A soulful retreat in Mexico invites creatives to reconnect with craft, purpose and themselves.
There is a quiet intentionality to Kristin Piteo’s work, one that feels deeply rooted in emotion, connection, and an instinctive understanding of light. A longtime friend and contributor to Together Journal, her striking imagery has graced our pages and digital platforms many times, each feature reinforcing her distinctive visual voice. With a background in fashion and editorial photography, she has spent over a decade documenting weddings around the world, developing a language that is both refined and deeply sensitive. That same perspective carries over into Our Native State, a retreat she has thoughtfully created with some of the most talented wedding professionals in the world for photographers and creatives seeking something more expansive than technique alone.
In the sun-drenched town of Sayulita on Mexico’s Pacific coast, in a private sanctuary called Casa Rosada, a retreat unfolds with a grounded yet expressive energy. Here, photographer Kristin Piteo invites guests to slow down and reconnect, not only with their craft, but with themselves. Offering guided practices, immersive workshops, and a deeply considered environment, Our Native State is a space where art, wellness, and personal growth intersect. Morning yoga, sound baths, and restorative sessions sit alongside creative exploration, all designed to nurture a way of working and living that is less about producing and more about returning to presence, to purpose, and to what truly moves you.
Our Native State feels deeply personal. What led you to create it?
The initial spark came from a desire to create the kind of space I had been craving for myself, one where creativity, inner growth and genuine connection could coexist. So much of the creative industry can feel externally focused, and I wanted to offer something slower, more intentional and deeply nourishing. Our Native State was born from the belief that when we reconnect to ourselves, our intuition, and one another, our most meaningful work naturally follows.
You’ve built a strong foundation in fashion and editorial photography. How has that background shaped both your wedding work and the retreat experience?
It has taught me the importance of storytelling, atmosphere, and creating imagery that feels emotionally resonant. It trained my eye to notice nuance, light, movement, energy, and detail, and that naturally carries over to weddings and the retreat experience. Whether documenting a celebration or curating an immersive environment, I’m always thinking about how something feels as much as how it looks.
This retreat goes beyond photography. Why was it important for you to include elements like wellness, healing, and connection?
The quality of our work is so often connected to the quality of our inner worlds. I’ve found that when people feel grounded, supported, inspired, and connected to themselves, their creativity opens in a much more authentic way. I wanted the retreat to nourish the whole person, not just the professional identity.
How did the retreat unfold for you, and what were some standout moments that stayed with you afterwards?
The retreat unfolded with so much heart. There was a beautiful balance between intention and spontaneity, moments of learning, moments of stillness, and moments of real connection. What stayed with me most were the conversations people had when they felt safe enough to be honest. Watching women open up, support one another, and leave more connected to themselves was incredibly meaningful. Those quieter moments often felt the most transformative.
Casa Rosada in Sayulita is such a distinctive setting. What drew you to this location, and how did it influence the overall experience?
It felt immediately special. There was warmth, character, and a sense of ease that aligned perfectly with the vision. Sayulita itself has a vibrant yet grounding energy, and the setting encouraged people to soften, slow down, and be present. The architecture, natural beauty and intimacy of the space created an environment where inspiration felt effortless.
How have you personally evolved through creating and hosting this retreat?
The retreat asked me to trust myself in new ways. It required clarity, vulnerability, and a willingness to lead from a deeply personal place. Through the process, I’ve become more grounded in my values and more intentional about what I create. It reminded me that alignment often comes when we stop forcing and start listening.
What kind of growth or transformation have you witnessed in the creatives who attended?
I’ve seen people reconnect with parts of themselves they had put aside: confidence, curiosity, softness, creative freedom. Sometimes the transformation is outward, like renewed direction in their business or artistry, and sometimes it’s internal, like feeling more worthy, clear, or open. Often it’s both. What moves me most is seeing people leave with a deeper trust in themselves.
The visual and emotional tone of the retreat feels very considered. Can you share more about how it came together?
The retreat was brought to life through collaboration with an incredible team of creatives who deeply understood its intention. I’m very drawn to working with people who care not only about aesthetics, but about energy, meaning, and experience. Everyone brought their own gifts, and because there was trust and shared vision, the result felt cohesive and genuine, rather than overly produced.
Were there any unexpected or particularly meaningful moments that defined the retreat for you?
The late-night conversations, emotional breakthroughs, spontaneous laughter, people encouraging each other in vulnerable moments- those are the memories that stay with me. Creatively, it was also powerful to witness what happens when people create from a place of openness rather than pressure.
Will Our Native State return? How do you envision it evolving in the future?
It was never meant to be a one-time experience. I see it continuing to evolve thoughtfully, within the right timing, expanding into new locations, deeper themes, and experiences that support both personal and creative growth. My hope is that it always remains intimate, intentional, and rooted in genuine transformation.
Kristin Piteo brings the same depth and discernment to Our Native State as she does to her photography, creating an experience that feels both elevated and deeply human. Her ability to hold space for reflection, creativity, and genuine connection is what sets the retreat apart. It is not simply a gathering for photographers, but a considered environment for growth, where creative practice and personal wellbeing are given equal weight. For those seeking to move beyond surface-level inspiration and into something more meaningful, Kristin offers a rare opportunity to pause, realign, and create with renewed clarity. Our Native State feels less like an event and more like a quiet, lasting shift.
For more information, visit ournativestate.co/the-retreat and @ournativestate.
HOST & LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER Kristin Piteo @kristinpiteophoto PLANNER FOR STYLED SHOOT Mae&Co @maeandco_creative VENUE Casa Rosada @casarosadasayulita FLORAL Oh, Maria Flores @ohmariaflores PAPER Nonaked Design Studio @nonaked_design_studio TABLETOP Casa de Perrin @casadeperrin RENTALS Del Cabo Events @delcaboevents HAIR & MAKEUP Katie Matson & Jenn Chivers @ktmatson, @jennchiversfreelance MODELS Coty Childers & Rodrigo Azanza @cccoty, @rodrigoazanza
