Emily Nachazel and Matriarchal Leadership: The Empress Circle Retreat
This Is What Matriarchal Leadership Looks Like
There’s something truly special about being invited to witness — and document — women gathering in their full power.
This August, I had the honor of photographing The Empress Circle Retreat, hosted by Emily Nachazel, a Feminine Leadership Coach helping women shift from doing it all alone to leading as Rich, Connected, and Supported Matriarchs.
From behind my lens, I witnessed women laughing, crying, dancing, and celebrating their power. But what truly stood out was seeing their leader, Emily, guide the way with her baby girl in her arms.
It wasn’t a distraction or an inconvenience; it was the most beautiful part of the day.
This — right here — is what Matriarchal Leadership looks like.
It’s the new paradigm Emily is building and teaching: one where you don’t have to choose between your big dreams, your wild art, and being a devoted mother. One where your clients and community don’t just tolerate your baby — they celebrate her.
Rich, Connected, and Supported
Emily created this retreat for her Empress Circle members — women running businesses, leading movements, and creating new paradigms of their own.
The day was designed as a luxurious, soulful experience filled with ritual and reconnection: a tea ceremony, somatic masterminding, glam time, and intimate coaching.
I joined the group for the activation ceremony and the dinner — the closing experience where the women stepped forward as their full Empress selves. The room pulsed with laughter, reflection, and that rare blend of grace and power that happens when women come together in truth.
The energy that night was radiant and real — proof that leadership can be soft, soulful, and wildly feminine.
Documenting the Magic
My favorite moments are always the quiet ones — a glance of recognition across the table, a soft hand on a shoulder, a breath of stillness after a toast.
Those in-between moments tell the deeper story — not just of an event, but of what it means to be seen, celebrated, and supported as women in leadership.
That’s what documentary photography is for me: not just capturing how something looked, but how it felt.
For Coaches, Creatives, and Visionaries
Events like Emily’s are exactly why I offer documentary coverage for small businesses, coaches, and creative entrepreneurs.
Whether it’s a retreat, workshop, or behind-the-brand experience, I help you:
Capture the energy and emotion of your work
Document the authentic moments that define your brand
Create timeless, soulful imagery you can use in your marketing and storytelling
Just like with my family sessions, this is storytelling through presence — not poses.
It’s your brand, your energy, your story — exactly as it is.
Event Details
Event: The Empress Circle Retreat
Host: Emily Nachazel – Feminine Leadership Coach
Location: Reston, Virginia
Below are some of my favorite images from the evening — women gathered in presence, beauty, and power.
Interested in having your story documented?
If you’re hosting a retreat, workshop, or gathering that deserves to be remembered, I’d love to help you tell that story. My documentary approach focuses on real connection and emotion — the laughter, stillness, and energy that define your work.
Reach out to start the conversation and learn more about my Behind the Brand sessions. Let’s capture the heart of your business — exactly as it is. ✨
