Darian Kaia

Save your money and go to another retreat.

I’ve always wanted to shoot at sea ranch. When I saw Darian post about launching a sea ranch retreat and what was promised, even though it had a higher price tag, I was super excited and optimistic to sign up. As I approached the shoot I heard from multiple photographers their negative experience at her other styled shoots/retreats and I still remained optimistic, giving it the benefit of the doubt that it would be beautiful (as it is sea ranch after all). There was minimal communication with Darian before the shoot, and once the details were sent there were several inconsistencies that other attendees raised concerns over - not having a second couple, and saying that she wasn’t going to have a flat lay. Many things that were advertised were did not happen. Although she has now taken down the advertisement for it, here is what was listed and what was delivered. 2 model couples, one bride, groom, and one engagement couple (was only going to have one couple until the day before), 28 set landscape & ceremony (this was delivered, although the ceremony location changes multiple times and the choice of ceremony location was not my favorite/not in the iconic sea ranch ceremony spot), luxury florist installations (the florist did a beautiful job, her work is incredible), hotel room for getting ready (we did not have a hotel room at sea ranch for getting ready, instead they got ready at her Airbnb), security on site for gear (did not have this), 5 designer dresses (only had two, although they were unique, I felt as though they did not match the vibe that was advertised and they are hard to pass as a luxury dress someone would actually wear there, as it can be quite chilly), luxury custom cake display (did not have this), flatly details and drone (flat lay did not have the right location on it, date, and it was obvious those details were thrown together quickly), 1 on 1 time with the couple (we did not get this, and it felt as though Darian was in front getting the shot the entire time), snacks throughout the day (did not get this). Overall the experience felt not thoroughly thought out, lacking intention, and that it was a photoshoot for her to get the photos that she wanted. I felt disappointment multiple times throughout the day of how minimal shooting time we had with the couple, how the schedule got pushed back, cut short, and false advertisement of many things. I also felt bad for the model couple, who was very sweet, because of the cold. The dress had no lining, and was very chunky crochet lace, and the poor girl was so cold that we had to cut our sunset shoot time with her significantly (and I also felt bad because I imagine she felt a bit exposed, withy be wind cutting through the fabric). One of the positives from the shoot was the florist, whose arrangements and tablescape were stunning. Overall, although Sea ranch was BEAUTIFUL, there were so many inconsistencies with what was promised vs actually happened, that I cannot in good conscience recommend her retreats to anyone. The whole experience felt very disingenuous, and I left feeling disappointed, as with much more planning and care on her end (which I felt we paid for in the $3200 price tag), it could’ve easily been well thought out. I have been to some fantastic photography retreats hosted by other creatives and planners, and wish that I had saved my money and waited for one of their content days at sea ranch.

Don’t advertise for things you choose not to make happen. If a group of people is paying you money, the least you can do is give everyone what was promised.

Her ad said 8 hour shooting day but there was literally so much down time throughout the day...

I've always wanted to go to styled shoot at Sea Ranch and saw that Darian was hosting one so I signed up. She promised an 8 hour shooting day. This included:

- 2 couples, 1 bridal couple and 1 engagement couple
- 28 set tablescape
- 28 set ceremony
- Luxury floral installations
- Full access to sea ranch
- Hotel room for getting ready
- Security on site to protect gear
- FIVE designer dresses
- Luxury custom cake display
- Flat lay details & drone
- 1 on 1 time with the couple
- Snacks throughout the day

She created an instagram thread with all of the attendees and we barely ever heard from her in the thread unless it's just her reminding people to pay her. Which could've been a lot more organized had she had a portal that included all of the attendees invoice and how much people owe.

TWO days before the shoot, she finally messages this thread giving a very loose timeline of what's going on for the actual shoot. In this message, she shared who our couple was. But it didn't dawn until a few hours later that she only introduced one couple. In her ad, she advertised that there would be two couples. An attendee commented that they were under the impression there would be two couples for the styled shoot. Darian then said "from what they (venue) told me on the phone, we are not allowed to split up and have multiple shoots going on at the property at once without them being supervised, so that is why we are doing them at multiple properties." Which this doesn't make sense at all because I've seen other styled shoots hosted there before with multiple couples. If this is the case, she was not fully transparent at all and was not planning on letting us know that there was not going to be a second couple. Her response didn't really make sense, but in simple term, she was basically saying that there isn't going to be a second couple.

But also, if she's hosting a styled shoot here at this venue, she would've been in contract with venue before setting up an ad. Therefore, you're telling me her ad was false advertisement? I'm starting to see the holes and red flags in her at this point. She then also wrote "I do still have a second couple coming on call. My final in person meeting is tomorrow when we arrive so if they in person say yes and we're allowed to keep that second couple with us on site they will be there at 6pm-sunset." How strange!! How do you go from "venue doesn't allow multiple shoots and doesn't allow splitting up" to now saying "if venue says yes, i'll have the second couple ready to go" there's no way a couple is just willingly readily available for a shoot. She literally was going to not mention this at all. Like how are people okay with this?! Glad someone brought it up to the group chat. She did end up finding a second couple and it was the hair and make up artist that did the hair and make up. LOL. Nice save... Even when the MUA pulled up with her fiance, we asked "is that our second model?!" Darian said "no that's our make up artist" Like what's up with her not being transparent? We don't find out until the end of the day that the MUA and her fiance were the second set of models. With that being said, I don't think Darian fully intended on having a second couple, she asked the MUA very last minute.

The other red flag was Darian messaging the thread "every shoot i've done no one ever cares about the invite suite is that something you guys would like to have? or not worried about it" Mind you this is literally TWO days before the styled shoot which only meant she clearly didn't put thought into it and is just assuming all her future attendees wouldn't care for that experience. I'm sorry but your past attendees have nothing to do with us, and if they didn't care for it, that's fine, but we are literally paying you $3200. If that's the case, she should've asked for opinions months in advance not two days before. In her ad, she mentioned flatlay details... like why advertise that if you're not going to deliver that full experience of having a flatlay?! There were attendees voicing that they want invitation cards to build portfolio and yes, she did have one but it was from another shoot, on another day, and in Utah.

With that being said, the flatlay was kinda of a bust since the invitation was from a different date and there was no rings provided.

There was no getting ready photos at the hotel... it was actually at the airbnb.

There was no "security on site to protect gear" not like we needed it, but again, why advertise something that you're not going to deliver? It's literally just a bunch of words on an ad that did not hold value.

There was no 1 on 1 time with couple.. There was literally 11 of us. LOL. and plus the second couple didn't even start until 6-7pm.

Her ad also mentioned 5 designer dresses... The model only wore 2.

Her ad also mentioned luxury custom cake display... That was not there.

In her ad is also says "drone" which is so misleading. Almost making it seem like she's providing the drone images to attendees.

There was also no snacks provided. Again, why advertise if you're not going to do it. She definitely fell short on a lot of the things that she advertised.

I truly thought this was just a one off bad styled shoot. Until I met 2 other girls that attended her Greece retreat and they had a bad experience with her. Dropping the ball once, can be forgiving, but if this isn't your first rodeo, it seems more like a pattern and a money grab opportunity.

It's just so disappointing seeing these "big photographers" host styled shoots, charging a lot of money only to not uphold on their end! She has a second date she's doing at sea ranch, originally was supposed to be 7/29 but it got rescheduled to November. I guess some girls can't make it for the November date and Darian messaged the 7/9 sea ranch attendees to reshare and repost the ad. NO thank you. Because why would I actively want people to waste that much money for a styled shoot. Good luck to to the future attendees. $3200 could be more useful for something else.

Stop beefing up your ad if you're not going to hold up on your end. Some things advertised may not be a big deal but its the principle. Stop overpromising and under-delivering.

Only book retreats that are for photographers you’ve followed a long time, have seen other retreats, and know will provide and more to the mood boards and vision and know u trust them as a person from the relationship built online.

Was offered a last minute discounted ticket to attend, was still quite pricey but included stay so I decided it was worth it. Mood boards looked dreamy and seemed like an established photographer. It’s been a year and I’ve barely posted any pics because they look so flat. Props and layouts looked cheap, nothing like the inspo, in fact the only thing that was like the inspo even at all was the off the cliffs bride jump. I wouldn’t mind if it still looked good but it looked bland. The florist was carrying basically with the only real looking things in the scape. She seemed very uncoordinated with the retreat. Attendees asked for weeks for itinerary and details and we were literally flying by the time we finally got something. I was told that my ticket included transportation as well, even from the airport. I asked during my travel day information about pick up as I was nervous flying solo across the world as a young girl and she kept putting off an answer. Made me feel unsafe because of the unknown. Finally I landed to the tiny airport and I was left at the airport alone for about an hour with one other homeless person because she decided to tell me as I landed that she wouldn’t be picking me up because she had a shoot. Told me to uber. I tried but the island is so small nothing was available so I ended up waiting to be picked up by one of the models for the retreat.. I then asked about where I was staying to no answer. Finally was given details as I was driving. I was sharing a bed with another attendee which I put on my retreat paper that I picked to not share a bed, but whatever. Then as the shoots went on everyone was asking details about our shoot and she literally seemed to be making it up as we went. Models for one shoot ended up modeling multiple times for others, even photographers ended up modeling for thrown together shoots that we did just in front of our hotel.. whole thing just seemed ill prepared. And many attendees said they booked last minute at a discount, so I assume she had booked many slots at full price. The best part was the fellow attendees I met, and the ability to say I shot in Greece.. but so many of the shoots were so bland and flat. Only one spot to take pictures and lacked diversity with image depth and location. Went to the same location multiple times as well and even ended up shooting last minute at one of the models air bnb’s which didn’t seem to be what they had planned for. Even transportation I arrived and we all just squeezed into a car and luckily someone else had rented one that they could share since we couldn’t all fit in the hosts. Over all learned my lesson to never book with photographers just based on moodboards. Didn’t get the photos I wanted hardly at all but tried to make the best of it and still had a good time with the group. Met some lifetime friends and for that I’m grateful

Don’t over promise, try to claim 10 shoots but really only have like 4 and squeeze out random stuff for the rest, or create boards that look nothing like. Plan better, communicate better, and lower the price if quality of shoot is going to stay lower. I paid half and I still didn’t find it worth it, everything looked costumey and temu in terms of props and drapery etc . I can’t imagine those that paid full.

hearing from her retreats that happened after this there seems to be zero improvement in overall delivery of what is promised.

This review is a little different because I was actually a paid model who also joined a few shoots as a photographer, so I want to be transparent about that going in.

We took below our rate because Darian was desperate for models last minute, and since it was in Greece, we figured we’d make the most of it and help out someone we thought was a friend. I asked if I could shoot in the background at a few sessions (something I only do with permission, and I never take spots from actual attendees, always staying back). Since the travel was two days each way, I wanted to come away with some work to show for the trip. She told me I could shoot the wedding day, which was supposed to be a full day, and charged me $1,750 for it, more than we were even paid for modeling. I went back and forth on it and felt icky, but told myself it would be worth it for a great gallery. It wasn’t.

The lead-up
About a month before the retreat, Darian hired a local planner to help finish planning HER retreat, and at that point there was still no attendee lodging sorted and no venue locked in for the wedding shoot. The planner was inappropriate and rude the entire time, and it was clear Darian hadn’t vetted her, just handed her a to-do list and hoped for the best. I’ve since talked to several other attendees, and there’s a long list of ways Darian fell short of what she promised.

The Airbnb situation
We’d been given an Airbnb through a separate project that fell through (the photographer on that shoot couldn’t make it and offered us her place to cover the cost and lost work, which we were genuinely SO grateful for). Darian later paid that same photographer to have her florist stay with us too.

At one point, Darian didn’t have the cash to pay one set of models and ended up asking every attendee, along with my husband and me, to run to ATMs at 9 PM to pull together $1,000 in cash. Meanwhile, the models she owed sat at our house for an hour waiting on her to sort it out. It was a genuinely uncomfortable situation for everyone involved.

The bigger issue: the morning of the wedding shoot, I woke up at 2 AM to a group chat message announcing that the new getting ready and tablescape location was my Airbnb. (The table scape was supposed to be in the ocean and the wedding day at a venue). Darian never asked me if that was okay, and the space didn’t match the vision board at all for what was supposed to be an ocean-themed shoot: she promised a table scape in the ocean. The photographer whose name the Airbnb was under wasn’t asked or told either; she found out after the fact and asked me if a shoot had even happened there. My husband and I felt for Darian given everything going on with the planner, so we just helped get things ready. Realistically we didn’t have much choice since it was happening in our own house.

The shoots themselves
On top of everything else, Darian consistently stayed in front for every shoot instead of giving paying attendees first position to actually shoot. As someone who was there working, this stood out even to me, and I can only imagine how frustrating it was for the people who paid thousands to attend and get real shooting time.

The tablescape and getting-ready photos are unusable since they look nothing like what was planned. The sunset portraits turned out fine, but it’s hard to take a bad photo on a Greek beach at sunset, so that’s not saying much. Outside of that, I have no full gallery to show for the day.

I also joined two other shoots that had no styling, no direction, and no real setup at all, entirely on Darian’s end, not the models. One was a girl holding four oranges in a fishing village. The other was a couple in swimsuits on a slippery concrete walkway, also in the fishing village. There was no concept behind either one. The models themselves were beautiful and lovely to work with; the lack of styling and planning falls entirely on Darian.

Out of everything, only a few shoots were worth anything compared to what she charged and advertised. Worth noting: the night before the retreat, Darian and the florist did a private shoot that turned out stunning, clearly meant for her own Vogue submission, and it seemed like most of her energy for the week went into that rather than the retreat she was actually running.

Afterward
I decided to let it go for the sake of keeping things peaceful. Months later it was still sitting with me, especially once she started advertising six more retreats, including another one in Greece. That’s what finally pushed me to say something, considering I still hadn’t received the modeling photos she’d promised repeatedly. I have zero photos that actually tell a story, and she never once thanked us for everything we helped with, including letting her use our house.

I tried to resolve it privately and fairly. She ignored me for weeks, took zero accountability, and told me everyone else had a great time. She also lied to me about many things as her defense that I have direct proof of her lying. She told me she paid the photographer to use the Airbnb for the shoot but I was in full communication with her and she verified she was NOT. I’ve since spoken with four other attendees, who’ve spoken to others themselves, and no one feels they got what they paid for.

A few other things worth mentioning, not from my own experience but from other attendees: no airport rides as promised, no transportation, no meals, no separate bedrooms, no underwater shoot, and moodboards that didn’t resemble the actual shoots at all. She also charges top dollar and then before the retreat sells discount tickets to make extra money + selling associate spots for those who can’t make it. So unfair to all attendees who paid full price to go.

I want to be clear this isn’t a one-off. This isn’t the first story like this I’ve experienced or heard, and it isn’t the only one out there about her retreats either. If you’re considering booking one, please do your research and talk to past attendees first. Her retreats are all money grabs and will fall through on every promise made. Save your time, money, and energy.

Take accountability. Right your wrongs. Treat people with respect.