Behind the Scenes of the Fort Berens Holiday Campaign

There’s a special kind of magic in stepping into a holiday brief and letting a full vision unfold from the ground up. When Fort Berens approached me about creating their holiday campaign, I knew right away that this wasn’t going to be “just a product shoot.” It needed to feel like something — warmth, gathering, celebration, and that quiet, glowing stillness December brings.

And for the first time in a long time, I stepped in front of the camera myself.And yes — I dragged Kevin in too.

Sometimes the best way to tell a story is to live inside it.

Designing the Vision With Intention

Every element of this shoot was chosen with purpose. I fully styled the entire set — from the decor to the props to the palette of greens, golds, and natural textures. Nothing was placed “just to fill space.” Every detail had a reason.

I created a charcuterie board to anchor the table, chose meaningful décor, and sourced intentional pieces to build a scene that felt festive without feeling staged. Decorative greens, candlelight, natural textures, and holiday elements all worked together to create a warm, inviting atmosphere that complemented the Fort Berens brand.

I even styled myself to blend seamlessly into the palette — so that if I slipped into a frame, I felt like part of the story, not an interruption.

Bella Vita Florals partnered with me again (truly the best creative collaborators), lending décor and greenery that aligned beautifully with the vision.

But the most sentimental detail came from a single conversation.

The Hand-Strung Tangerines — A Dutch-Inspired Symbol

Colleen from Bella Vita suggested adding fresh citrus — a nod to Fort Berens’ Dutch heritage, where oranges and tangerines symbolize generosity, abundance, and the sweetness of the season.

So I went to the store, bought fresh tangerines, and hand-strung each one on wires myself.

Slow, intentional work — but that’s where the soul of a set comes from.

The soft glow of the fruit, the way they caught the warm holiday lights, and the handmade charm of each little wire added a layer of authenticity and meaning you can’t fake. It’s the kind of detail that makes viewers feel something, even if they can’t quite name why.

That’s the difference between decoration and storytelling.

Stepping Into the Scene

I don’t often appear in my commercial work, but this shoot asked for a sense of human presence — real hands, real gestures, real movement. So I stepped in.

And then Kevin — supportive, patient, mildly bewildered Kevin — stepped in as well.

We poured wine, plated bites, adjusted props, and moved naturally through the space like a real couple settling into an evening celebration. Those small, genuine movements gave the images an effortless warmth that would be impossible to stage with static posing.

These aren’t models pretending.These are real moments, captured honestly.

A Campaign Crafted With Care

This shoot wasn’t rushed or thrown together. It was:

• Fully styled and art-directed from scratch

• Built with handcrafted, symbolic elements

• Created with intentional décor and holiday greens

• Made in creative partnership with local collaborators

• Lit and photographed with precision

• Brought to life with real people in the frame

• Rooted deeply in Fort Berens’ story and heritage

This is the work I love.This is the direction 2026 is already shaping up to be — deeper into storytelling, deeper into intention, and deeper into commercial photography that feels more like art than advertising.

Fort Berens trusted me with their holiday vision, and together, we created something warm, meaningful, and beautifully alive.

And I can’t wait to do more.