Last October, I flew back to LA from Paris for one of the biggest campaigns I’ve worked on: Guided by Nature.
The idea was simple but powerful: let nature lead the way.
We were inspired by the outdoors, the sense of freedom it gives, and how that aligns with Seek Discomfort. Vision boards were made. The product lineup was ready. And we picked the perfect place, Sequoia National Park.
I was especially nervous going into this one, mainly because I didn’t know anyone on the shoot. The models and the videographer were complete strangers. And since I was in charge of photography, campaign production, and the long drive there and back, I really wanted everything to go perfectly. It was a lot to carry, and the nerves were real.
But from the moment we hit the road, something clicked. Instead of strangers, I found teammates. Instead of stress, it felt like an adventure. We laughed, we learned what “scrambling” is (thanks Amanda), and of course, I made sure we hugged a sequoia tree before we left.
The goal was for everyone to have a good experience (spoiler: they did!). That meant more to me than anything else. The photos and videos turned out even better than I imagined. Not just because of the landscape, but because you can feel the joy in them.
As the day came to a close, we pulled over to watch the sky explode into a cotton candy sunset. No words, just five people who started the day as strangers, standing together in silence, soaking it all in.
Huge shoutout to Josh, Amanda, Philip, and Nolan. Can’t wait to make more magic with you in the future.
- Dez