Kate Branch

 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...

I donated this image to Wiki Commons and Pexels .

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...

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 i...

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, 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

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

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...

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...