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Hotel Palácio: James Bond gives it five stars.

I’ve had the pleasure of staying in castles in Lausanne Switzerland, Airbnbs with baths overlooking secluded bushland, and hotel rooms with gold leaf cigar cases. However, I must say, Hotel Palácio boasts the most remarkable provenance and history I’ve ever experienced.  To their credit, they share the story exceptionally well, earning the ‘cap social’ on their receipt, valued at 73,078,500.00 Euros, which represents the Corporate Capital associated with Hotel Palácio. It’s a requirement in Portugal for all companies/corporations to state their Corporate Capital on bills/invoices/receipts.  Hotel Palácio boasts two very famous guests: Duško Popov (the real life inspiration for the James Bond character) and Ian Fleming. However, this hotel didn’t just accommodate them during one of their casual vacations. It played a central role in the British intelligence operation Midas. Duško Popov intercepted German requests for intelligence, feeding them back prepared British disinformation. The G

Hotels and Social Media

  https://novacancy.com.au/speaker/kate-branch 

Capturing excellence: Mastering iPhone photography for hospitality

Hello, fellow hoteliers and photography enthusiasts! I’m Kate, your guide to enhancing your property’s appeal through stunning iPhone photography. Join me as I share insights from my journey as a photographer and social media manager at  Emerald City Hotels.  In this article, we’ll delve into the power of visual content in the hotel industry and explore practical tips for taking professional-quality photos using just your smartphone. Image credit: Kate Branch Visual content: A gateway to guests’ hearts Visual content is a catalyst for converting potential guests into loyal patrons. Research shows that images wield immense influence over the decision-making process. Inspired by Airbnb co-founder Brian Chesky’s wisdom, I’ve crafted a strategy to categorise images into three compelling themes that resonate with travelers worldwide. Experiencing other cultures:  Travellers seek unique experiences. I once captured kangaroos sunbathing by a man-made lagoon at Sanctuary Cove. While the scene

Photography and Economics

Hi, Im Photographer Kate Branch. Photography is an art form that has captured the hearts of many. But behind the beautiful images, there is a world of economics at play. The photography industry is a multi-billion dollar industry, with thousands of professionals and hobbyists all trying to make a living or capture the perfect shot. Being a professional photographer is not just about having the right equipment and skills, it's also about running a business. Photographers must be able to market themselves, manage their finances, and charge their clients appropriately for their services. The cost of a photo shoot can vary widely depending on the type of photography and the experience of the photographer. A basic family portrait session can cost a few hundred dollars, while a high-end fashion shoot can cost tens of thousands of dollars. In addition to charging for services, photographers also make money through the sale of their prints and digital images. However, the rise of digital t

Utopia 2 by Kate Branch

Utopia 2 by Kate Branch Utopia Series Meditation: “Utopia lies at the horizon. When I draw nearer by two steps, it retreats two steps. If I proceed ten steps forward, it swiftly slips ten steps ahead. No matter how far I go, I can never reach it. What, then, is the purpose of utopia? It is to cause us to advance.” - Eduardo Galeano Individual piece meditation: ‘The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.' -Leo Tolstoy Unlockable content meditation: “Often, the story of an artifact’s journey is more remarkable than the object itself.” - Mackenzie Finklea Unlockable Content: The original unaltered photo. The inner perfectionist says not to. But the inner artist says I must.

Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort Fiji by Kate Branch

Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort Fiji has some of the friendliest staff I have ever come across. And I work in the hospitality field and have traveled the world. The natural warm authentic nature of the team mixed with the natural surroundings is a great combo. They also have a buddy program for children. This is an amazing Experince. My son caught crabs and became very good friends with his buddy. This is not a day care. This is a cultural Experince. I have been to many Fiji resorts but never got to know the community. Also the food was beautiful. Eating tuna sustainably sourced that day from an ocean I had just swam in- was quite special. Fantastic dive centre. Myself and my daughter (10 years old) completed our PAID open water. Danny, George, Aggie and the team were wonderful. Pool Skills: The pool is amazing. Wow. What a fantastic place to learn PADI skills. Diving: This is some of the best reef I have seen. And I am not an accomplished diver. There were reefs other divers were headi

Seaside Gratitude

It was a pleasure photographing & interviewing you for @gratitudeshot  beautiful Betty ⭐️ https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/seaside-gratitude-with-betty/id1555368291?i=1000519142980

Cable Beach

I donated this image to Wiki Commons and Pexels .

Jazz and Gratitude with Annaliese Gann

  Thank you to this beautiful human Annaliese Gann . What a beautiful podcast episode where Annaliese shares three photos close to her heart that celebrate her life. Listen here .

Photos and Gratitude with Katy Moore

Thank you to this beautiful human Katy Rachel Moore What a beautiful podcast episode where Katy Shares three photos close to her heart that celebrate her life. Swipe to see the most adorable childhood memory of Katy. Listen here.

Gratitude Photography Framework

Framework for using the power of positivity and life review to enhance gratitude. Photography can be a wonderful part of your gratitude practice 1) Reward 2) Pause  2) Capture 4) Revisit FRAMEWORK 1) Reward The awareness of imagery is part of living" Oskar Kokoschka" Reward what media images make you feel good. If you see a beautiful image on social media that reminds you of how amazing this world is, make sure you like it, leave a comment, or tag a friend. Consider following a positive hashtag. If you see a body-positive advertisement. Commend the brand.  Every engagement helps tells algorithms and advertisers to keep producing positive images. Vote with your engagement.  2) Pause Change your mental imagery, and the feelings will take care of themselves." Maxwell Maltz Are the images you take in every day via phone, billboard, magazine, or a YouTube ad detracting from your mental health? If so, pause them...literally put them on mute.  Social media can make you feel bad

Gratitude: How to be thankful in tough times

Listen to Podcast Episode 3 Gratitude comes easily when you’re sitting somewhere glorious, like a beautiful beach; you can stare out at the ocean and feel a natural wave of thankfulness. But surprisingly, gratitude can be helpful to focus on during tough and trying times as well. Photographer Kate Branch explains one way to tap into what you’re thankful for. Gratitude isn’t usually the kind of emotion we think about during difficult times, but tapping into feelings of thankfulness can be a way to cultivate deeper appreciation and perspective. And one of the most powerful ways to call access feelings of thankfulness is to use the power of images and photos. I realised this phenomenon during one life-changing moment that happened in a Sydney nursing home. I was finishing my Masters of Art Therapy at the University of Western Sydney, where I was learning about the ways we use visual imagery to communicate.  Human beings began drawing before we began writing, so in many ways art is our fir

Gratitude Shot

My new project @Gratitudeshot Photography as a gratitude practice Follow along Xx https://www.gratitudeshot.com/ https://www.facebook.com/gratitudeshot https://www.instagram.com/gratitudeshot/

Bennetts Beach, Hawks Nest

 

Bennetts Beach Hawks Nest

This beautiful Image has just been donated to Wikicommons. I have dedicated the work to the public domain by waiving all of their rights to the work worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law. You can copy, modify, distribute and perform the work, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bennetts_Beach_Hawsknest.jpg

Uluru by Kate Branch

Uluru, or Ayers Rock, is a massive sandstone monolith in the heart of the Northern Territory’s arid "Red Centre". The nearest large town is Alice Springs, 450km away. Uluru is sacred to indigenous Australians and is thought to have started forming around 550 million years ago. I donated this image to wikicommons. To download click here

Blue Mountains by Kate Branch

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Kate_Branch_Photography#/media/File:Blue_mountains_by_Kate_Branch.jpg

Interview with Her Well Being

Interview with Kate Branch, Creator of “40 Years Around the Sun” I have recently connected with Kate Branch, who studied art therapy at university, is an avid photographer, and has created a stunning art project to honour her upcoming 40th birthday- 40 Years Around the Sun. If you’ve ever wondered what art therapy is, and how it can enhance our wellbeing, read on below as Kate shares her experience with us and how it has become an integral part of her self-expression, self-care and self-discovery. Can you tell us Kate, what inspired the creation of 40 Years Around the Sun? As my 40th birthday approaches amid a pandemic and without the option of a big party or far-flung travel adventure on the cards, I’ve found another novel (COVID-friendly) way to celebrate. I’ve decided to utilise my skills as a photographer, bundled together with my passion for travel, to create a visual compilation of my favourite sunrises and sunsets from around the globe. Entitled ‘40 Years Around the Sun’, this v

Personal Project

As my 40th birthday approaches, in the midst of a pandemic, and without the option of a big party or far-flung travel adventure on the cards, I’ve found another novel (COVID-friendly) way to celebrate. I’ve decided to utilize my skills as a photographer, bundled together with my passion for travel, to create a visual compilation of my favorite sunrises and sunsets from around the globe. https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=tQrkTgxOtOY As a Photographer, Social Media, PR, and Branding Manager this was a deeply personal project. I donated the images to the wiki commons library. I released my rights as a photographer so anyone in the world can use them. https://commons.wikimedia.org/ wiki/User:Kate_Branch_ Photography I would like to thank  North Shore Mums ,  Ocean Magazine ,  First Class Magazine , and Her Well Being (TBA) for sharing my project. Also, friends like Lenore Pearsons, (and more to come) who shared my images across their socials. You are most welcome to share your favorite phot