MAYER BROTHERS CIDER FOR M&T BANK
MAYER BROTHERS CIDER FOR M&T BANK
Today, we're trading in winter snow for a rain-drenched Western New York apple orchard to prove that character-driven commercial photography thrives even when the weather throws a tantrum. We're talking about digging deep, embracing the elements, and telling a damn good story, rain or shine.
Enter Garrett Mayer. This guy's family has been perfecting the art of apple cider since 1852, folks. That's generations of know-how and passion, and it shows. They're one of the oldest family-owned businesses in all of New York State.
The awesome team at Crowley Webb knew precisely what they wanted when they brought my team and me in for M&T Bank's client success campaign. This wasn't about sterile boardrooms and PowerPoint presentations. This was about showcasing authenticity, grit, and a connection to the land deeper than the mud puddles we had to hike through that morning. The agency gave me a ton of freedom to create the right vibe and mood for these images, and I love the story that emerged.
The orchard itself became our set. Wet leaves and water-laden fruit were our props, and we found opportunity after fantastic opportunity to take some amazing photographs as we walked through the rows of trees at sunrise. This project felt like an adventure, even when we had to hide under the trees to avoid the occasional downpour. For this campaign, the stills that I created of Garrett and other businesses and organizations across New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland were used to accompany a series of fantastic ad spots by director Joshua Weinstein that premiered during the Super Bowl.
