Luxury Hotel Photography in San Diego | Kona Kai Resort by Emily Keeney

Working with the team at Kona Kai Resort in San Diego was such a great experience. I was brought on to photograph and film their refreshed guest experience — highlighting everything from the suites and spa to their waterfront dining and beachside lounging areas. The goal was to create elevated, lifestyle-driven visuals that reflected the relaxed luxury of the property, and gave future guests a sense of what a stay truly feels like.

I often work with boutique and luxury hotels that are looking for a blend of editorial storytelling and clean, high-end imagery for their marketing libraries. For Kona Kai, we focused on capturing both the design of the spaces and the emotional tone of the experience — sun-washed rooms, cocktails by the fire, slow mornings on the marina. We styled each setup to feel effortless but intentional, knowing these assets would be used across web, social, and paid campaigns.

Alongside the stills, I created a brand video that wove together short lifestyle scenes with ambient resort footage to help convey the rhythm of a day at Kona Kai. Video can be such a powerful tool in the hospitality space — giving a sense of atmosphere, movement, and the overall experience in a way that complements still imagery without repeating it.

You can view the final video here: Kona Kai Resort Brand Film

Projects like this are always a favorite — blending thoughtful styling, intentional pacing, and a strong visual narrative to help a property stand out without feeling overproduced.

West Seattle Interior Photography with McKith Interiors | Seattle Interior Photographer

Spending the day in West Seattle shooting with Haley, the founder of McKith Interiors, was such a reminder of why I love working so closely with designers. We approached every shot together, carefully styling and adjusting the spaces to create a relaxed, lifestyle-driven feel that stayed true to McKith’s clean, timeless aesthetic.

Haley’s vision for interiors is so thoughtful—layered, neutral, and elevated without ever feeling too perfect—and it made styling each corner such an intuitive process. We’d tweak a throw here, adjust a table setting there, constantly looking for that balance between polished and approachable. The natural light pouring into this West Seattle home was a dream to work with, highlighting the beautiful textures and calm palette that McKith Interiors is known for.

As a Seattle interior photographer, these collaborative projects are some of my favorites—where the final gallery doesn’t just document a space but really brings it to life. I’m so excited to share a few of my favorite images from this shoot with Haley and McKith Interiors. You can learn more about their design work at mckithinteriors.com.

Seattle Interior Photography | Traditional Sunlit Kitchen Design

Photographing this Traditional Sunlit Kitchen, designed by Board & Vellum, was such a rewarding experience. The space is filled with natural light and balances traditional detailing with a fresh, livable feel. Every element — from the soft white cabinetry to the warm wood accents — was chosen to create a kitchen that feels timeless without being too formal.

The design layers classic features like detailed millwork, a custom range hood, and subtle marble textures with a layout that feels open and connected. The darker island grounds the space while the lighter countertops and backsplash keep it bright and easygoing. It’s the kind of kitchen that feels welcoming from the first step in — elegant but approachable, with thoughtful touches everywhere you look.

Triple Bottom Line Construction, a Seattle-based builder I've worked with many times, brought the design to life with beautiful craftsmanship and attention to every detail. Their work consistently makes a space feel solid and intentional, which always comes through in the final photographs.

As a Seattle interior photographer, I’m always drawn to projects like this — where great design, natural materials, and quality construction come together to create spaces that feel both beautiful and lived in. It was a joy to capture the way the light moved through this kitchen and the sense of calm the design naturally brings.

You can see more about this project, the Traditional Sunlit Kitchen, on Board & Vellum’s portfolio.

Staying at The Wayback Austin: A Lifestyle Photographer’s Dream in Hill Country

Tucked just outside the buzz of downtown, The Wayback Austin is the kind of boutique hotel that feels like a secret — quiet, warm, and intentionally designed. I came for a weekend away, but it ended up feeling like more than just a stay. As a lifestyle photographer, I’m always drawn to places that evoke a certain feeling, where light and texture come together to tell a story. The Wayback did exactly that.

Set in the rolling hills of Austin’s west side, the property feels like a retreat from the world. The collection of cottages, each painted in soft earth tones and surrounded by oak trees, creates a sense of calm the moment you arrive. It’s a place where time slows down and small details begin to stand out — the way sunlight pours through cafe windows in the morning, the sound of wind in the trees during golden hour, the simplicity of a linen-covered bed in a quiet, sunlit room.

Photography-wise, it was a dream. Every corner of The Wayback Austin felt intentionally designed for connection — not just visually, but emotionally. From the interior styling to the way natural light moved through the space, I found myself reaching for my camera constantly. There’s something about the way light hits white brick walls and bounces off reclaimed wood that makes it easy to fall in love with photographing a place. For a lifestyle photographer, this boutique Hill Country stay offers a perfect balance of softness and soul.

Mornings started at the on-site café with a matcha or espresso, usually taken outside among olive trees and worn wooden tables. I captured a few frames of my coffee in that perfect, diffused morning light — the kind you can’t fake, no matter how good your presets are. Afternoons were for the pool, quiet walks, or catching up on journaling, always with my camera nearby. The golden hour here is unreal. I spent one evening wandering the edge of the property, photographing the way the light filtered through tall grasses and danced across stone paths. It was one of those moments that reminded me why I fell in love with lifestyle photography in the first place.

There’s a comfort in staying somewhere that understands aesthetics without feeling overdesigned. The Wayback is cozy, not curated to the point of being untouchable. It invites you to settle in, breathe a little deeper, and maybe see the world a little differently for a few days. It’s perfect for couples, solo travelers, or creatives looking for inspiration. If you’re ever in search of a boutique hotel in Austin with heart, style, and soul, I can’t recommend it enough.

Places like this have a way of lingering long after you leave. I came home with a full camera roll, a slower heart rate, and a renewed sense of clarity — all the things I didn’t know I was looking for when I booked the stay.