The Art of Slow Living with Nectar Retreats


Destination Wellness Retreat Content: Greece


Lefkada was the perfect backdrop for this retreat; the villas sat high above twin bays, surrounded by olive groves and mountain views that changed with the light. The yoga shala, nestled among the trees, became one of my favourite spaces to photograph; quiet, open, and framed by the island’s raw landscape.

The Experience


This retreat was designed to slow things down. The schedule was intentionally spacious, giving guests time to explore local beaches or just rest at the villa. That balance of structure and freedom shaped my creative approach. I had done enough planning to capture key moments, but allowed enough space to let storytelling unfold naturally.


Before every retreat, I map the schedule to my shot list and ideal lighting; this includes when to shoot yoga, where the sun will fall, and how to transition between locations. For Greece, my focus was to show both the scale of the landscape and the closeness of the group. Morning yoga, late afternoon swims, and dinners at golden hour all became part of the story.

A table filled with various seafood dishes including lobster, fish, and appetizers on white plates at a restaurant.
Two people leap off the back of a boat into a scenic lake surrounded by trees on a sunny summer day.
People gathered around a wooden table in a casual indoor setting wearing casual attire and baseball caps.
Sunlight streams through windows in a rustic wooden barn interior with exposed beams and support columns.
Modern white pavilion structure perched on a hillside during golden hour with mountains in the background.
Modern outdoor yoga studio with wooden deck and white walls features lounge chairs and meditation cushions under a shaded roof.
A Greek flag flutters against a bright blue sky, mounted on a wooden pole with visible electrical wires nearby.
A series of silhouetted figures stand against a glass window with trees visible in the background during sunset.
Legs splash into deep blue Mediterranean waters near dramatic limestone cliffs on a sunny summer day.

Behind the Lens


My goal was to show Greece in its truest light; crisp whites, deep olive greens, and endless shades of blue. The afternoon sun was strong and direct, which I love and leaned into it, using the contrast to create bold, authentic imagery.


The most impactful part of my toolkit for this retreat included a drone and a 16mm wide lens. They allowed me to show the scale of the villas, venue and island.

Our Shot List was Extensive...


Retreat coverage included:

  • An all encompassing stills library
  • Snappy social focused recap videos
  • Guest testimonials


We also filmed founder interviews, an extended FAQ video and started a new yoga-focused content series which is part of a larger ongoing project to build out Nectar’s full content library.


This was my fourth retreat with the team, and the trust we’ve built shows in how seamlessly we work together.

My Focus on Retreats


  • Take content capture off the plate of the hosts so they can stay present in the experience they’ve created.
  • Create a comfortable environment for guests, never intrusive. The best feedback I can get is, “I didn’t even know you were there.”
  • Deliver impactful, on-brand visuals that help retreat companies market their experiences authentically.

Highlight Moment


A standout moment was capturing the entire group jumping off the boat into the sea, a perfectly planned drone shot that sums up the energy of the week.

Modern white architectural structure with people gathered inside at sunset creating a dramatic silhouette against the sky.
A person lying on a wooden deck with a striped pillow under their head in a relaxing pose.
Hands using chopsticks to create colorful soap bubble art on clear glass plates against a wooden surface.
Students practicing yoga poses on mats with wooden blocks in a sunlit studio during a fitness class.
Paddleboarder glides across calm blue waters of a mountain lake with distant peaks on the horizon.
People relaxing under a brown sunshade on a boat deck with mountains and blue water in the background.
Person relaxing on a sailboat deck with mountain coastline and blue waters in the background.
Person in black swimwear floating peacefully on calm blue ocean water with sunlight sparkling on the surface.
A glass bowl of vanilla ice cream topped with chocolate chips and served with fresh fruit and nuts on a wooden table.
Hands serving and sharing various dishes at a dinner gathering around a wooden table.
Fresh mozzarella cheese slices drizzled with olive oil and seasoned with cracked black pepper on a white plate.
Hands serving a slice of chocolate dessert from a round pan onto a white plate with spoons and bowls on a table.
A row of rustic stone cottages with terracotta tiled roofs nestled against a hillside in a Mediterranean landscape.
Orange canvas tote bag with white Nectar text shown from multiple angles against urban background.
Someone sitting on stone steps against a rustic Mediterranean wall in a casual summer outfit.
Small Mediterranean marina with boats docked at a waterfront village nestled against green hillsides under blue skies.
Panoramic view of a coastal landscape with modern hillside homes overlooking a blue bay surrounded by green mountains.
Modern yoga studio with blue cushions and wooden floors overlooking a scenic mountain landscape through large windows.
Geometric shadows cast across blue tiled steps with a beige cushioned seat visible in the corner.
Panoramic view of sailboats anchored in a tranquil mountain lake surrounded by rugged peaks at sunset.

Reflection


This retreat marked another step in a long-term collaboration with Nectar. Each project builds on the last, expanding the visual story we’re telling together. Greece added a new layer — more movement, more connection, and a strong sense of place.


I've been planning the next phase of content for the last 18 months, since the first time I worked with Nectar in Marrakech: a hero video that will bring together footage from multiple retreats across different countries. The goal is simple, to capture the spirit of Nectar.

A Few Words from Nectar


“Des captures the retreat experience and energy beautifully. She’s so easy to work with and always brings creative ideas that help translate the retreat online, while being incredibly respectful of the attendees. Her imagery has directly led to new retreat bookings, and she’s truly become part of our yoga family. We can’t recommend her enough.”


— Nectar Retreats

Let’s capture it together.

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