McMenamins
Hotel, travel, and lifestyle campaign for McMenamins
ABOUT THIS PROJECT
This lifestyle, hotel, and restaurant and bar photography project for McMenamins took place over the span of several months and many adventures. This family-owned chain of brewpub-historic hotel-music venues is absolutely full of whimsy and subsequently has a cult following here in the Pacific Northwest.
The partnership was coordinated and arranged through Maxwell PR + Engagement, and I was given a very expansive creative license. Rather than photograph each destination from head to toe, the goal was to be as authentic as possible, choose my own adventure, and document from the heart. I was given a passport, a itinerary was arranged, and the story-telling commenced. That said, one of the most interesting challenges of this project was that I was my own subject, meaning a lot of carefully composed self portraits were taken throughout. Some of which feature my boyfriend and travel partner.
The combination of photography and self-portraiture, copy writing, and travel made my partnership with McMenamins truly unique and creative exercise.
About McMenamins
McMenamins is a family-owned chain of brewpubs, breweries, music venues, historic hotels, and theater pubs in Oregon and Washington. Many of their locations are in rehabilitated historical properties; at least nine are on the National Register of Historic Places
INSIDE THE PROJECT
A LOOK INSIDE HOW THE PROJECT WAS STYLED AND PHOTOGRAPHED
ELK’S TEMPLE
McMenamins latest establishment at the time in the heart of Tacoma, WA. Elks Temple was originally built in 1916 and sat vacant for several years until McMenamins reopened it as a seven story hotel/restaurant/bar/concert venue masterpiece this April. With this adventure came such a deep level of appreciation for McMenamins and the way they pour so much love and honor into old, historic places.
KALAMA HARBOR LODGE
Continuing on with the tour, we found ourselves finishing the evening at Kalama Harbor Lodge. Situated on the Port of Kalama, it has to be one of the most aesthetically pleasing locations you could possibly enjoy a beer or wine flight. And don’t get me started on its lovely headboards.
McMENAMINS CRYSTAL HOTEL and BALLROOM
This was not my first time at Crystal Hotel by any means. In fact, it was where I stayed the first time I visited Portland in 2014. This was, however, the most exciting time. Not only did my passport take me on a full tour, but it just so happened to be Pride Weekend and McMenamins was hosting their own block party in celebration.
Like all McMenamins establishments, Crystal Hotel has many stories to tell through its incredibly rich and colorful history. In addition to highlighting its many pasts, I wanted to also put emphasis on its LGBTQ+ roots in honor of Pride Weekend.
McMENAMINS SIX ARMS
McMenamins first came onto my radar in 2011 when I met my friend Lee. To this day, he is the bar manager of Capitol Hill’s Six Arms Pub, and a slammin’ mixologist at that. Each season, he writes a menu of (mostly) punny craft cocktails. Each has received rave reviews, some even from the owners of McMenamins themselves.
The holiday menu, year after year, is my absolute favorite of his. I would be lying if I said I didn’t think about Lee’s secret eggnog recipe all year long. And if the eggnog doesn’t get you, “Sithmas Tree” certainly will (especially when Lee garnishes it to look like Baby Yoda!) So when December rolled around, I offered to highlight Six Arms for not only its bright and cozy environment, but the atmosphere and quirkiness behind it.
