There’s something surreal about photographing a place you move through every single day.
This Christmas tree lighting felt different from any shoot I’ve done before. Not because it was bigger or louder, but because it was familiar. I know the doors, the walkways, the moments before guests arrive. Being able to step into that environment with my camera instead of a headset felt both grounding and exciting.
I focused a lot on the quieter moments. The way the lights reflected off the windows as the sky faded. The contrast between the deep reds of the holiday décor and the soft greens of the surrounding trees. A glass of wine by the fire, with the hotel sign just out of focus behind it. These are the images that feel the most honest to me, the ones that capture how the night felt, not just what it looked like.
This shoot also meant a lot on a personal level. Getting to photograph an event for the hotel I work at, a place that’s supported my growth and trusted me creatively, felt like a huge step. It was one of those moments where everything clicked: hospitality, storytelling, and photography all overlapping in a way that felt natural and earned.
This won’t be my last time photographing here, and I’m really grateful for that. But this first big shoot will always stand out. It reminded me why I started doing this in the first place; to capture moments that feel lived-in, warm, and real.
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