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Hard Rock Energy

Hard Rock with Chris "The Birdman" Andersen

After spending $25,000/month on a marketing retainer with a different agency, Hard Rock Energy had very little to show for it.

Upon seeing a newspaper article about C&I Studios, they approached us, confident that we were the perfect fit for their company. Our primary goals for Hard Rock Energy were content creation and distribution, and establishing a well-known spokesperson for the brand. In a very short window of time, we had to deliver a full advertising plate of Graphic Design, Photography, and Video Production to market their new product nationwide.

Due to pitfalls with their former marketing agency, Hard Rock Energy had absolutely no product photos of their new energy drink collection, so that’s where we started.

Bold, seductive lighting was the main aesthetic for the product shoot. This, combined with a few tricks of the trade, made this simple product shoot POP! It was important to show that the three flavors coexist while also standing independently, so we photographed a diverse collection of their product in groups and individually.

Three cans of Hard Rock Energy drinks on display

Closeup of three cans of Hard Rock Energy drinks on display

Closeup of can of original Hard Rock Energy drink

Can of Paradise Punch Hard Rock Energy drink on display

Closeup of can of Sugar Free Hard Rock Energy drink

Ad with three cans of Hard Rock Energy drinks on display

Bearded tattooed man posing for camera with arms crossed

Bearded tattooed man posing for camera holding a can of Hard Rock Energy drink

Branding For A New Audience

Content is absolutely necessary, but it isn’t effective unless you place it in front of the right audience. So, in phase 2 we tackled distribution. The initial test markets were in Chicago and South Florida.

In order for our distribution tests to provide valuable information on Hard Rock Energy’s prime consumer-base, we needed diversity. In Hollywood, FL there is a very popular Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, so we placed select advertisements in this location. Chicago, Illinois, on the other hand, is only home to Hard Rock Cafe. We chose this location to see how consumers outside of the casino culture would respond to our ads.

We produced billboards to be erected on heavily-traveled highways in both locations, took out ad space in several major newspapers, promoted videos, and digital ads, and initiated online takeovers of news sites, all using the tagline we helped to develop, “Give Your Tastebuds A Break.”

Bearded tattooed man wearing a red Hard Rock Energy jersey and black shorts holding a guitar

Bearded tattooed man wearing a red Hard Rock Energy jersey and black shorts holding part of a guitar with other guitar parts flying around

Photographing Chris "The Birdman" Andersen

Finally, we wanted to make sure that Hard Rock Energy had a recognizable name attached to their brand. When they informed us about their relationship with Chris “The Birdman” Andersen, we knew he’d be the perfect fit.

We needed to produce enough content to last about a year so we developed multiple concepts for the upcoming photo shoot. However, working under such short notice meant that Chris Andersen was only available for two hours — one of which was consumed by local media interviewing him. What happened in that next hour was a flurry of activity, make-up artists, lights flashing, and models posing.

In the end, we pulled it off! Generally, one hour is not nearly enough time to allow for a wide array of concepts, but we were able to work within the constraints and provide a superior plate of marketing materials for Hard Rock Energy to circulate throughout the year.

Bearded tattooed man holding guitar in one hand and a basketball in the other sitting on a throne posing for camera wearing a black Hard Rock tshirt

Bearded tattooed man holding Hard Rock Energy drink in one hand and a guitar in the other sitting on a throne posing for camera wearing a black hooded jacket

Bearded tattooed man playing a guitar on a throne posing for camera wearing a black Hard Rock tshirt

Bearded tattooed man holding two women holding Hard Rock Energy drinks next to him posing for camera

Bearded tattooed man holding guitar in one hand sitting on a throne surrounded by women posing for camera wearing a black Hard Rock tshirt with a cameraman taking a picture of them

Bearded tattooed man holding Hard Rock Energy drinks with tattoo artist working on a tattoo with an assistant standing nearby

Tattooed man with mohawk posing with letters on his knuckles spelling out Hard Rock

Behind The Scenes

Tattooed man with mohawk getting tattooed by tattoo artist

Tattooed man with mohawk posing for camera with two women holding Hard Rock Energy drinks

Tattooed man with mohawk posing for camera man and crew

Tattooed man with mohawk posing for camera man and crew holding two Hard Rock Energy drinks

Tattooed man with mohawk talking to crew member

Crew members working near motorcycle in the dark with a light

Woman opening a can of Hard Rock Energy drink surrounded by equipment

GhostBed By Nature’s Sleep

GhostBed by Nature's Sleep wanted a video that could go viral

Having produced thousands of videos for an array of purposes over the years, we have our finger on the pulse of media creation that is unlike your typical marketing agency. So, a request for a “viral video,” while it may seem difficult to execute, was a welcome challenge for our team of craftsmen.

What really turned up the heat was the fact that we had a single day to produce both the one-minute spot and shoot crisp product photography. We were excited to take on the challenge and proud of the solution we conceived.

In the end, we cut a hilarious video that achieved the client’s goals. The commercial has over 3 million views and counting, entirely positive feedback, and you might just see it on your next JetBlue flight.

Our friends at GhostBed have seen an incredible uptick in sales since putting this commercial out into the wild.

The Solution

After writing out nine concepts to choose from, we sat down with GhostBed and talked through which concept would bring about their desired outcome. Knowing that ridiculous humor has a wide appeal, we chose to produce a concept featuring a mad scientist explaining the technology behind his creation, while his assistant demonstrates the sensation of GhostPillow in the background.

We created a gallery of crisp lifestyle photography to support ongoing marketing initiatives revolving around GhostPillow’s new viral video content.

Overhead view of woman wearing red tshirt laying on bed and GhostBed pillow with arms around the pillow

Overhead view of woman wearing black and white tshirt laying on bed and GhostBed pillow

Product Photography

GIF animation of layers of a pillow being shown

Step inside the storyboard

The Dream Commercial

Drawing of man in car with hand on the door

Drawing of hands over a briefcase of money

Drawing of man laying on a beach by the water with the sun shining

Drawing of man laying on a bed with his arms overhead with text saying Even Your Dreams Are Better on a Ghost Bed

Drawing of man pointing to Advance Cooling Technology text

Drawing of man advertising 101 Night Sleep Trial

Drawing of man saying to go to Ghostbed.com

The Boy That Never Left His Bed

Drawing of mother with baby boy looking out from under her skirt on a bed

Drawing of boy rolling down a street on his bed smiling

Drawing of boy on a bed enjoying a band concert

Drawing of boy with a video game controller in his hands

Drawing of a boy laying on pillow with a big smile on his face saying You'll Never Want to Leave

Drawing of a boy saying You Can Try It For 101 Days For Free

Drawing of boy laying on the bed with text saying Go To Ghostbed.com

Behind The Scenes

Tapping into certain distribution channels was an essential factor in the pursuit of viral success. We could not simply air GhostBed’s new video on cable television, Amazon, social media platforms and so on. We had to broaden our scope. So, we secured ad space on JetBlue and American Airlines. This not only positioned our content for immediate success, but it also broadened our viewership, essentially putting our commercial front-and-center for a wider range of audiences stemming across very unique demographics. We also thought the ad placement pretty clever as it would resonate more strongly than if the viewer had seen it while chilling on their sofa. Airplanes aren’t really known for their comfort, after all.

Virgil’s Root Beer

Virgil's Root Beer

We liked Reed’s Soda so much that we did a concept shoot with their Virgil’s Root Beer. We maneuvered the soda in different positions – emphasizing what makes it so exceptional: its ingredients.

It’s always a great day for us when we get the opportunity to work with a company that allows us to work with a product we already are in love with.

The concept shoot placed the bottle at the center of carefully styled compositions that emphasized the natural ingredients and craft brewing process behind the product. We experimented with different surfaces, backgrounds, and lighting setups to create a range of images that could serve across packaging, social media, and retail displays. Each arrangement was designed to communicate quality and authenticity without a single word of copy.

Product photography at C&I Studios goes beyond simple documentation. We approach every shoot with the goal of making the product the hero of the frame, using lighting and composition to bring out the details that matter most. For beverage brands like Reed’s, that means capturing the texture, color, and character that set their product apart. See more of our work across the portfolio.

Gold Coast Magazine

Gold Coast Magazine
Boxer Chasity Martin

When our friends at Gold Coast Magazine asked us if we could get some shots of local pro boxer Chasity Martin, we were more than pumped. They were working on an article about this tough woman, and they wanted to feature some photos that would capture her working out with her trainer, as well as a behind the scenes video and brief interview with Chasity.

What we love most about these shots are how they capture the extreme dedication she has to her sport. Her success comes from raw talent, and mostly a lot of hard work. The variety of training methods that we documented really complemented Gold Coast’s article, and the BTS video does a great job of providing a teaser to the incredible story of how she arrived to where she is today.

It’s always an honor to work with Gold Coast, one of the longest-running city magazine companies in Florida. And Chasity: we are pulling for you—go and make us proud!

Sports photography and behind-the-scenes content require a team that can keep pace with the action while maintaining visual quality. For the Gold Coast Magazine feature on Chasity Martin, our crew captured intense training sequences, close-up detail shots, and a candid interview, delivering a media package that complemented the written article. Boxing photography is especially demanding because the movements are fast and unpredictable, requiring quick reflexes and an understanding of the sport to anticipate key moments. At C&I Studios, we have built strong relationships with publications like Gold Coast Magazine because we consistently deliver content that meets editorial standards on tight deadlines. Our photography and video production teams work seamlessly together, allowing us to produce both stills and motion content in a single session. Whether covering an athlete, a live event, or a feature story, our crew brings the technical skill and editorial sensibility that publications and brands need.

Jailbreak Brewing

Established in 2013, Jailbreak Brewing opened its doors with a goal in mind: to escape the drama that your daily life presents you with.

With a motto that resonates within everyone’s desire to express themselves freely, Jailbreak has brought together a group of professionals with the common interest of creating something different, and dedicating their lives to a bigger whole.

Their 16,000 square foot brewing facility is in full view of their tasting room so that you can witness the future batches being made as you sip on their refreshing brews ready for consumption.

We shot some product photography for a couple of their beers, with their aesthetic and overall company in mind.

Product photography for craft breweries comes with its own set of challenges. Each can and bottle has a distinct design language, and the photography needs to communicate the brand’s personality while making the product look appealing on shelves and screens alike. For Jailbreak Brewing, we focused on clean compositions and controlled lighting that brought out the detail in their label art and the color of their brews. Our team at C&I Studios has extensive experience in product photography for food and beverage brands, understanding that these images often serve as the first point of contact between a consumer and a product. Getting the lighting, background, and styling right is not optional; it is the difference between a scroll and a sale. From single-product hero shots to full catalog spreads, we approach every shoot with precision and a clear understanding of how the images will be used. Contact us to discuss your next product photography project.

Ivivva X Lululemon

Ivivva x Lululemon

Mini Summer Lookbook

A Southern California summer, captured on Balboa Pier for two brands built on movement.

Ivivva X Lululemon

A SoCal Summer in Motion

Fashion lookbook photography

C&I Studios shot this mini summer lookbook on Balboa Pier and Balboa Beach for Lululemon Athletica and Ivivva Athletica. Both brands are built for movement in any season, so we set out to capture a look that lives in the Southern California lifestyle.

To ground the shoot in something real, we brought in a SoCal native, Infinity Surfboards out of Dana Point. The result is a set of fashion and lifestyle images that feel effortless, sun lit, and true to the coast.

INDUSTRY

FASHION

SERVICES

PHOTOGRAPHY

Ivivva X Lululemon

A SoCal Summer in Motion

INDUSTRY

FASHION

SERVICES

PHOTOGRAPHY

Black and white of young man holding a surfboard on a footpath by a beach posing for a camera and looking offsides

Setting the Scene on Balboa Pier

Balboa Pier set the tone for the whole shoot. We worked through the golden hour light, letting the boardwalk, the sand, and the open water frame each look the way a real summer day on the coast would.

Shooting on location meant chasing the light rather than fighting it. We timed every setup to the sun, used the pier railings and the open beach as natural lines, and kept the styling loose so the clothing always felt lived in. The goal was a frame that reads like a moment you stumbled into, not one we staged.

Two Brands, One Coastline

Lululemon and Ivivva share a point of view, so we styled the looks to move between them without a seam. Surf, skate, and street all played a part, each one shot to feel like a natural part of the same afternoon.

Bringing in Infinity Surfboards out of Dana Point grounded the whole story in real Southern California culture. The surf looks read as authentic because the gear and the setting were authentic, and that honesty carried through every wardrobe change, from the water line to the boardwalk and back.

Young man next to a surfboard on a beach posing for the camera looking offsides on a footpath

Built for Movement

From the first push on a skateboard to a sprint up the steps, every look had to hold up in motion. We shot for the action, not around it, so the clothing reads the way it actually performs.

Surf, skate, ice cream on the boardwalk, and the golden light off the water all came together into one easy SoCal afternoon.

Young man carrying a surfboard on a beach at dusk

Young man holding a surfboard on a beach looking out on the beach

Young man with back to camera next to a surfboard looking out over the beach

Young man smiling holding a large ice cone by an ice cream store

Girl on a beach carrying a surfboard at dusk looking off to the side and smiling for camera

Built for Movement

From the first push on a skateboard to a sprint up the steps, every look had to hold up in motion. We shot for the action, not around it, so the clothing reads the way it actually performs.

An All American Summer

We closed out the day with the stretches, the runs, and the easy moments in between. Stars and stripes, salt air, and a coastline that never stops moving, all of it shot to feel like the best part of summer.

As the light dropped, the energy moved from posed to playful. We captured the cartwheels, the sprints up the steps, and the quiet beats by the water, balancing campaign polish with the spontaneity of a real day outside.

Fashion lookbook photography for Ivivva and Lululemon by C&I Studios

Ivivva X Lululemon project by C&I Studios

Fashion lookbook photography for Lululemon and Ivivva

C&I Studios produced this fashion lookbook photography shoot for Lululemon Athletica and Ivivva Athletica on Balboa Pier and Balboa Beach in Southern California. The brief was a mini summer lookbook that translated two activewear brands into a single coastal story, styled around surf, skate, and street looks that move the way the clothing is built to move. Our photography team handled location scouting, styling support, lighting, and the full image edit, delivering a gallery of fashion and lifestyle frames ready for web, social, and campaign use.

A lookbook built around the Southern California lifestyle

Fashion lookbook photography works best when the location does real work in the frame, so we anchored the shoot in the places that define a SoCal summer. Balboa Pier, the boardwalk, the sand, and the open water gave every look a sense of place, and the golden hour light kept the whole set warm and natural rather than studio lit. We brought in Infinity Surfboards out of Dana Point to add an authentic local detail, grounding the surf looks in the actual culture of the coast instead of a styled approximation of it.

Photography that reads in motion

Activewear lives in motion, so our professional photography services were built around action rather than static poses. We shot skateboarding, running, stretching, and surf prep as it happened, capturing the texture and fit of each garment while the models actually used it. That approach keeps the imagery honest for a performance brand and gives the marketing team a deeper library of usable frames, from clean product looks to candid lifestyle moments. The result is a lookbook that supports both Lululemon and Ivivva with a consistent visual language across every shot.

From concept to delivery

A successful lookbook is a production, not just a photo session. We coordinated wardrobe changes on location, managed the schedule against the light, and directed talent through each setup so the energy stayed high from the first frame to the last. In post, we graded the full set for a cohesive summer palette and delivered retouched, web ready images sized for the brands’ channels. Fashion and lifestyle work like this sits alongside our broader portfolio of brand campaigns, and pairs naturally with video production services when a campaign needs motion as well as stills.

Why brands choose C&I Studios for fashion photography

C&I Studios has produced fashion and lifestyle photography for activewear, retail, and consumer brands across the United States, with a creative team that handles styling, lighting, and post under one roof. We understand how an athletic lifestyle needs to read on camera, and we build every shoot to deliver assets that work across an entire marketing program rather than a single placement. According to WWD, brand storytelling and authentic lifestyle imagery continue to drive how activewear labels connect with their audiences, which is exactly the kind of work this lookbook was built to support. Whether you need a seasonal lookbook, a full campaign, or an ongoing content library, contact C&I Studios to scope your next fashion photography project.

Let's Shoot Your Next Lookbook

From seasonal lookbooks to full lifestyle campaigns, we produce fashion photography that captures how your brand actually moves. Styling, lighting, and a final edit that lands on time and on brand, all handled by one team.

Tell us about your shoot and we’ll scope it end to end.

Let's Shoot Your Next Lookbook

Seasonal lookbooks, lifestyle campaigns, content libraries. We handle styling, lighting, and the final edit in one place.

Tell us about your shoot and we’ll scope it end to end.

Grycon: Nova Southeastern University

Grycon
Nova Southeastern University

Grycon is one of the premier builders in Fort Lauderdale, and they recently constructed a beautiful gym at Nova Southeastern University. We were excited to get out there and get some evening shots, as well as some drone shots of the gym. These images show off the pristine construction of the building, but if you show up any normal day of the week, you’ll find it packed with students working out and improving their fitness.

Las Olas Magazine

Celebrating an Iconic Mother–Daughter Duo

Las Olas Magazine reached out to us to do a photoshoot for their Mother’s Day article featuring supermodels Anna Cleveland and her mother, the legendary Pat Cleveland. It’s not every day that you get the chance to capture not just beauty and elegance, but the decades-long story of two generations who shaped—and continue to shape—the fashion world.

The concept for Las Olas Magazine’s feature centered on what it means to grow up under the spotlight, to watch your mother break barriers in the industry, and to carry that legacy forward in your own way. It was a fun day capturing the mother-daughter duo’s resilience and unspoken bond that makes their connection so captivating.

INDUSTRY

FASHION

SERVICES

PHOTOGRAPHY

Las Olas Magazine

Celebrating an Iconic Mother–Daughter Duo

INDUSTRY

FASHION

SERVICES

PHOTOGRAPHY

Anna Cleveland in black and white dress posing for camera on a chaise lounge.

Anna and Pat Cleveland in black and white outfits posing for camera on a chaise lounge.

Super models Anna and Pat Cleveland posing on a balcony with cruise ship in the background

Gold Coast Magazine

Capturing Culinary Standouts for Gold Coast Magazine

Every city has its hidden culinary gems, but someone has to shine a light on them. Gold Coast Magazine has long been that spotlight for Fort Lauderdale’s vibrant dining scene. When they needed a fresh, compelling visual narrative for their annual “Best New Restaurants” feature, our team stepped in to capture the soul of each restaurant and the chefs who bring these dishes to life.

Restaurants are more than menus. They are the lifeblood of local communities and tourist destinations, crafted by people working long hours behind kitchen doors most guests never see. Our goal for Gold Coast Magazine was to photograph not just the food, but the atmosphere, the people, and the passion that make Fort Lauderdale’s culinary scene so rich and ever-changing.

INDUSTRY

FOOD & BEVERAGE

SERVICES

PHOTOGRAPHY | VIDEO PRODUCTION

Gold Coast Magazine

Capturing Culinary Standouts for Gold Coast Magazine

INDUSTRY

FOOD & BEVERAGE

SERVICES

PHOTOGRAPHY | VIDEO PRODUCTION

Showcasing Fort Lauderdale’s Culinary Pulse

Gold Coast Magazine’s Best Restaurants and chef features capture Fort Lauderdale’s dining scene as it really feels right now. Our video and photos pull readers into these kitchens and dining rooms long before they ever sit down.

This kind of video production and photography keeps the story going long after the magazine hits the stands. It gives restaurants images that stay in people’s heads and push them to book a table at that place they’ve been meaning to try. Good visuals make people curious. And in the case of food photography, they also make them hungry.

The Gaylord Palms

A Visual Journey Through Florida’s Most Enchanting Resort

There’s no shortage of luxury resorts in Florida, but Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center manages to stand apart by feeling like a world within a world. Tucked away in Kissimmee, this sprawling escape is part theme park, part lush botanical garden, part tropical hideaway—an architectural wonder that unfolds like a secret.

We were brought on to photograph this massive property. Our goal was to do justice to the scale and detail that make the Gaylord Palms such a draw for vacationers, corporate groups, and families alike.

INDUSTRY

HOSPITALITY | TRAVEL

SERVICES

PHOTOGRAPHY

The Gaylord Palms

A Visual Journey Through Florida’s Most Enchanting Resort

INDUSTRY

HOSPITALITY | TRAVEL

SERVICES

PHOTOGRAPHY

More Than Just Pretty Pictures—A Visual Invitation

A resort this intricate deserves more than brochure-style snapshots. Our photographs for Gaylord Palms were designed to pull double duty. They’re beautiful enough to stop someone mid-scroll on social media, but strategic enough to help the resort’s marketing team fill rooms and book conferences year-round. Each image balances atmosphere with clarity, giving potential guests a sense of what it’s like to wander the grounds themselves, sunlight catching the koi pond or an unexpected sculpture hidden behind tropical leaves.

Orlando World Center Marriott Hotel

ORLANDO WORLD CENTER MARRIOTT HOTEL

We recently had the pleasure of shooting the Orlando World Center Marriott in Orlando, Florida. Located near Walt Disney World, this resort aims to satisfy every leisure and business endeavor any patron might desire.

From winding 200ft waterslides to 450,000 sq ft of space fit for meetings, conventions, weddings, receptions and social soirees, the Orlando World Center Marriott is apt for professional and quotidian visitors alike.

In shooting the facilities, we looked to show the eclectic nature of the resort and the ample space available for anyone’s stay.

The production covered a wide range of the property, from the resort pools and waterslides to the meeting spaces and dining areas. We used a combination of steady tracking shots and aerial footage to convey the scale of the resort without losing the warmth that defines the guest experience. Every frame was planned to give prospective visitors a clear picture of what awaits them.

C&I Studios has extensive experience producing video production and photography for hotels and resorts across the country. For the Orlando World Center Marriott, the objective was straightforward: let the property sell itself through honest, well-crafted visuals that serve both leisure and corporate audiences.