We all go about our morning pick-me-up in different ways. Your AM rush may involve one of the 400 million cups of coffee consumed daily, one of the countless energy drinks on the shelves, a glass of orange juice, or a morning run if you are feeling really ambitious. The clever folks at Sunshine noticed a hole in a market that thrives on convenience and results, and created an energy drink/soda/sports drink hybrid, complete with vitamin B12, caffeine, and electrolytes. With their fresh product hitting shelves, Sunshine asked Winston Salem photographer Liz Nemeth to capture their brand new drink and its impressive design.
Liz and stylist Jenni Hopkins met with David Jones from The Variable, an ad agency in Winston Salem, to pick out some locations for the shoot. The Variable was a unique client because they were actually the creators of Sunshine, making the project a little more personal for them and for David. Despite the personal stakes of the project, they were able to keep the shoot light.
Unlike most commercial shoots, we didn’t have a concrete shot list. We let it evolve organically. The idea behind the shoot was to photograph either people or places in Winston Salem, focusing on the local people who are creating interesting things.
Liz, Jenni, and David photographed Sunshine’s beautiful white can at some inspiring locations. One location, The Olio, is a nonprofit glass blowing studio, whose artisans are a prime demographic for Sunshine’s market. The ginger berry brew was a welcome relief from the molten stoves used to heat the glass.
Hoots, a local brewery, was another great location to feature combinations of Sunshine and Sutler’s gin from a neighboring distillery. There, the team showed how Sunshine could be used to mix up a refreshing cocktail.
Later on, the group headed to Salem Lake and Centennial Trading Company, a local manufacturer of clothing and other goods, for some lifestyle shots. Outside, it appeared that rain was going to make it difficult for the sun to join its beverage name-twin. Fortunately, clouds cleared and they were able to get the shots they needed.
We were lucky with weather. We dodged a few rain drops at Salem Lake, but it cleared off and we were able to shoot. I really enjoyed collaborating with Jenni and David and working within the locations and scenarios to shoot authentic pictures.
Liz plans to continue her relationship with David and The Variable, and hopes to shoot more for future Sunshine projects.
To view more of Liz’s work, check out liznemeth.com.