When luxury travel advisor Baylee Markward sought to enhance her online presence with compelling visuals for her new website, I was thrilled to collaborate. For professionals in the travel industry, strong Travel Branding is essential to stand out and connect with discerning clients. Baylee, an independent advisor and travel designer with upannaway, a boutique travel agency, understood this need perfectly. As a fellow Ohio State alum and someone whose travel inspiration I regularly admire on Instagram, I was excited to help her bring her brand to life through photography.
For her travel branding photoshoot, Baylee discovered an incredible mountainside Airbnb outside of Boulder, Colorado. This location, recognized by Condé Nast Traveler and loved by Airbnb guests, offered everything we needed to visually represent her brand. The floor-to-ceiling windows promised stunning natural light, and the panoramic mountain views perfectly mirrored the sophisticated, jet-setting image Baylee embodies. The exquisite décor of the Airbnb was the final confirmation – this was the ideal backdrop for capturing her travel branding aesthetic.
The day of the shoot presented an unexpected challenge. Denver, known for its sunny skies, decided to offer us a cloudy day for our session. Despite the forecast, our optimism remained strong. Our 45-minute drive to Boulder turned into a 2.5-hour snowy adventure, complete with snow squalls and slow traffic. The Airbnb host even called to warn us about mountain driving conditions! Undeterred, and thanks to Baylee’s four-wheel drive, we persevered. Upon arrival at the mountaintop Airbnb, we were literally in a cloud.
Initially, the cloud cover hid the mountain views, but it unexpectedly created a unique and atmospheric element for the first part of our travel branding photoshoot. The diffused light was incredibly flattering and added a sense of drama to the images. Then, as if on cue, just as we neared the end of our session, the clouds parted. A brilliant blue sky emerged, revealing the majestic mountains in all their glory. This dramatic shift in weather gave us the best of both worlds, adding incredible variety to Baylee’s travel branding visuals. We captured images with both a moody, cloud-infused backdrop and a bright, sunny mountain vista, ensuring a diverse portfolio for her brand.
Despite the travel delays caused by the snow, the photoshoot was a resounding success. Beyond creating compelling travel branding imagery, the experience was a reminder of the power of connection and collaboration within the small business community. Sharing the car ride with Baylee, discussing our businesses and journeys, highlighted the mutual support and understanding entrepreneurs can offer each other, even across different industries. For anyone looking to elevate their travel branding, Baylee’s photoshoot demonstrates the importance of visual storytelling and the beauty of embracing unexpected challenges to achieve outstanding results.
For travel tips, inspiration, and expert assistance in planning your next luxury getaway, follow Baylee on Instagram.
