Westin Bellevue | Seattle Travel + Hospitality Photographer

Often when I travel for hospitality and destination photoshoots, not only am I photographing the space itself but also crafting lifestyle images that help to tell the story of the space. In this project with Westin Bellevue, I was able to debut the brand new suite design, and also to photograph the experience of the property. We highlighted in-room amenities like top-notch room service (always fun to flex my food photography muscle!). Westin also has a partnership with Peloton where they will bring one into your room, which we also had to capture. Making commercial photography feel candid and warm is always my goal. I love when brands drift from traditional stock photography goals and incorporate an elevated lifestyle and storytelling perspective into their marketing. This shoot also incorporated some UGC-style images for social media usage.

And yes, it’s me in the shots! I’ve devised a self-portrait system so that I can quickly hop into the frame to bring some human interaction into spaces. It’s a little song and dance but it works! For projects that don’t have extensive budgets for models, I’m happy to stand in.

Thanks for having me, Westin team!

Crafting Brand Authenticity: A Deep Dive into the Influence of Commercial Lifestyle Photography

The landscape of marketing and brand representation is constantly evolving, and visual content stands as a powerful tool for creating a lasting impact. Your brand’s digital visuals are the front door into your brand experience, and give your future customers and clients and sneak peek into their experience with you. It’s something I think about with my clients on a daily basis, and I’m feeling chatty today, so let’s chat commercial lifestyle photography and how it has the potential to elevate your brand aesthetics to unprecedented heights.

A Fresh Approach

We are inundated with images, standing out requires a fresh perspective. In order to participate fully in today’s digital consumer culture, you need marketing that spans high end photography and video and candid, user generated (UGC) content. As a commercial lifestyle photographer, I’m thinking about all of the media channels you use (or will use in the near future) when I’m working. It's more than just capturing perfectly crafted moments; it's about infusing your brand with a distinctive and human vibe that sets it apart in the market.

The Captivating Power of Visual Content

Human beings are inherently visual creatures, and the impact of striking visuals on brand perception cannot be overstated. My approach goes beyond the baseline – I aim to create an emotional connection between your brand and your audience. Through carefully curated imagery, we strive to evoke feelings, tell stories, and leave an impression with your customers.

Making a Lasting Impression

In the fast-paced digital age, attention spans are fleeting. To truly make an impact, your brand needs visuals that resonate instantly. In my decade of experience, I’ve learned what images are worth making and how to compose a shot that endures, shaping perceptions and fostering brand loyalty.

Tailoring Aesthetics to Your Brand Essence

One size does not fit all in the world of branding. Our team understands the nuances of your business, and our photography and content is a reflection of that understanding. Whether you're aiming for sleek and modern or warm and inviting, your brand is welcome. My skills and experience build to a place of getting to know your brand, and interpreting it visually.

Beyond the Ordinary: Creating Shareable Content

In the age of social media dominance, shareability is key. Our commercial lifestyle photography doesn't just stop at creating visually appealing content; it's about crafting shareable moments that resonate across platforms. I keep things in mind like taking shots in multiple orientations for optimized usage across all platforms, from Instagram to email. Elevate your social media presence with images that tell a story, engage your audience, and spark conversations. Your photos are delivered in a user-friendly digital gallery with no watermarks. No confusing back and forth.

Ready to Transform?

Talking brand imagery is my favorite, and even more, meeting my clients and building lasting relationships aligns with my highest values. I would love to connect with you about your business. The clients that I work with range from interiors and architecture to small business to Airbnb hosts, to travel and hospitality, to massage therapists and artists and beyond. Reach out by email at emily@emilykeeney.com anytime.

Lifestyle Brand Photography in Seattle | Bamboo Abode

Creating a visually stunning brand is an art form, and capturing your product in a visually beautiful way is so impactful to the development and success of your brand identity. In commercial photoshoots, not only is the goal to attract new customers, but to hone in on the story that your brand tells so that it attracts raving fans vs just driving individual conversions. Planning your photoshoot is a collaborative process between us, and the more you’re able to bring to the table the better the result.

This recent shoot with Bamboo Abode is the poster child for what happens when a brand has done their homework and planning to create a beautiful shoot. There is enough structure for success while leaving some white space for improvisation and the unpredictable moments where light shines in in just a certain way.

1. Inspiration and Theme: Start by gathering inspiration for your photoshoot. Consider the vibe you want to convey – is it rustic and cozy, modern and chic, or perhaps a blend of both? Choose a theme that aligns with your brand and the message you want to send.

2. Location Scouting: Seattle is brimming with photogenic locations that can enhance the visual appeal of your charcuterie board. Make sure the location complements your chosen theme and provides ample natural light for those perfect shots.

3. Product Design: Before the photoshoot, carefully curate your products to reflect your brand's aesthetic. Consider the color palette, textures, and arrangement of elements. When you’re going for a brand photoshoot, it’s less about featuring every single piece you offer and more about creating an intentional collection to tell the strongest story.

4. Props and Styling: Enhance the visual storytelling of your brand by incorporating props and styling elements. In this shoot, we used elegant serving utensils, rustic cutting boards, fresh herbs, and decorative plates to add a touch of sophistication to the photos. Consider the overall color scheme and choose props that complement the theme and mood of your shoot. We brought the products to life with a lifestyle portion to the shoot models interacting with the product.

5. Plan & Outline: Think about the final use of the images you’re creating. Where will they be used? What orientation will the need to be shot in to provide the crop ratio you’ll need? What are the most important themes you need to explore? Using all of this information, draft an outline. Even if the shoot strays a bit from this, it will ensure the most important elements are covered. I love leaving space for inspiration to strike and for improvisation. I’m happy to help in the production but am not a brand agency, so the more direction you come into the shoot process with the better the result.

Enjoy these photos from our Bamboo Abode shoot! Shop their beautiful products here!

Of The Earth | Seattle Branding Photography

What a beautiful thing it is when your good friends are your creative community are your clients. Court Walker’s ceramics studio, Of The Earth, was the original reason she and I connected. Then, we found kindred spirits in one another as working creatives, navigating the ins and outs of running a business and pursuing art-filled passions. “Picture day” has become a celebration of the work we do every day to surround ourselves with creative energy and to invite community.

Located in the Georgetown neighborhood of Seattle, Of The Earth is a creative’s dream with soaring ceilings, a super cool loft community space, as well as all of the makings of an expansive ceramics studio. Court has intentionally filled the space with materials, supplies, and PEOPLE who contribute a glowing creative environment. This, obviously, is a total pleasure to photograph. The vibe comes first before anything, and man does that deliver here. Add in some magical string lights and west-facing windows and it’s a total dream come true. These “branding sessions” never feel contrived. People simply come to the studio, do their thing, and I watch and capture. It’s my favorite kind of branding work and there are zero mentions of #girlboss. ;D

ENJOY.