September 16 -Â 20 (2026)
an intimate retreat built around boudoir photography and art, for the everyday women
Life moves fast. Between work, family, and endless to-do lists, most women rarely take the time to pause, breathe, and focus on themselves. This retreat is your invitation to do exactly that. This 5-day (4-night) retreat blends self-growth through boudoir photography and the process of creating art, to leave you feeling refreshed, empowered, and deeply connected to yourself.Â
'If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.' said Vincent Van Gogh.​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​You do not need to label yourself as an artist to get empowered by your inner creativity. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​
This one is for the women who's always wanted to book a boudoir experience, the ones who's booked multiple boudoir experiences, the ones who never even thought about the benefits of boudoir...Â
For this retreat, we've mashed together time in nature, self-growth, boudoir experiences and creative art, all in one place.
This is the ultimate boudoir experience.
This one is for you.
Why this retreat?
Inspired by Misty Moss (Vancouver boudoir photographer), with her Bare and Souls Retreats. We felt a pull towards bringing together our own version of this retreat, closer to home, designed specifically for the busy woman on the go.
Through self-expression, this retreat encourages you to focus on you, let loose, without judgement, in a safe space and free from society’s pressures or standards.
A bunch of boudoir experiences, a variety of creative art-based workshops and activities, mindful beach walks, fireside chats and tea sipping, countless surprises!​​​​​​​
Ultimately, this retreat is about letting loose, leaving space for creativity, choice, freedom, and personal empowerment. If your heart wants to rest and simply enjoy the moment, that is perfectly welcomed. That being said, there will be plenty of down time to relax and recharge between activities!
Why time in nature?
'Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished' (Lao Tzu). In her own time, nature is the creator, yet she is also the masterpiece. This retreat includes time in nature, as just like us, she is imperfect, yet beautiful, and powerful. Nature is a masterpiece, and so are you! This retreat is your pause, your space to release your creativity, judgement free AND discover the masterpiece that you are.
Not enough of us spend time, just being, in nature. Nature is grounding, transformative, inspiring, refreshing. Nature also reduces stress from daily life, helping us to step outside our comfort zone. Nature also offers a break from technology and everyday distraction, this boost creativity.
For this retreat, we intentionally picked a location close to the water, with an outstanding view, access to the beach and beautiful sunsets. Being close to water, has a calming, peaceful effect, it helps spark creativity.
Why boudoir photography as a basis for this retreat ?
Over the years, boudoir self-portraiture has been one of our most profound well-being practices. It has held us through seasons of self-doubt, body disconnection, grief, mental health struggles and change. It has helped us build a better relationship with ourselves.
For many of us, our bodies have been looked at, judged, compared, corrected, or ignored for years. When one steps in front of the lens for a boudoir experience, something shifts. They become both the artist and the subject. The creator and the creation. That experience can be deeply empowering and reconnecting.
Contrary to some beliefs, boudoir photography is not about a perfect body, posing, seduction, or performance. It is about presence, about returning to the body. This is why we call it a boudoir experience, not a boudoir photo shoot.  It is not about the images alone. The images become souvenirs of the growth, the transformation.
Through our work with other butterflies, we have watched this same shift happen again and again. We have watched people arrive uncertain and leave expanded, grounded, radiant, with a huge smile on their face. There is a moment  where something opens, where self-consciousness loosens and self-recognition appears. It is like watching wings unfold in real time. This retreat is built on that transformation.
Why art as a basis for this retreat ?
Alongside the boudoir experiences, this retreat is also built around art, we will have multiple art workshops, designed to help create without judgement, unwind, and reconnect with the intuition.Â
Following the same idea, creating art is one of our favorite way to process emotions, changes, and to reconnect with ourselves. That being said, this does not refer to creating art as obtaining the perfect end result. Rather, it is about being in the present moment, focusing on the process, being intentional. As Bob Ross said in his painting shows, there is no mistakes, only happy little accidents. Creating art than becomes an act of self-love and acceptance.
Lately, we've caught ourself repeating the same phrase over and over: people need more art in their life. Not art as in a final object to look at and critic, but art as in the process of creating while enjoying the process, and letting go of expectations. Research shows that creating art in this manner, reduces stress significantly, and allows us to process difficult emotions.
We deeply believe there is an artist hiding within each of us, that only just needs to be released.
An inclusive experience (all packages include)
4 nights in a private waterfront house in Charlo (New-Brunswick, Canada) with access to the beach
Access to house amenities (hot tub, back deck, game room)
All meals and tea/coffee breaks
Art workshops for self-discovery, expression, self-growthÂ
Pastel workshop by a super special guest and outstanding artist, Louden Bouchard
Access to the creation area, diverse art material and auto-workshops at anytimeÂ
Private boudoir experience
Hair styling before the private boudoir experience
Group boudoir experience
Access to limited selection of Ash wardrobe
Loads of down time to rest, create, explore
Welcome kit
Thank you gift bag upon departure
Loads of surprises!
Only 5 spots available
Are you ready to take a pause from society to discover your inner creative with a small group of like minded butterflies ?
Are you ready to invest in your own wellbeing ?
Are you ready to let loose and create ?
But most of all, are you ready to get empowered ?
The accommodation : The Oakes HouseÂ
A stunning private waterfront home in Charlo (New-Brunswick, Canada), with access to the beach.Â
It was important for us to have a space close to nature, especially close to water, this one does not disappoint with its breathtaking view of the bay.
This spacious home is newly renovated, and features 5 bedroom, 2 bathrooms and a game room (football table, arcade, tv). We specifically picked this home, to allow each of the butterflies to let loose and have fun creating, while protecting their own space and intimacy. The back of the home features a very large deck, a 6 person hot tub and a firepit, perfect to unwind.
A glimpse at the schedule
We've put together a varied schedule of activities such as boudoir experiences, creative photography sessions, art workshops, walks on the beach, fireside chats, tea sipping, surprises, and more... We will have a special guest artist come in with specially curated pastel workshop for our small group, but if you feel like simply resting, do what feels right for you, no pressure.Â
While other participants are getting their private boudoir experience, you will be invited to hangout, to use the creative area, to relax, to enjoy the house amenities. The creative area will have a options of activities/workshops to do if your heart feels like it. This is your personal moment, your intimate pause, do what your heart wants.
(Please note that the schedule is still subject to changes)
Day 1 : Arrival
Arrival and welcome, check-in is at 4PM
Evening of welcome activities, get your welcome kitÂ
Tea, snacks and chat
Day 2 : Self-portraits and photography day
Early-morning mindful beach walk for the early risers, weather permitting
Breakfast time
Moment for journaling, all materials included, if you already have a journal you can bring it along
Morning of boudoir self-portrait workshop with Ash, bring your phone/camera
Lunch time
Afternoon of private boudoir experience for two butterflies, free time to rest, to create, to explore for the other butterflies
Diner time
Evening of boudoir and art discussion, fireside tea sipping and fun, weather permitting
Day 3 : Photography day and body paint stamp
Early-morning mindful beach walk for the early risers, weather permitting
A moment for journaling
Breakfast time
Morning of private boudoir experience for one butterfly, free time to rest, to create, to explore for the other butterflies
Lunch time
Afternoon of private boudoir experience for two butterflies, free time to rest, to create, to explore for the other butterflies
Diner time
Evening of body paint stamp workshop with Ash, all materials included
Fireside tea sipping, weather permitting
Day 4 : Pastel and photography​​​​​​​
Early-morning mindful beach walk for the early risers, weather permitting
A moment for journaling
Breakfast time
Morning of creative photo shoots (for Standard and VIP packages)
Lunch time
Afternoon of pastel workshop with a super special guest, an outstanding artist, Louden Bouchard, all materials included
Diner time
Evening of group boudoir experience (indoors and outdoors, weather permitting)
Fireside tea sipping, weather permitting
Day 5Â : Bye byes
Early-morning mindful beach walk for the early risers, weather permitting
A moment for journaling
Testimonials (optional)
Pack and say goodbyes​​​​​​​
Included in each package :
4 nights accommodation at Oakes House, in your own bed
Access to the house amenities such as hot tub
Access to the beach
All meals
Snacks and tea/coffee time
Art workshops​​​​​​​
Pastel workshop with invited guest artist, Louden Bouchard
Access to the creation area, diverse art materials and auto-workshops​​​​​​​
Mindful beach walks and loads of down time to rest, create and explore
Private boudoir experience
Hair styling before the private boudoir experience
Group boudoir experience
Access to limited selection from Ash wardrobe
Welcome kit
Thank you gift bag upon departure
Loads of surprises!
Only 5 spots available
A moment to be fully present
This retreat is not a place to gather, and drift into everyday roles or conversations. This is not to disappear into care taking, comparison, or external concerns. For the time of this retreat, you are invited to step outside those identities. Leave the worries at home.
This is a space to meet yourself. To create. To feel. To explore. To have fun. To simply be.Â
A place where you are allowed, and encouraged, to focus on what you are experiencing in the precise moment. ​​​​​​​
Packages and investment
Entry package (only 2Â available)
4 nights in shared room, own single bed
Access to the Oakes House amenities such as the hot tub, the game room
Access to the beach
All meals
Snacks and tea/coffee time
Diverse workshops and activities
Pastel workshop with invited guest, Louden Bouchard
Access to the creation area at all times during the retreat
Welcome kit upon arrivalÂ
Thank you gift bag upon departure
Access to limited selection from Ash wardrobe
Private boudoir experience, 15Â images included
Hair styling before the private boudoir experience
Group boudoir experience, all successful images included
Loads of surprises!
$ 1 209Â
Standard package (only 2 available)
4 nights in private room
Access to the Oakes House amenities such as the hot tub, the game room
Access to the beach
All meals
Snacks and tea/coffee time
Diverse workshops and activities
Pastel workshop with invited guest, Louden Bouchard
Access to the creation area at all times during the retreat
Welcome kit upon arrival
Thank you gift bag upon departure
Access to limited selection from Ash wardrobe
Private boudoir experience, 35Â images included
Hair styling before the private boudoir experience
Group boudoir experience, all images included
Creative photoshoot session, all successful images included
Loads of surprises!
$ 1 689Â Â
VIP package (only 1 available)
4 nights in private room
Access to the Oakes House amenities such as the hot tub, the game room
Access to the beach
All meals
Snacks and tea/coffee time
Diverse workshops and activities
Pastel workshop with invited guest, Louden Bouchard
Access to the creation area at all times during the retreat
Welcome kit upon arrivalÂ
Thank you gift bag upon departure
Access to limited selection from Ash wardrobe
Private boudoir experience, all successful images included
Private shower boudoir experience, 15 images included
Creative photoshoot session, all successful images included
Group boudoir experience, all successful images included
Loads of surprises!
$ 2 139
Payment options
We offer flexible ways to join this retreat, choose the option that feels accessible to you!
Pay in full at registrationÂ
Pay the entire amount upon booking and unlock 10 bonus add-on images
Equal monthly payment plansÂ
Split the investment in equal monthly payments, payment plan must be set up within 7 days of booking, full amount must be paid 30 days prior to retreat
Extended payment plans
A longer payment schedule, options available upon request
Choose the method of payment that works best for you:
Interac e-Transfer save on processing fees
Credit card processed securely via Square, approximately 2.8% + $0.30 processing fee charged each payment
Monthly payment plans are managed through Square recurring invoices, with automatic reminders and secure online payments options
Cash payment by arrangement only
Important notes:
Retreat packages are non-refundable.
You may transfer or sell your spot to another “butterfly” (participant) if you can no longer attend.
No discount or promotional offer can be apply on full price, can only be applied on photography portion of the retreat.
This retreat is a creative and personal growth experience and not a substitute for professional therapy.
Meet your host, Ash !
I’m Ash, your nomad photographer, self-portrait expert, event organiser, and artist of many mediums. Just your queer, not-so-typical, not-so-fancy, nature-loving, silly, funny, clumsy, passionate, and intense but relatable photographer artist.Â
I’m a mental health advocate and a lover of all things creative and human-centered. In 2023, I earned my bachelor’s degree with a specialisation in Human Resources, and I’m currently completing my Master’s. Alongside this, I work part-time as an assistant researcher while constantly refining my photography skills. Butterfly Shots Photography was launched in March 2022, and has kept on growing ever since.
While I explore many creative outlets, painting, drawing, colouring, writing, podcasting, re purposing old object... Photography is always where I return. Through self-portraits, I love exploring different characters and documenting my own growth over time.
This retreat is an extension of my work and my philosophy: to create a safe, playful, judgement-free and inspiring space where people can explore, express, and celebrate the masterpiece that they are freely.Â
I can’t wait to meet you, guide you through boudoir photography and art, and see you leave feeling empowered, refreshed, and fully connected to your inner creative.
Questions & AnswersÂ
Who is this retreat for?Â
This retreat is for anyone identifying as woman longing to reconnect with their inner creative.
No artistic experience is required, only openness and curiosity. That being said, it is also open to artists and creatives.
No artistic experience is required, only openness and curiosity. That being said, it is also open to artists and creatives.
What does “Release Your Inner Creative” mean?
This retreat is about gently letting go of perfectionism, self-doubt, and external expectations so your authentic creative expression can emerge, freely and playfully.
Do I have to participate in all the activities ?
Everything is invitational, you always choose your level of participation.
Everything is invitational, you always choose your level of participation.
I don’t consider myself creative. Is this still for me?
Yes, creativity is not about talent or skill here, it’s about expression, curiosity, and reconnecting with yourself. Many participants join precisely because they feel disconnected from creativity.
Is this like a therapy?
No. No. NO. This retreat is a creative and personal growth experience designed to support self-exploration and expression. It is not a substitute for professional therapy or mental health treatment.Â
What is included in the retreat?
Your retreat package includes accommodations, all meals, creative workshops, guided experiences, boudoir photography, and nourishing shared experiences.
What is not included?
Travel to the retreat location.
Can I come alone?
Absolutely, and many participants do. This is a welcoming, supportive environment where meaningful connections naturally form.
How many participants will there be?
This is an intimate retreat, limited to a maximum of 5 participants.
What are the payment options?
We offer pay-in-full, monthly plans, and extended plans.
E-transfer, cash, or credit card (Square processing fees apply).
Full details are in the Payment Options section above.
E-transfer, cash, or credit card (Square processing fees apply).
Full details are in the Payment Options section above.
What is the cancellation policy?
Retreat packages are non-refundable.
However, you may transfer or sell your spot to another participant if you can no longer attend.
However, you may transfer or sell your spot to another participant if you can no longer attend.
I feel nervous about joining. Is that normal?Â
Very. Stepping into creativity and new spaces often brings vulnerability. You will be welcomed gently, without pressure, and exactly as you are.
What do I need to bring to the retreat?Â
In general, we recommend: comfortable clothing for movement and relaxation, layers for indoor/outdoor comfort, swimwear/robe for hot tub, desired lingerie/outfit/props for boudoir experiences, any personal creative tools you love (journal, camera, sketchbook, etc.), any personal items that support your comfort and grounding (no judgement remember?)
What should I bring for the boudoir experience?
You’re invited to bring any outfits or items that help you feel comfortable, expressive, inspired, sexy. This may include lingerie or intimate wear, cozy or draped fabrics, robes, oversized shirts, or meaningful garments, personal accessories or symbolic items, or nothing at all... nudity is welcome if that feels aligned for you. Both the solo and small-group boudoir experiences are approached with deep respect, consent, and artistic intention. You are always free to choose your level of comfort and participation. The idea of this experience is gentle expansion, stepping slightly beyond familiar comfort zones in a safe and supportive space. You’re welcome to bring anything you’d love included in your images.
How should I prepare for the retreat?
No special preparation is required. You are invited to arrive exactly as you are. Closer to the retreat, you’ll receive a Retreat Preparation Guide with optional suggestions to help you arrive grounded, open, and ready to receive the experience.
Will I receive information before arrival?
Yes, all participants will receive a Retreat Preparation Guide closer to the retreat. This guide will include: what to bring and how to prepare, travel and arrival details, details on what is included, retreat rhythm and expectations, gentle pre-retreat reflections (optional), you’ll feel fully informed and supported before you arrive.
Booking the retreat begins with this short form.
Fill it out, and I’ll personally reach out to connect and guide you through the next steps.
Fill it out, and I’ll personally reach out to connect and guide you through the next steps.
Thank you for taking the time to fill this form, we will be in contact with your shortly!
