San Diego hotel photographer

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.