Kate Branch

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...

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...

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/

 

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...