12 Jun Yes, Even Tacoma Still Has Natural Beauty
I recently started shooting for a PNW based company, Pacific Mountain Products. They grow and harvest a number of products here in the PNW and distribute them around the world. Up until recently, it was studio and location photography, that is, until the marketing director called me up needing a last minute video for a fast approaching trade show. Last minute, as in a couple days, a video needing to be shot and edited together. Tossing this in my already busy month of May was a bit tricky. I wasn’t going to have the time/opportunity to physically visit any of PMP’s farms for this project. Yes, I was going to need to portray a lush, evergreen PNW by capturing what I could around the Tacoma area. Did I hear a couple laughs out there in the crowd? Can’t blame ya, because before I got to really know Tacoma, I would have considered this a ridiculously ambitious goal. Tacoma doesn’t exactly scream “forest” when driving through on I-5. In fact, from the perspective of freeway commuters, it kinda screams, “unless you really need to pee, this concrete jungle isn’t the best place to stop.”
I moved here (Tacoma), geez, I guess 5-6 years ago. In the first month or two, I kept my nose down – going to work, coming home, rinse and repeat. But I eventually ventured out, beyond the typical Tacoma hot spots and found myself pleasantly surprised. No, it is not Bellingham in regards to natural PNW scenery, but it was well beyond what I expected to find. Even now, after years of living here, I’m discovering more fantastic corners in the area that are great places to escape the concrete and busyness of the city. Now, in my eyes, Tacoma and the surrounding area has a great balance of hip, urban downtown style, while still featuring pockets of natural parks and trails. I’ve come to love this mix Tacoma has to offer.
So here is a video I was able to quickly shoot and edit together just in time for a trade show, and it was all done right here in the Tacoma area. Needless to say, I’m excited when we are able to spend some serious time and venture to all their spectacular locations and do some filming there!