itinerary

an invitation from emilie

With such a long and uncertain year finally coming to an end, I’ve never been more hopeful for the possibilities 2021 will bring. This year was an overwhelming journey for us all and with travel coming to a complete pause I found myself in an unfamiliar place. Not being able to wander off to new destinations around the globe to capture new photographic work and connect with other creatives was a challenge.

Although I feel I’ve truly begun to understand the meaning of slowing down. At a time when our approach to travel is changing, and restoring nature’s balance is more pressing than ever, it’s crucial we all re-evaluate the reasons and ways we choose to travel. It is within the midst of this uncertainty that we must focus on the good, find the joy and beauty in the everyday and appreciate what is around us. A reminder to reflect upon this chaos to find the lessons it can teach us all.

I’ve never been more excited to explore more of my homeland together! There is an endless amount of untold beauty throughout Australia and I am looking forward to rediscover and connect with the stories of our ancient landscapes.

Join me for a 4 day ethereal full moon retreat throughout the magical Mungo National Park. This is somewhere I’ve always dreamed of exploring, an other-worldly landscape under the full moon to learn, connect and create magic together!

Mungo National Park provides a unique photogenic backdrop so this is the perfect place to learn first hand and capture the beauty of the landscape. Along with @jasoncharleshill we will be sharing our love for meaningful storytelling through photography and offer a very exclusive one on one experience to learn directly from us. We will be there to help guide you as you develop your point of view and capture this incredible experience - a much needed opportunity for us all to connect creatively and learn together!

This is an opportunity open to everyone! No past experience is required — From very beginners to more advanced. It’s about learning, embracing & most of all having an adventure of a lifetime & I can’t wait to share this unique experience with you all!

emilie x

meet your host

Wandering far and wide with a camera in her hand – Emilie Ristevski is an Australian photographer and the creative mind behind @helloemilie. Built upon natural light and curiosity, her work brings beautiful moments to life through meaningful storytelling.

With nearly 10 years of professional experience in the creative arts industry, Emilie has partnered with some of the world’s leading travel and lifestyle brands including Adobe, Lonely Planet and many more. A wild at heart wanderer, her projects are driven by her need for exploration and a desire to conserve and capture the fleeting details that often go unseen.

With an innate sense of adventure and a fascination for the unknown her collection of work documents her appreciation for the natural beauty found throughout our world. Her prominent style of dream-like imagery has led her to all corners of our planet from remote villages in South America to the wild landscapes of Iceland, Namibia and everywhere in-between.

Emilie’s work aims to encourage her audience to seek a deeper connection with nature and themselves, in the hope to discover a new found love for our beautiful planet we call home.

location

This will be our oasis in the surreal desert! We are staying in the closest lodge to the national park, and it is really all about the location. The cabins are clean and comfortable, with high ceilings, air conditioning, fans and large bathrooms. The room set-up is twin-share, so we will buddy you up with someone else on the trip. There’s a private deck to take in the bush vistas. The lodge also has a large lounge, fireplace and chairs where we can recap on the day’s captures.

This is sacred land, and we will have a First Nations guide introduce us to the incredible stories of the land – from ancient burial sites to the intrinsic songlines here. It’s an archaeological wonder, with the oldest human remains in Australia found here from 40,000 years ago, the second oldest only to Africa. The Mungo Lady and Mungo Man were preserved by the low humidity and sand conditions. Remains continue to be found, with some uncovered just months ago. This land has an energy that has to be felt.

 It’s a style of Australia you may not have seen before. There are goats, kangaroos, scrub bushes and saltbush. It’s a mind-boggling expanse that has been a meeting place for millenia and converges on the First Nations country of Mutthi Mutthi, Barkindji (Paakantji) and the Ngyiampaa. The spiritual significance of this land is critical to both Australia and to the world, as the world’s oldest example of complex burial rituals dating back two ice ages.

inclusions:

• a portion of profits donated to First Nations children empowerment charity Children’s Ground

• First Nations welcome to country and guided experience of the stories, burial sites and importance to First Nations communities

• all meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

• professional photography from the trip shared so you can put your phone down

• celestial photography workshop

• full moon rising experience with a field shoots from dusk to the blue hour

• sunrise guided tour on the lunettes

• golden light workshop

• image enhancement, editing and post-processing workshop

• storytelling through images for social and your personal brand

• finding perspective, composition and depth of field for those ‘in-between moments’

exclusions:

• travel to and from mungo national park

• alcohol

faq’s

What if COVID affects the trip?

We will be watching the border and health situation very closely. Rest assured that if COVID impacts the trip we will postpone to a later date, and if that isn’t feasible, we will offer refunds.

How do I get there?

It is a 6 hour drive from Adelaide and Melbourne, and approximately 10 hours drive from Sydney. If you wish to fly, Mildura is the nearest airport. A car will give you the freedom to explore the national park during free time, although we will have plenty of time out in the field too.

 Do I bring my own equipment?

Yes please – bring your camera and lenses and tripods. Also bring a laptop, as we will have a processing and editing workshop that will be invaluable to your work as a photographer.

 I have no experience in photography – can I still come?

The trip is open to al levels, and beginners to advanced will benefit from the training. Emilie usually runs workshops overseas, so this is a rare opportunity to experience the magic locally in Australia. The only requisite is that you have a camera that you love. Beg, steal and borrow if you don’t have one!

 What’s the accommodation like?

We are in a remote location and have chosen the highest quality lodge in close proximity to the national park. The rooms are twin share, with everything you need for a comfortable stay. The trip is less about the accommodation and more about the location, learning and connection. We’ll be up every day for sunrise!

 Should I drive?

It will give you more access to explore if you have a car. We’re eco-conscious, so we’d love to car-pool: once booked, we’ll be in contact with you to see if we can help hook you up with a nearby traveller!

Can I come with a friend?

Solo travellers will immediately connect with the group and friends will likewise have a great time connecting with the group. If you're coming with a friend, and want to be roomed together, let us know in the rooming configuration box at purchase. If you're coming with a partner (or someone you're close enough to share a double bed with), let us know at time of booking and we will contact you with further details.

Will I have downtime?

There will be time to chill and read a book on your deck or go for long country walks. The activities are of course optional, so if you feel you want to sit one out, just let us know!

Will there be alcohol?

You can bring your own drinks and also purchase them at the lodge.

Is it COVID safe?

We will be watching the border and health situation very closely. Rest assured that if COVID impacts the majority of travellers we will postpone to a later date. If that isn’t feasible, we will offer partial refunds (the deposit is non-refundable).

What is your refund policy?

The terms and conditions are here. We will be flexible if the trip is impacted by COVID border closures.

How do I pay to confirm my place?

You have two options: pay in full or pay the $500 deposit. If you pay the deposit, we will require payment in full 25 days prior to the trip start date.

Any further questions?

Hit us up anytime through the contact link at the bottom of this page.