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.
Kin Slips
Product and lifestyle photography for a sublingual cannabis company.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
This was a full product content creation project I conducted for California-based Kin Slips, a company that produces cannabis infused sublingual strips. At the time of this project, they offered three blends that all served different lifestyles and purposes. The client wanted both lifestyle and product flat lays for web and social media use that highlighted these lifestyles.
I’m not a huge fan of THC products these days, but for the sake of being fully immersed in the product and lifestyle, I experimented with the microdose version of each. As we dive deeper into this blog, I will briefly talk about my experience with each and how it contributed to the inspiration behind the images.
About Kin Slips
Kin Slips offers compact, portable blends of cannabis infused sublingual strips. In other words, weed that dissolves under your tongue that give you a precise dose quickly! They are formulated for positive effects on lifestyle and health, and are all 100% natural plant based.
INSIDE THE PROJECT
A look inside how the project was styled and photographed
MEET CLOUD BUSTER
A BLEND FOR CREATIVE ENERGY AND FOCUS
Or as I like to call it: "The one that makes you wanna do stuff." Cloud Buster is crafted with cannabinoids and terpenes commonly found in sativa strains. It's made with productivity in mind, and has flavor hints of tarragon and citrus. My extremely active roommate (pictured left) loved this one for the gym. I, on the other hand, don't think I was cut out for the hyper focus this one gave me! Try going on a picnic with a new boyfriend and trying to keep your cool when all you can think about is what to put on your grocery list. Yep. That was me.
MEET PARK LIFE
A BLEND FOR CALMING COMFORT AND RELIEF
AKA "the one that makes you want to zen out in nature." I just love this one. Park Life is formulated with pain-relieving cannibnoids and terpenes commonly found in CBD strains. With its 10:1 CBD to THC ratio, it's a great addition to a wellness routine without a crazy high (so perfect for me!) It has flavor hints of mango and turmeric, which gives it kind of a tropical but spicy flavor. My friends I shared the product with and I had a blast trialing this one on hikes.
MEET NICE DREAM
A BLEND FOR EASYGOING BALANCE AND TRANQUILITY
Otherwise known as, "The one that suddenly makes you a bath bomb and Netflix binge extraordinaire." These days, they're calling it "Float On," but I'll always remember it as Nice Dream, because that's exactly what it was. It's composed of relaxing cannibinoids and terpenes you'll find in indica strains. Kin Slips claims it's ideal for "taking the edge off after a hard day's work or relaxing by the pool." Pools are far and few up here in Seattle, so I relaxed by my Netflix machine instead. While it pours rain. outside. It's got flavors of mint and watermelon, which also happen to make for good cocktail ingredients. Also one of my favorite ways to relax after a hard day's work!
333 Dexter by Kilroy Realty
Seattle lifestyle photography for Kilroy Realty’s SLU building 333 Dexter.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
This was a Seattle lifestyle photography project for commercial real estate developer Kilroy Realty. My contact from the company, Michelle, reached out in regards to photography for their latest development in the South Lake Union neighborhood, 333 Dexter. The photos would be used as a visual representation of the lifestyle a future tenant could lead while living and working in the South Lake Union neighborhood of Seattle.
One of the greatest parts of this project was watching 333 Dexter’s development from an idea to a building. Being that I live inner city, I pass by it quite frequently. It seems like just yesterday it was a model on a table, and now it’s slated to be home to Apple’s latest location in Seattle. Now that’s a pretty exciting thing to be a part of!
About Kilroy Realty
Kilroy Realty is a real estate and investment trust company based in Los Angeles, CA. They pride themselves on having a sustainable, innovative business approach as unique as their work spaces.
INSIDE THE PROJECT
A LOOK INSIDE HOW THE PROJECT WAS STYLED AND PHOTOGRAPHED
As stated above, the objective of this project was to create a visual representation of the South Lake Union neighborhood. The project took place over a span of two days and focused on tech workers in their late 20s to early 30s living, working and dining in popular locations within walking distance of 333 Dexter.
For the sake of being budget conscious, all models involved in this project were either employees of Kilroy Realty, or non-professional models recruited by me via a casting call. That’s right - not a single model in this entire bunch! Just in between moments captured between two small groups of complete strangers.
MORE FROM THIS SESSION
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Sugar Suite Skincare
Seattle small business photography for Sugar Suite Skincare
ABOUT THE PROJECT
This is an ongoing Seattle small business photography project for local esthetician Sugar Suite Skincare. I first met Sabrina, founder of Sugar Suite, when I was on the hunt for a lash technician within walking distance of my home. She was conveniently located just across the street from my apartment, and so began our friendship and ongoing partnership.
If you are considering whether or not the Super Sweet Suite package is a right fit for you, this write up about my work with Sabrina may help you with your decision.
About Sugar Suite Skincare
Sugar Suite Skincare is a charming beauty boutique in the heart of Seattle’s neighborhood, Capitol Hill. Inside offers a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere, where each service is a private one on one treatment. Their services are performed by highly experienced and trained professionals, using only advanced techniques and quality beauty products.
INSIDE THE PROJECT
A LOOK INSIDE HOW THE PROJECT WAS STYLED AND PHOTOGRAPHED
The work you will find in this series consists of a healthy mix of lifestyle, product, personal branding, and lifestyle photography. It maintains a light, bright and clean theme throughout, perfect for a consistent Instagram feed and website.
The goal was to give Sugar Suite Skincare visual creative and a culture that was all its own. Many skincare salons settle for stock images of models, but Sabrina wanted her business to only show authentic experiences that future clients can expect to have at her salon. All products and models in this series are real clients and real products Sugar Suite Skincare stands by!
