Suncadia Interiors & Lifestyle | Seattle Hospitality Photographer

Tucked into the rolling landscape of Washington’s Cascade Mountains, this Suncadia home was a dream to photograph. The light poured in, the palette was warm and grounding, and every room told a story — the kind of project that feels less like work and more like play.

Suncadia, a luxury vacation destination in the Pacific Northwest, hired me to photograph not only the interiors of this beautifully designed short-term rental home, but also the full vacation experience the resort has to offer — from food and beverage to the surrounding natural atmosphere. This was a full hospitality package, crafted to visually express the story of a stay at Suncadia through both space and experience.

I was originally brought on to capture the home for a rental listing, but as soon as I walked through the door, I knew this shoot would be more than just about showcasing amenities. The home had a soul — a feeling of welcome and wonder that’s hard to fake. My goal was to translate that through storytelling images that highlight not just what the home has, but how it feels to be there.

We leaned into a lifestyle-forward approach, capturing quiet moments and thoughtful vignettes: sunlight drifting across the dining table, a cozy reading corner, an open door inviting you out to the pines. There’s something about the scent of the forest air mixing with freshly brewed coffee that I can’t capture in a photo, but I hope you can sense it in the way the light dances through the windows.

This is what I love most about photographing short-term rentals and hospitality brands — the opportunity to elevate listings and marketing content by bringing in warmth, intention, and story. It’s not just about showing what’s available; it’s about helping guests picture themselves already there.

If you’re a homeowner, hospitality brand, or property manager looking to stand out in a saturated market, this kind of storytelling-first photography might be exactly what your space needs. I travel often for work and would love to help you create something beautiful that invites guests in from the very first image.

Location: Suncadia, WA
Photography + Styling: Emily Keeney
See more at emilykeeney.com

Heights House Raleigh: Interior & Lifestyle Photography for a Historic Boutique Hotel

I recently had the chance to photograph Heights House in Raleigh—a historic 1858 Italianate-style mansion turned boutique hotel. From the moment I walked in, it was clear this space is something special. It’s elegant without being overdone, and it feels both elevated and comfortable at the same time.

I was brought on to photograph interiors and lifestyle moments, and to create a short mood video that captured the overall feel of the property. The goal was to show not just what the space looks like, but how it feels to be there.

Design-wise, every detail at Heights House is thoughtfully chosen. The original architecture is stunning—arched doorways, tall ceilings, huge windows—and it’s been paired with timeless furniture, art, and textures that add a sense of calm and warmth. The color palette is soft and neutral, which made it easy to let the natural light and shadows do their thing.

For the lifestyle portion, I wanted to show those quiet, in-between moments: coffee in the parlor, sunlight moving across the floor, a breeze through the open windows. The kind of details that make a stay memorable.

This project was a true favorite—beautiful interiors, a team that really cares about the experience they’re creating, and a space that feels like a hidden gem in the middle of Raleigh.

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.

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.