I recently had the pleasure of going to California (as many of you know) to create marketing videos for two vacation rental properties in the Palm Springs area, Villa Sereno and Palm Palace (http://www.villa-sereno.com). I traveled alongside and worked with photographer Tyann Marcink of Marcink Designs (http://www.tyannmarcink.com) and writer Beth Carson of online magazine Vacation Rental Travels (http://www.vacationrentaltravels.com). Tyann shot photos of both properties and area attractions together with me while Beth researched them for her article and social media marketing strategy. These ladies were awesome to work with, and I learned so much from them about vacation rentals and working with property owners as clients.
Both Villa Sereno and Palm Palace are amazing vacation rental homes located in the heart of the Coachella Valley, and I got to experience them firsthand as a guest as well. Our client hosts Steve and Diana Lazzarini were terrific during our stay and a pleasure to work with. Some of the pleasantries I enjoyed there were the hot tub, outdoor pizza oven, and horses.
When we weren’t shooting at the two properties, we were visiting attractions in the surrounding area. Whether it was riding a cable car to the top of Mt. San Jacinto to take in the views and extreme change in weather to snow, attending the second largest dog show in the U.S., or exploring Joshua Tree National Park, there was so much to see and do! The Coachella Valley truly offers a wide array of activities. Someday when I go back, I will surely visit Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway, Palm Springs Air Museum, and the Art Museum. And if you’re a foodie like me, you will not be disappointed! There are many great restaurants and cafes, offering some of the best cuisine that California has to offer.
It wasn’t all hard work though, as I got to explore Los Angeles a bit by visiting Santa Monica Pier, Beverly Hills, and Hollywood. I went to the Golden Globes and stood outside the Beverly Hilton Hotel as the stars arrived, seeing Leonardo DiCaprio, Lady Gaga, Denzel Washington, Orlando Bloom, and Amber Heard. Now that is something I will never forget! I have always wanted to attend the Oscars, and so going to the Globes was the closest thing for now. Afterwards, I hit up Hollywood Boulevard to see Grumman’s Chinese Theater, the Walk of Fame, and the Jimmy Kimmel Live! studio from outside. I also got to hangout with my L.A. local friend and fellow photographer Rhoda Nazanin (https://www.facebook.com/rnazaninphotography/) a while that night, too.
During the last two days of the shoot, we were visited by social media sensations Steve Sasman of the Million Dollar Tesla Trip (https://www.twitter.com/SteveSasman) and Chris Strub (http://www.teamstrub.com), the first person to live stream on Periscope and SnapChat in all 50 states. Both of these gentlemen were on their way to the Periscope Summit 2016 in San Francisco. Tyann and I had the honor of being featured on Chris's Periscope live stream broadcasts from Villa Sereno.
In all, it was one awesome trip unlike any I have had in years. I can’t wait to go back, but more importantly, start traveling more for work like this.