I was surprised when Snapple commented on a photo of mine from two years ago. In Manhattan in the outskirts of Central Park, my boyfriend had bought me a kiwi strawberry Snapple and explained how Snapple was a sort of a staple of the city. I’d been to NYC often and I’d noticed how the street vendors always exhibited them on their carts, but it hadn’t occurred to me that there was much more significance to it. I noticed a collection of trees and shrubs with vibrant leaves that contrasted the pastel of the juice and took a quick snap of the scene.
I had just started my photography Instagram account @curiouslylem and at first, I primarily focused on making it a foodie account, just for fun. I hadn’t realized the opportunities that would present itself from putting my amateur skills out there. The original post is from July 6th, 2017 and I first made contact with Snapple in February 2019. At the time, I wasn’t very fluent in photography as an art, and I didn’t have a camera so I relied heavily on the capabilities of my iPhone 6s. I also didn’t edit my photos, I kept all of my photos raw and I feel as if I hindered my own potential without noticing it.
I leave the raw and unfiltered photos of my humble beginnings on Instagram at the bottom of my profile as a visual representation of my progression through the years. Since the bottom of my profile showcases the content I am not the proudest of, I was truly shocked that a brand would pull an image from that pool and genuinely insist on pursuing my account. Surely enough, 6 weeks ago Snapple commented.
“You made us look gooooood. We owe you one. Send us a DM 😎”
I was skeptical at first because of how outdated my photo seemed in the grand scheme of new media, but I was interested in their inquiry. I couldn’t believe that a brand I see on shelves of large retailers had been interested in a raw photo taken on an iPhone when there were far more seasoned professionals taking photos for them. Caution to the wind, I decided to direct message them and I was met with the opportunity to submit photos to them in exchange for a box of Snapple merchandise (or Snapple Swag as they would call it).
Upon opening the box they sent me, there was a list of their requests and rules, even some suggestions as to how to produce the media. Beneath this was a handwritten card addressed to me that contained some insights about Snapple. The contents of the box included pens, a sticker, a fanny pack, an exclusive bottle of Snapple without any nutrition facts (this is half-empty in the video because I used it in the shoot!) and a T-shirt with their list of flavors and my last name on it. I didn’t include my last name in the video for privacy purposes, but I noted how thorough the Snapple team had been in cultivating a care package that was so tailored to me. Oh! I can’t forget the coupons they sent either.
A few days after receiving the package, I headed to Hyde Park in Tampa in pursuit of shooting locations that would exemplify the best attributes of Snapple. I found a few spots without large commercial advertising or distractions, and I started my shoot. The first few pictures were centered around a potted plant (professional, I know) and a few of the painted backgrounds Hyde Park is known for.
(Click to scroll through images)
[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”22″ gal_title=”snapple”]
After shooting a few photos I had lunch at one of the local restaurants and I recall scrolling through the pictures on my camera and wondering if there was something more, something a little different that didn’t make the product look so stagnant. I wanted to portray it in motion. So, I set out in front of the waterfall and tested my skill with in-the-moment photography. I splashed the Snapple up a bit and tried to take a shot of the exact moment it splashed into the air to show how refreshing it appears. Not only that, but the bokeh and the colors were ideal in my eyes and I tried to make my vision come to life through tinkering with manual on my camera. After a slew of botched attempts, I finally captured a picture that I thought worked.
At the end of the day, Snapple chose to use this photo. The comparison of the first photo that piqued their interest and this recent one shows how my style has evolved through my time on Instagram, and I’m really excited to see how I can branch off from here. The joy is in the journey and I realize I have so much to learn, but I’m enthusiastic to see where this hobby takes me.
See below for a quick video of the package they sent me ⬇️