Ok here's the scoop, we work really hard when we are “on set” filming and creating content and we deserve some downtime to bask, reflect, ruminate on all we just accomplished, personally, we think more people should do this. It serves as a reset button so you can get back in the ring.
Recently, we were in Southern California and Baja Mexico shooting content for a local distillery, after a week of filming, we needed a bit of downtime before flying back across the country.
While in Rosarito Mexico, shooting at a local fish “mercado” along the shore, we inquired about some of the local hot spots and were turned on to Fauna [restaurant and winery in one]. Several of the locals re-enforced the suggestion and they made it sound so intriguing we could not resist the temptation to make the two hour drive into the Baja desert to find it.
So the next morning, we rose early, grabbed some snacks, lots of water and headed straight into the baja desert to find Fauna Restaurante.
This place is literally in the middle of nowhere - and I think that adds to its allure. I didn't even know you could grow wine in the desert. This place sits literally in the middle of the Guadalupe Mountains and Baja desert so we truly had very few expectations as we navigated down the dusty one lane road.
As we [apparently] neared the winery, green slowly matriculated out of nowhere, leading to smaller brush, larger shrubs, then suddenly row after row of vineyard. We had arrived.
We have traveled all over the world. I have tasted wines in Italy, Greece, France and most of Europe, and without any hesitation, I can easily say that Fauna, ranks up there in aesthetics and decor with the best of them, but that is only the beginning.
Once inside, we were seated at a large custom wooden table built from local desert ironwood that was at least 20 feet long and outfitted with matching benches.
Ironwood is a flowering tree from the legume family. The reason for its common name becomes immediately apparent if you ever tap the trunk with your knuckles. The wood is incredibly dense. This characteristic makes desert ironwood a very effective weapon and perfect for furniture. Native Americans in southern California and Mexico used the ironwood for clubs and throwing sticks and furniture.
Ok now to the good part - the food.
The kitchen is where the true magic happens. It was simply exquisite. Young Chef David Castro Hussong along with partner Maribel Aldaco Silva have crafted true culinary creativity and originality with their pairing of local traditions and global pairings. Octopus with truffle sauce hemp. Pickled cucumber and smoked pork, ceviche and poached egg, each day they present something unique to their traveled patrons from far and wide. Oh and the wine…
You’re probably familiar with the Big B’s of winemaking: Burgundy, Bordeaux, and Barolo. But Baja? Maybe not. The Mexican peninsula isn’t very well known in the U.S. for its wine, but a group of young winemakers is trying to help the region get the viticultural love it deserves.
The Baja California wine industry is focused on a small area of the state of Baja California, Mexico. Most of the production is in the Valle de Guadalupe (where Fauna is located), there is also grape and wine production in some neighboring valleys. ... Wine making is very eclectic here, with no one style dominating the scene.
How to Create Unique Content
Once you find the unique spot, the next task is to use that unique spot to your advantage by creating unique content. You can very easily make an outstanding spot come across as basic if you don't know what you're doing. Here are some tips to get you on the right path:
1 - Don't be shy. Some of the best places or settings for photo or video may seem closed off to you, the public. They might be hiding behind a fence or in the back of a field that you don't think you can wander through. This is when you need to not be afraid to ask to check out those spots. If you have a feeling a great piece of content is lying behind a door, speak up and ask the staff to get access. They won't always say yes so you have to be ready for rejection, but they may be willing if you tell them you're going to use the content for social media and that you'll shout them out. Give and take.
2 - Keep adventuring and remain curious. Be willing to put in some physical exercise and take that hike. Keep an open mind to adventuring beyond your typical limits. Along with the tip above, you never know what may be just a few steps further. Dirt road that you don't know where it leads? Figure out where it leads by driving down there! This doesn't always turn out to reveal great locations, but hey, doesn't hurt to try.
3 - Manipulate what you have in front you. This tip is great when it comes to food and drinks. When professional photographers and content creators (aka Fusion Photography) post pictures of a dish they've been served at a delicious restaurant, they don't just snap a picture as is. Instead, you'll find us staging the table or staging that particular dish. We'll be thinking about lighting, what's in the background, what we can add to the background, etc. Have fun "creating" with what is in front of you. This is the difference between a basic and an exceptional piece of content.
I hope these tips help you find the most beautiful places to create the most beautiful content. After years in the photography and content industry, my biggest piece of advice is to adventure. To have fun. The best photo and video is created when you let loose and are willing to explore to find the unique locations no one else will venture to. It's truly an art, but art you can fun with.
Is your business or brand in need of content creation for social media or your website? Click below and we can adventure together to create a story that's telling of you and your brand!
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