I was so happy when my friend Lara invited me to photograph her yoga retreat in Portugal. Our story goes back to India, where we met during our yoga teacher training. Since then, we’ve been close… not only because we live near each other, but because we share the same values and love for yoga and photography.

For her retreat, Lara found the most magical place in the mountains of Monchique – Villa Folia. I had seen photos of it in the brochure, but when we arrived, it was even more breathtaking. Built into the hillside, the villa has so many hidden corners: a yoga deck with sweeping views, a swimming pool, a jacuzzi, hammocks, and quiet spaces to rest and reflect.

The weekend was full and vibrant. My role was to capture it all, not just snapshots, but the feeling of being there. For me, retreat photography is about storytelling: the light, the way people connect, the atmosphere of each moment. Photographing yoga classes is always a delicate task – I try to stay invisible, moving quietly so the practice isn’t disturbed. I also filmed little pieces with my phone so that we could share the “right now” moments on social media.

There was so much happening – sunrise and sunset yoga, hikes in the mountains, some went for a bike ride, and plenty of time to rest by the pool. One of the highlights was a cacao and sound healing ceremony held in the yurt — truly magical. And of course, the food was another experience of its own. A local chef prepared each meal with care, explaining the ingredients and inspiration behind the dishes. Everything tasted as good as it looked, with the mountains and ocean always as a backdrop.

It was such a joy to be part of this retreat – documenting not only the practices but also the connections, and the quiet moments in between.

If you’d like to see more, you can check out Lara’s Instagram and explore the beautiful venue at Villa Folia, also You can also find snippets from this retreat on my Instagram @present_practices

And if you’re planning a retreat and would love to have it captured in a soulful, storytelling way – I’d love to hear from you.

Kris x