Client: Marriott Hotels
Campaign: “Travel Brilliantly”

Agency: Grey New York

Role: Photographer

Locations: Bangkok and Southern Thailand

Overview
Marriott Hotels aimed to redefine modern travel with their “Travel Brilliantly” campaign, capturing luxury, innovation, and adventure. They enlisted Paul Barbera for his observational reportage style.
Objectives
  • Showcase Marriott’s luxury, innovation, and global exploration.
  • Create a cohesive visual narrative with still photography and a TV commercial.
  • Highlight Marriott locations and experiences in Bangkok and Southern Thailand.

Process

  1. Pre-Production: Paul received a shoot list to guide the campaign, allowing creative freedom. Locations were chosen for their vibrant culture and luxurious ambiance.
  2. Photography: Paul used natural light and spontaneous interactions to create authentic, story-driven images that conveyed Marriott’s luxurious essence.
  3. TV Commercial: The TV commercial mirrored the look and feel of Paul’s still photographs, creating a cohesive narrative highlighting Marriott’s core values.

Results
The “Travel Brilliantly” campaign successfully captured Marriott’s essence, resonating with audiences and resulting in increased brand engagement and positive feedback.

Impact
This campaign marked a significant milestone in Paul’s career, solidifying his reputation and demonstrating his ability to elevate brand narratives through distinctive visual storytelling.

Follow-Up Work
Paul continued his collaboration with Marriott, shooting a third campaign in Shenzhen, China, reflecting ongoing trust and creative synergy with the brand. Paul retains proofs from his first Marriott campaign, showcasing his growth as a photographer.