like, if it fits or if it doesn’t. A fitting room of the Selves, if you will. Where every version, every messy and beautiful piece of you is seen, accepted, held, and loved no matter what.

But don’t take my word for it. See for yourself…..

September 22, 2022

Zoe + Tino | The Holly Farm, Carmel CA

Folks who love to laugh are my kind of people. Tino & Zoe emanate joy and emotion like no one I have ever seen. The way they look at each other, hold each other, laugh with each other — it’s the stuff of photographer’s dreams. And I am so grateful not only to know them, but to have gotten to share this incredibly special day with them.

Venue: The Holly Farm | Catering: La Creme | Hair & Makeup: Kim Larson | Rentals: Chic Events

December 11, 2021

Kelly + Ron | The Holly Farm, Carmel Wedding

A little over one year ago, Kelly and Ron pandemic-pivoted their entire wedding, and got married anyways. And instead of throwing in the towel on the wedding they originally wanted, they stayed committed and threw the most epic “one year anniversary party” of all time.

How lucky am I that I got to photograph this lovely couple on the happiest day of their lives, TWICE!? And I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Venue: The Holly Farm | Florals: Laughin Gal Floral | Catering: La Creme | DJ: Sound Shine | Rentals: Chic Rentals

November 8, 2020

Ron + Kelly | The Holly Farm, Carmel Wedding

Weddings have not only looked a little different this year, but they’ve FELT different too.

It’s as if the roller coaster that has been 2020 has taught us what’s really important, what to cling to, and what to let go. Weddings have reflected that in big ways. And when all this is over someday, I hope we never go back to the way it was before. I hope we continue to find gratitude in simple places, spread love and connection like it’s our job, and never EVER take hugs for granted.

Ron & Kelly’s wedding reminded me of that. I hope it can remind you too.

Venue: The Holly Farm / Carmel Mission Basilica | Florist: Laughin’ Gal Floral