There are certain creative experiences that feel like a dream brought to life. Well co-creating with the dining department at Tampa’s University of South Florida was definitely THE manifestation. Kat, the regional marketing director for Chartwells, hired me for a week long branding photoshoot centered around one of my favorite things: FOOD.
The Experience:
Yes, the working days were sometimes 12 hours long. Our fuel was a vegan protein bar from my pocket. It was blazing hot outside in the middle of summer. We could also say, the food being photographed would not have been my first choice of nourishment.
Nonetheless, I stayed at the Aloft, a hotel that I admire for its art decor in the lobby. The creative team was beyond accommodating, helpful, full of ideas, and fluid. The staff at each of the dining locations were genuinely kind and productive. The student models came to play the part: well groomed, patient as hell, and willing to go along with all of my shenanigans.
Not to mention I got to explore a different town with a plethora of new coffee shops, breakfast joints, downtown river walks, and art museums.
An Oath To The Universe:
Let this be a testament that I much rather labor on a daily for 12+ hours and limitlessly problem solve to bring your visions to live, if it means doing something I truly enjoy. And also get paid for it? I must say, with the icing on top, that it is both a gift and a privilege.
With a great deal of planning, electrolytes, and human power we saw this opportunity through! We did it with smiles, sweat, and whole lot of improvising. Timelines were made, shot lists were checked, tours were taken, golfcarts were driven, props were implemented, caffeine was injected all with the purpose of making Chik-Fil-A nuggets, among other college treats, the main characters of the show.
So grab some pop-corn, find a comfy chair, and enjoy the first and only showing of USF’s Dining Visual Collection!
Wooowww impresionante y fantástico trabajo! ¡Espectaculares las fotos!