UNPLUG. PLAY. GET UNSTUCK.
RESUSCITATE YOUR CREATIVITY IN THE MOST RESTORATIVE WAY POSSIBLE.
Join Kara Marie for a 3-day, 2-night nature retreat in Texas Hill Country to unplug, play, and get creatively unstuck.
Reset vibes include:
Quiet nature
Your own tiny cabin (or shared with a friend)
No Wi-Fi
Creative exercises
Inspiring discussions
Campfire chats
Female camaraderie
Creative playtime
Hot tub soaks al fresco
Stargazing
Simple, nourishing meals
Artful photo documentation of you in an at-ease, natural state
As creatives, it’s common to know exactly what we need, yet freeze in action because we’re…well…exhausted.
Collectively, the general consensus is that photographers are overstimulated, under expressed, and a little stuck right now. I hear you.
I’ve spent the better part of 7 years studying creativity and its benefits on burnout while putting and I have to tell you— the answer is simpler than we’re making it.
Find your village. Prioritize simplicity. Sit in the sun. Turn off your screens. Move your body. Nurture your friendships. Talk to strangers. Invest in yourself. Play.
I designed the TOUCH GRASS creative retreat for an intimate group with maximum impact specifically with these soul-filling philosophies in mind. We will relax. We will go with the flow. We will laugh, likely cry, rest, and create. We’ll come away from this experience with a reignited creative fire and inspired ideas.
REQUEST A SPOT
The TOUCH GRASS Creative Retreat can accommodate a maximum of 8 people in 4 tiny cabins. It’s highly encouraged to bunk with a friend for maximum experience.
Please complete the form to request a spot, noting SOLO or DUO. If there is remaining space, you will receive an e-mail within 24 hours to confirm your spot with your 50% deposit. Remaining balance will be due on February 1st.
FAQ’s
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Just outside of Austin, the nature retreat sits on 185 acres of wild Hill Country landscape. The cabins are tucked into the trees, giving you space to relax, explore, and enjoy nature at your own pace.
Wake up with the sunrise, soak in the outdoor tub, and spend evenings under the stars.
PRIVATE TINY CABINS
Each of the identical cabins features a stunning picture window, private outdoor deck, and a cozy king bed. You'll also find under-bed luggage storage, a mini fridge, heating & AC, a full-length mirror, closet, and hair dryer. Every cabin includes a full bathroom with a rain shower and toilet. Well-lit paths lead you through the trees to your cabin for a peaceful arrival.
WOOD-FIRED HOT TUB
Tucked just behind each cabin, your private wood-burning hot tub is the ultimate nature soak. With just a few logs, it warms up in about 90 minutes. Recline in the built-in wooden loungers and unwind under the sky. Firewood is available at the Clubhouse for $5 per bundle. In the summer, use it as a cool plunge or toss in ice for a DIY cold plunge.
SHARED SPACES
Our Clubhouse is open to all guests and includes:
– Two propane grills
– Plates, cups, bowls, and silverware
– Basic cooking tools
It’s also a dreamy place to dine outdoors or chill in the hammock on the upper deck.
TRAILS
A scenic nature trail loops around the property, beginning behind the Sage cabin. Just follow the green arrows for a relaxing walk through native Texas landscape. -
Not really, no. While it’s built for photographers, the TOUCH GRASS nature retreat is more about resuscitating your creative juices than it is about photography-talk. There will be inspired discussions around infusing your life and your photography with more creativity from a relaxed state, and you will be welcome to play with your cameras (self portraits or photographing a friend) during the plentiful downtime.
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Pretty much perfect for a nature retreat, if I do say so! While there are no guarantees, statistically speaking, the end of February offers mild highs in the low 70’s and lows around 50. February also happens to be pretty low in precipitation, though with the shelters offered, we’ll still thrive whether rain or shine.
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As a gift, I decided to make it a point to photograph each person privately in their relaxed state in nature. This will be done organically at some point during the retreat when the time is right.
It is encouraged to be photographed as naturally as you’re comfortable…nude/implied nude and barefaced is highly encouraged, but not obligatory, to embrace yourself as you are.
The session will be roughly 30 minutes, and I will select one image to print and gift to you. You’ll be able to review your curated gallery within 10 days, and if desired, you may purchase additional individual images or your full gallery.
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Yes, given the intimate nature of this retreat and to be at our most relaxed natural state, we will be only women, and we will have the entire property to ourselves.
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The retreat is inclusive of simple, nourishing meals, snacks, water, and tea. My vision is to feed us only clean-ingredient simple foods that are easily enjoyed around a campfire and will aid in the detox process. That said, because food is so personal and people operate on very different diets, I will be taking an extensive poll of all guests about preferences, allergies, and dietary restrictions and we will agree on a menu together.
Everyone is welcome to pack whatever they’d like, as well. There is a mini fridge and microwave in each cabin, as well as a larger fridge and grill in the clubhouse that you will have access to.
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While I will leave plenty of space for discussions to flow organically based on the read of the group, I will have several topics prepared around building a creative day-to-day lifestyle for yourself, deepening your work, and finding your most authentic, unique approach to your craft that will draw in only the most aligned clients & audience.
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LOOSE and FLEXIBLE, darlings. After surveying the confirmed guests on activities we’d like to include, I’ll send out a more concrete answer. For know, know there will be nature strolls, 3 guided discussions/creative exercises , group-led campfire chats, and lots of downtime in between to read, soak in your hot tub, nap, journal, exercise, take self portraits, play a game, doodle .
The name of the game is DECOMPRESS…so no hyper scheduling. You won’t come away from this one needing a vacation.
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50% is required as a non-refundable retainer to book your spot, and the remaining balance will be due on February 1st. Payments are accepted via credit, debit, or PayPal (including PayPal credit if you prefer to do their 6 month financing option).
If you book as a SOLO reservation and later add a friend, your final balance due will be reduced by the discount difference (650, baby!).
This is a non-refundable booking, as great care is taken in the advanced planning and our expenses will be paid for each guest as soon as your reservation is made. You may transfer your spot to a friend at your own arrangement, and with approval of the new guest, in the case that you have an unexpected change.
Led By:
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Led By: *
Learn more about Kara Marie HERE.
Hi I’m Kara Marie; photographer of women, cheerleader of photographers, and incessant pursuer of a life that feels good to live in. As an American hustler with a proclivity towards epic burnouts, I created this experience for me, first.
Starting in 2016, I began by blocking out 3 days a year to go somewhere remote in nature by myself to disconnect, write, live on simple basics, and inevitably return full of new ideas and the enthusiasm and energy to put them into action. Eventually, I began including creative friends on these quests and deepened the experience so much.
My journey to help photographers is fueled 100% by GENUINELY wanting to help, not because I didn’t have enough photography work nor because I wanted industry recognition. I saw a void in education that promoted career longevity and watched so many industry friends struggle to find their stride.
As such, what I teach is centered in what I like to call “the good guy stuff”; establishing creative and professional values, taking outstanding care of your people and deepening your work while living and working in a way that feels really good to you.
Hope to see you soon!
XK
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