When Hometown Health reached out for new commercial photography for its Senior Care Plus Medicare insurance plan, the goal was clear: create genuine, story-driven portraits of real members that reflect the trust and care behind their brand.
Hometown Health found health insurance members with real stories to tell about their experience with the provider. Some of the stories included people needing medical care while traveling, while others talked about the comprehensive care they received.
Together with a local designer art directing and PA assisting, we photographed a full day at a rustic ranch home in Reno, working alongside a video crew to capture testimonials and authentic moments of the subjects together. My job was to create print-ready work showing the people in one of the living rooms and then showing them as active seniors outside.
The location’s textures and light gave every portrait a sense of warmth and belonging — the kind of visual storytelling that feels both professional and human, without looking too glossy or overly directed.
One of my favorite parts of the session was working with a young girl and her grandmother. They were so expressive and full of joy that the camera practically disappeared. At one point, the little girl laughed and said I was funny, which I can tell was high praise from her. Once they started coloring together on the porch, that tiny moment of connection between all of us became one of the best photos from the day.
Technically, it was a challenging shoot. We were adapting constantly to the bright Nevada sunlight changing on the back porch, using a mix of available light, reflectors and portable strobes to balance exposure and keep skin tones natural and also maintain a balanced background. Since then, I’ve upgraded my lighting gear, but this project was a great reminder that adaptability and intuition matter just as much as equipment.
The first set of these images is now appearing in Hometown Health’s new advertisements, including an ad in edible Reno-Tahoe’s Fall 2025 issue. The photos will also be featured in print campaigns, open-enrollment catalogs, and informational mailers in the months ahead.
Projects like this remind me why I love commercial photography. I really like helping organizations share real stories through the faces of the people they serve.
