Summer Campaign Shoot for Vallarta Supermarkets
It was a total joy collaborating with Esmeralda, a graphic designer for Vallarta Supermarkets, on a vibrant summer campaign that will appear in signage across more than 60 of their stores. The 3-day production and project began with a creative test focused on an unusual visual idea—photographing food against a pool water backdrop. To help bring the concept to life, I built a small studio test using layered props, realistic water surfaces, and real Mexican food. These early images gave Esmeralda something tangible to present to her team as they approved the campaign's direction.
Esmeralda’s color palette of aqua, orange, and warm brown, along with sharp angles, guided every setup. Those colors paired beautifully with the vibrant ingredients and meals from Vallarta Supermarket that we cooked and styled throughout the shoot. Each set felt energetic, sunny, and perfectly aligned with the spirit of summer.
On location, I worked with my two assistants to style the food, build sets from my own prop and surface library, and photograph the final images outside using lights, scrims, and the natural shadows. Between the bold colors, the sparkling water, and the incredible food, every scene came together in a way that felt both authentic and visually striking. The final images capture the lively flavors and festive feeling that Vallarta Supermarkets wanted customers to experience when serving their food this summer. We made many sets with Esmeralda guiding us on what to put on the signs, giving many iterations and options that they can use over the summer.
It was a fantastic project and a reminder of how collaborative design, thoughtful styling, and a strong color vision can transform a simple idea into a campaign that truly pops. Here are just a few favorites - watch their channels for more, and be sure to visit the Vallarta Supermarket near you for their delicious food.
