Let’s talk about the power of collaboration…
When you find a brand that really aligns with your own, consider working together on a styled shoot! This will not only introduce a fun prop/element into your shoot, but you will also be able to split the cost, AND introduce your brand to a whole new audience.
I recently had the honor and pleasure of shooting for Kevin’s Fine Outdoor Gear & Apparel and 1861 Distillery in Thomasville, GA. Kevin’s is a southern family and an American success story, with 40 years’ experience serving outdoor sporting enthusiast from around the world. Garden & Gun said it best, “Imagine turning a quail plantation into a store, and you’d have Kevin’s”. Their designs are unique to Kevin’s and their gun room is as impressive as it gets. Google it!
And then there’s 1861 Distillery, founded by Brian and Jill Higgins. I’ve listened to Brian give his speech about what makes his spirits so special (and high quality), but what stood out to me was the distinct nature of the water he uses.
"A lot of people don't realize that Tallahassee and Thomasville sit on top of the North Floridan aquifer, which is some of the purest water in the world. The well at my house in Thomasville is tapped into that aquifer, and I've sent it off for testing and it comes back as pristine — almost the perfect water for distilling," Higgins said. "It's very low iron, it's got calcium, it's got all the trace minerals, the hardness, the pH ... everything is spot on. I think I could make the argument that our water down here in Thomasville is actually better for distilling than in Kentucky or Tennessee."- Brian Higgins
1861’s commitment to a slow distilling process and true ingredients produce some of the most magnificent Gins, Bourbons, and Vodkas around. So when Jill Higgins (1861 Distillery) and Kathleen Kelly (Kevin’s) met with me via Zoom to discuss ideas for a shoot in Thomasville, I couldn’t have been more thrilled to make the road trip down from Atlanta.
The Art of Storytelling
Whether it’s a brunch menu for a restaurant, or an entire collection of sporting apparel, I aim to tell a story with the images. I do not offer “shot on white background” catalog images. You know those (much necessary) images you see when you click to purchase an item online? Nope, not me. I would be the one shooting the photos that you see in press releases, print stories, Instagram, and anywhere that the brand is sharing content meant to evoke a feeling, and entice the viewer to want to be a part of the narrative.
Our theme here was “After the Hunt”. The idea was that this group had been out quail hunting on a plantation in South Georgia, and upon their return, celebrated their time together, as us southerners do, with a cocktail party. The set up was styled with linens, dishes, serveware, and glassware from Kevin’s. The clothing was all from Kevin's and the vintage wagon you see in the background in also part of Kevin’s personal collection - an authentic quail hunting wagon used during hunts from the 1800s until now. The beverage of choice - of course 1861 distillery’s distinctive dark-in-color variety of fine Gins.
The Planning Process
Planning out your shoots in truly half the battle. I use the Milanote to create moodboards with inspiration photos, location details, notes on timing for sunrise and sunset, a scheduled out shot-list, examples of editing style, and a color palette that I refer back to when editing. Here’s a screenshot of the larger moodboard I created for this shoot:
Milanote makes it easy to share the board with clients so that they can approve, or comment on the direction. Once the board is complete, we plan the props lists and got to work. I brought down a cooler full of fresh flowers, the appropriate camera equipment, my tall rain boots (it’s not often that I spend a day in a field shooting), and a can of smoke (seriously, look at the first pic below, I was hoping it would give me that morning fog look, although sometimes it gives more “field might be on fire” vibes 😳).
Overall, I was very pleased with the outcome. Kathleen and their whole team were extremely helpful and brought a HUGE truck filled with every type of prop we could need. Jill (1861) bought the spirits, ice, and even assisted me throughout the day by holding a diffuser to block the sun. That’s what you get when the client is also a friend. Special shout out to Mr. Charlie Whitney, a fine art painter and business owner in Thomasville, GA who graciously allowed us to use his vintage Land Rover as a prop, and served as one of our models. His only payment was fine Bourbon and cigars.
Next time you visit Thomasville, GA (or perhaps even Tallahassee, make a detour to visit Thomasville), make sure to check out Kevin’s and then stop in to 1861 for lunch and craft cocktails. If you’re interested in discussing ideas for a styled shoot for your brand, publication, or venue, shoot me an email at monica@monicafarber.com
