Removing the Filter - A Meditative Photography Day Retreat with Whitney Tfankedjian

Removing the Filter – A Meditative Photography Day Retreat

 Date: August 24th 2025

Time: 12:00 PM – 6:00 pm with optional beach trip from 6:15 – 8:15 PM

Location: Nectar Yoga, Bowen Island

Cost: $222

 Event Description:

Immerse yourself in a conscious day retreat designed to help you reconnect with your inner self and view the world from a new perspective. Led by Whitney, a devoted yoga teacher and photographer, this experience offers a unique blend of meditation, movement, and creative expression, all through the lens of photography.

 Although we all live in the same world; we experience the world differently due to filters created from our past experiences. In this retreat, you will learn to understand the mental and emotional filters that shape your view of the world — the layers built by societal expectations, upbringing, and media. Through photography, meditation, and self-exploration, you’ll uncover a fresh, childlike perspective, as if seeing everything for the first time. By breaking creative boundaries and learning to see light and beauty in new ways, you’ll gain a deeper connection to yourself and the world around you.

 Optional beach trip from 6:15 – 8:15 is dependent if you have transportation to get there, Whitney will have room for 3 in her car, and you’re welcome to carpool with other retreat guests. Our optional beach visit will include grounding into our surroundings and a 10 minute mini embodied photo session for you with Whitney.

What to Expect:

– Meditative Photography: Learn how to capture light, experiment with your camera, and embrace the freedom of breaking traditional creative rules.

– A portrait of you taken both at the beginning and end of the day retreat.

– Self-Exploration: A chance to examine your own inner world, remove Samskaras (mental filters), and reconnect with your authentic self.

– Movement & Meditation: Gentle practices to embody the present moment and allow for deep self-expression.

– Creative Space: Time to explore the grounds, take photos, and engage in intimate discussions about your discoveries.

– Food provided: Enjoy gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and peanut-free options. Please feel free to bring your own food as well to make sure you’re well nourished for the day. Fridge available on Nectar grounds.

 What to Bring:

• Your own camera, film, DSLR, or mirrorless welcome (2 DSLR cameras are available if you don’t have one, and a disposable camera will be provided for you to use, digital copies of your photos sent after, and if you’d like a hardcopy mailed to you of your film photos there will be a $10 charge).

• Comfortable clothing for movement and meditation, if you’re coming to the optional beach visit consider bringing an outfit you feel embodied in.

• Transportation for the optional beach session

• Extra food + nourishment if you have severe allergies or intolerances.

 About Whitney:

 Whitney is a devoted Yoga teacher, student, and a passionate photographer. She works with spiritual entrepreneurs as a photographer and podcast host within her business Tulā – Community. With over a decade of experience, she combines her knowledge of Yoga and the power of visual storytelling to guide others in self-discovery and creative expression. She works with spiritually inclined beings and yoga communities, offering a heart-centered approach to both photography and teaching.

 Limited Spots Available: This retreat is capped at 12 participants to ensure an intimate, personalized experience.

Event Schedule: (You don’t have to include this I don’t think? But let me know how this is now?)

• 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Introductions and First Portrait

• 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM: Deep Meditation + Gentle Moving Meditation

• 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM: Outdoor Exploration – Sit with yourself, take photos, or chat with Whitney

• 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM: Food Break – Enjoy gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and peanut-free options. Please feel free to bring your own food as well to make sure you’re well nourished for the day. Fridge available on Nectar grounds.

• 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM: Group Sharing in the Dome – Discuss your insights and creative breakthroughs

• 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM: Closing Mini Meditation + Final Portrait

• 6:15 PM – 8:15 PM (Optional): Beach Breathwork + 10-Minute Embodied Photo Session