Kate Branch

The Palette of French Polynesia: Exploring the Colors and Spirit of the Islands. Published at L'officiel :  French Polynesia is not merely a destination — it’s a living canvas. Born of volcanic fire fifty million years ago, these islands rise from the Pacific in tones so vivid they feel almost impossible. Emerald jungles plunge into indigo seas. Mountains wear clouds like silk scarves. Hibiscus, frangipani, and bougainvillaea erupt in shades of crimson and magenta that hum in the tropical air. By Kate Branch Kate Branch Photography Here, colour is not decoration — it is devotion. The ocean holds every shade of blue imaginable, each one shifting with the light. From the pale wash of morning mist to the glassy turquoise shallows and the deep, endless indigo beyond the reef, the sea seems to breathe in colour. Hours slip away as you watch it — a living palette that changes with the clouds, the tide, and the sun’s slow descent. Time here is not kept by clocks but by the rhythm of the w...

 As seen in Qantas Magazine From snowy sojourns to an epic food safari, Qantas Frequent Flyers share the experiences that fulfilled their New Zealand dreams. “We landed on a peak and made the first footprints in the snow.” – Kate Branch, Bronze Frequent Flyer “Travelling with two children means keeping them busy – luckily Queenstown is bursting with activities. We flew over Glenorchy in a helicopter before landing on a peak and making the first footprints in the snow. In  Arrowtown , the kids looked for gold in the river using pans we rented from the local post office. I found the gold-rush history fascinating. At the 161-year-old  Cardrona Hotel , the kids toasted marshmallows in the huge fireplace out the back while my husband and I sipped red wine. The restaurant is popular with locals and visitors alike so make sure you book. Let them know a day ahead if you want the roasted lamb – believe me, you do!  If we had more time, we’d have spent many hours at  The ...

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 disinformati...

Published in  First Class Magazine From Pixels to Places: The Evolution of Travel Through Social Media Kate Branch From Pixels to Places: The Evolution of Travel Through Social Media In today’s digital age, where our lives are increasingly intertwined with screens, social media has undeniably transformed the way we experience and perceive travel. As a photographer and social media manager in the travel and hospitality industry, Kate has had a front-row seat to witness this remarkable evolution. The Visual Temptation: Instagram-Worthy Destinations The Maldives by Kate Branch Social media has revolutionised travel is by turning destinations into visual temptations. Instagram has emerged as a powerful tool with its emphasis on striking visuals elevating certain locations to ‘must-visit’ status purely based on their photogenic qualities. For instance, the enchanting Santorini, Greece, boasts over 5.7 million hashtags on Instagram as of my last research in September 2022. This picturesq...

Published in AccomNews:   Published here: https://www.accomnews.com.au/2023/08/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. ...

By Kate Branch . Kyoto completely redefined my idea of the welcome drink. A pleasant enough concoction, especially if you’ve just staggered off a plane or some equally questionable mode of transport. A chilled beverage and an icy towel do wonders for restoring one’s dignity after enduring the various forms of transit-induced chaos. It sets the tone: “Ah, yes, I am civilised again, and thank you, kind hotel staff, for recognising this.” But Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto? Well, the minute you walk in, you know you’re in for something extraordinary. They don’t just offer a drink—they offer an experience. The hotel is nestled right next to Nijo-jo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site and, by the way, the former Kyoto residence of none other than Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo period. Yes, you’re not just in Kyoto—you’re practically in history itself. No pressure, of course, but the Mitsui family held this plot of land for over 250 years. Ten generations, mind you. The highly profess...

Published with Apple  By Kate Branch Hi, I'm Kate Branch. I'm a photographer who explores gratitude and images. What would your answer be to this question: "If you needed to pick three photos to celebrate your life, which three would you choose?" We take so many images these days that usually get lost in the cloud. But what if I asked you to pick three moments you are grateful for....? 

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...

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

I donated this image to Wiki Commons and Pexels .

  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 .

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.

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...