Case Study: Award-Winning Design Starts with Award-Winning Photography. How Professional Images Helped Splendid Design Win a National Competition

Case Study: Award-Winning Design Starts with Award-Winning Photography
How Professional Images Helped Splendid Design Win a National Competition

When South Florida–based interior design studio Splendid Design finished a refined bathroom remodel, they knew it had award potential. But to stand out in a national design competition, especially one as competitive as the 2025 NKBA | KBIS Design Awards, presentation was everything.

That’s when they brought me in to photograph the space. Together with their creative team, we styled and documented every angle with purpose. Between capturing the materials, textures, lighting, and layout in a way that did the work justice.

These were the very photos submitted to the NKBA competition. And they paid off.

Result: Splendid Design won a $2,000 prize and national recognition.

This case perfectly illustrates why professional photography is not a luxury – it's a strategic investment. Awards, magazine features, and clients rely on visuals to form first impressions. In this case, the photos helped transform a completed project into a nationally celebrated design.

Want to give your next project the spotlight it deserves?
Let’s talk: www.thejprojects.com

See the winners: NKBA | KBIS 2025 Winners

Case Study: The Deco, South Beach – Visual Storytelling That Drives Engagement

As part of a visual content refresh for The Deco, South Beach, I was brought in to photograph the hotel and its surrounding neighborhood to align with the company’s evolving creative direction, moving toward a more editorial, story-driven approach. The objective was to go beyond traditional property shots and capture a sense of place, one that would resonate with travelers looking for authenticity, vibrancy, and culture.

Expanding the Brief with Editorial Vision

While the initial creative brief focused on highlighting The Deco's interiors and amenities, I identified an opportunity to broaden the visual narrative by incorporating elements of the surrounding South Beach neighborhood, its iconic Art Deco architecture, renowned Caribbean-influenced cuisine, and dynamic local culture.

One standout example of this was a spontaneous sunrise shoot I did of a lifeguard stand painted in Pride colors. Though not on the original shot list, I recognized its value as evergreen content, assets that could be repurposed year-round for multiple channels, including:

• Holiday social media posts (e.g., Pride Month, Fourth of July, summer campaigns)

• Email newsletters

• Blog content

• Press kits and earned media

• SEO-driven landing pages

This image, along with others from the shoot, was later featured in Sonder’s blog post, Passport to Pride, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and neighborhood storytelling.

Case Study: Sonder Revival Apartments English Bay. Elevating Perception Through Strategic Photography

In Fall 2023, I was commissioned to photograph Sonder Revival Apartments in Vancouver’s English Bay. The goal was to capture the personality of the property and present it in a way that felt inviting, aspirational, and true to its coastal urban charm.

Visual Strategy: Bridging Historic Character & Modern Comfort

The brief emphasized the need to preserve the character of the building while showcasing its refreshed interiors. I approached the shoot with two key objectives:

1. Highlight the unique heritage architecture with warm, natural lighting and thoughtful composition.

2. Convey a lived-in feel that would make potential guests envision themselves relaxing in the space. Whether enjoying a morning coffee by the window or taking a short 5 minute walk to the nearby English Bay beach.

Making deliberate choices in lighting and framing to create images that felt editorial, clean, and emotionally resonant. Natural light and context-driven details helped the apartments feel more spacious, elegant, and rooted in place.

The Results: A Shift in Perception & Guest Experience

In the months following the shoot, I began noticing a spike in positive guest reviews. Comments praised not only the location and comfort but also the “look and feel” of the apartments. Many describing them as “beautiful,” “exactly as pictured,” and “better than expected.” This feedback directly reflects the kind of trust high-quality photography helps build.

Here’s what changed after the updated visuals went live:

• Increased Positive Reviews: Guests began specifically referencing the aesthetics of the space in their reviews—something not as common before the photo refresh.

• Improved Booking Confidence: Professional, aspirational images reduced uncertainty for travelers and helped align expectations with the real experience.

• Enhanced Listing Presence: The photos stood out across listing platforms, making Sonder Revival Apartmentsmore competitive in a dense hospitality market like Vancouver.

A Collaborative, Professional Production

This was not a solo effort! I worked closely with a seasoned prop stylist and on-site producer, both of whom brought years of hospitality and editorial experience to the project. Together, we crafted each room with intention: carefully styled surfaces, lived-in moments, and visual narratives that would appeal to Sonder’s target guest: design conscious, travel savvy, and comfort driven.

Strategic Visual Direction

Our approach was to move beyond sterile, wide-angle “real estate” imagery and create photos that were:

• Aspirational yet authentic, capturing how it feels to stay there

• Consistent with Sonder’s updated visual brand, which favors clean, editorial aesthetics

• Context-aware, subtly highlighting the surrounding neighborhood atmosphere and natural light patterns

We paid close attention to textures, color tones, and composition to give the imagery a timeless quality.

The Take Away

This case underscores the tangible ROI of professional, story driven photography. When visuals are not just accurate but emotionally appealing, they do more than show a room. They tell a story that guests want to be part of. For Sonder Revival Apartments, this translated into stronger guest satisfaction, better reviews, and higher booking conversion.