There are certain shoots that stay with you long after you’ve packed up the gear. For me, this one in Japan was exactly that. It wasn’t just the setting or the visuals we captured. It was the feeling behind the entire experience. We were working with InterContinental Ana Beu Resort & Spa, a luxury property tucked into the mountains of Ōita, the onsen capital of Japan. What started as another hotel campaign quickly became something a lot more meaningful.
This was a two-part project. The first phase was done before the property even opened, focused on conceptual photography and video to help create buzz. We were shooting offsite, leaning into the destination and the spirit of the resort before it physically existed. Months later, we returned for the full production. That second trip is what I want to talk about here, because it reminded me why I love this work.
Over the course of three weeks, we photographed and filmed everything from interiors to lifestyle to a full hero video. We worked in stages: product shots first, then lifestyle with a single model, and finally the brand video. That rhythm gave us time to settle in, learn the light, understand the flow of the property, and build trust with the client. By the time we moved into the more complex parts of the shoot, we were already in sync as a team.
What made this one special? For starters, I was genuinely inspired. The resort’s architecture, the minimalist design, the way it integrated with the mountainside—all of it just worked. Most shoots involve finding ways to hide distractions or work around limitations. Here, I found myself wanting to include more, not less. Everywhere I looked, there was something worth capturing. That kind of setting is rare, and it changes the energy of the whole process.
I also have to give a lot of credit to the team. We’ve worked together on a lot of campaigns, but something clicked here. Everyone brought their best. Our model, Erica, was a perfect match for the story we wanted to tell. Someone retreating into nature, finding space to breathe, rediscovering herself. She was effortless to work with, and that makes all the difference. It’s not just about how someone looks on camera. It’s about trust, comfort, and patience, especially when you’re asking someone to spend extra time in a hot spring for the sake of a shot.
The third big factor was freedom. The client trusted us completely. They gave us space to create and let us follow the light when it felt right, even if it wasn’t on the original shot list. That kind of trust isn’t something I take for granted. It made the work better, and it made us want to push harder. There was still collaboration, of course. They gave input on details that mattered—uniforms, dishes, cultural moments—and stayed out of the things they hired us to handle. It was a true partnership.
A few things stuck with me from this experience. First, if you’re a client investing in high-quality visuals and you know you’ll use them for years, do it right the first time. Don’t piece together quick fixes year after year. Second, if you’re on the creative side, build a team you can count on and make sure they know how much you value them. And finally, if someone trusts you with their brand, don’t take that lightly. Show up, go all in, and deliver something you’re proud of.
Every shoot has its challenges. Not every shoot has its magic. But when all the pieces line up – the place, the people, the purpose – it reminds you why you chose this path in the first place.
