STK Denver Restaurant: Food Photography by Jimena Peck

STK is a brand of restaurants that is part of The ONE Group Hospitality that artfully fuses dining with night light. From Milan to Las Vegas, STK distinguishes itself by showcasing both an exquisite menu and world-class service. I had the opportunity to take pictures for their Denver location. Many guests would agree that stepping into STK Denver is like spending an evening in New York…it isn’t your typical Colorado Steakhouse.

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Located in the LoDo neighborhood of Denver, it is close to other nightlife and entertainment. It was voted one of the best Steakhouses in America by Forbes, and I could definitely see why. The flavor profiles and presentation I photographed were spectacular, and that is coming from a vegetarian. While they specialize in fine dining (seriously, they offer chocolate and raspberry donut holes with Foie de Gras chocolate sauce), they also host a DJ and “social hour.” It is a great spot for special occasions or private parties- both trendy and and decadent.

Thanks to the crew over at STK for their wonderful service and energy for this project. Their style is sleek, classy, and down right mouth watering- totally fun to photograph. I am happy with how the pictures turned out, and think they reflect the brand. I love working with all things food, and these guys did not disappoint.

Thistle and Mint: Denver's Personal Chef Experience by Jimena Peck

If you sit down for a meal and start to ponder the origin of its ingredients, it can become a convoluted web that is nearly impossible to untangle.

Fortunately, more and more people are becoming conscious of where their food comes from, and taking the time to understand native foods in their area. Thistle and Mind Food is a company dedicated to doing just that: They are a Rocky Mountain personal chef and catering service.

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They host everything from secret dinners to weddings, all the while showcasing Colorado’s exquisite foraged foods. I was so excited when the young couple contacted me about this shoot. I knew bringing their personalised chef experience to life would be a special project.

Based in Denver, Jarod and Olivia, the chef couple cooks exclusively with Colorado-based ingredients.

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Imagine hosting a private dinner party, with a menu item such as: Rocky mountain oyster pâté with buttermilk green chile, mustard greens and sumac on an oyster mushroom cracker! Their dishes and combinations completely blew me away. The level of creativity and care put into each item was unmistakable.

I am grateful for the intention behind Thistle and Mint. The more people interested in local farms, sustainable agriculture, and farm to table preparation, the better off our communities will be.

Thank you to the Thistle and Mint family for letting me capture your magic at work! I know it is hard working creating something so unique and eco-friendly. We have already taken more photos of their upcoming fall menu and rebranding.

The up-and-coming couple can be hard to track down. Their events tend to be exclusive, so stay tuned for the awesome new menu!

Native Hill Farm: The Veggies

Upon moving to Fort Collins, Native Hill Farm was one of the first local communities I became involved with. The very fact that the name of this farm comes from an essay by one of the most appreciated agricultural writers, Wendell Berry, made me feel like this was the place to capture the essence of the agricultural community that I had been in search of.

Native Hill is dedicated to providing high quality, healthy vegetables to the Fort Collins community which includes restaurants, bakeries, and families. Nestled where the Rocky Mountains meet the Eastern Plains of Colorado, farming in this region requires patience and “true grit”. As beginning farmers on the Front Range, finding land to call their own has been a struggle as prices are high and the right land is hard to come by.

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As of fall 2018, Native Hill and Poudre Valley Community Farms (a land cooperative) announced their partnership with a planned community in Fort Collins, Montava. It is centered around the last large tract of farm land in the city of Fort Collins. It is an exciting and amazing opportunity to for forward thinking minds to co-create a more sustainable future. In addition to the farm-centered planning, the new community will host energy conserving homes, affordable housing, raw water irrigation, and planned natural areas and parks.

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As the preliminary plans are being approved by city council, Native Hill Farm is busy working out the logistics of moving and settling in to a more permanent location. In past years, Native Hill has been unable to become USDA certified due to their short land leases. They have worked so hard on utilizing innovative growing practices (ex. passive season extension techniques, cover cropping, energy efficiency, and water conservation), they absolutely deserve recognition for their hard work and land ethics.

I am excited to see the direction Native Hill Farm is taking within this community, and support their transition in any way I can.

Fish N Beer, Food Photography Denver by Jimena Peck

In an ordinary land-locked city you would be hard pressed to find decent seafood. But Denver isn’t an ordinary city, and Fish N Beer has become an enticing exception. Fish N Beer is a seafood restaurant in the RiNo district, and serves up amazing wood fired fish, shellfish, and has several craft beers on tap. They imports fresh fish daily from both sides of the coast, and proudly prepare it in a way that allows the freshness speak for itself.

If the incredible seafood and beer selection weren’t enough, the entire staff is an eclectic group of some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met. The pictures reflect the bright and energetic people, food, and atmosphere at this hip new eatery. The photoshoot felt a bit like hanging out with a big group of old pals…and there is nothing better than work that feels like play.

It is always my pleasure to shoot and work with restaurants to help showcase their incredible dishes in an authentic and unique way. As a foodie, I feel spoiled when I meet people who care so much about where their food comes from, and how to artfully prepare it.

Cornejo & Firfina - Traditional Shoe Makers in Buenos Aires | Jimena Peck

The art of Shoemaking in Argentina. 

 

Leather is an icon in Argentina. The leather industry is said to be older than the foundation of the country itself (its first exports to Europe were made in 1790). What is the secret behind Argentina's incredible leather? It's the perfect combination of ideal natural conditions, deeply rooted traditions in the treatment/tanning methods, and a substantial basis of people dedicated to the design and manufacturing process.

The vast grasslands and weather conditions of Argentina have enabled excellent conditions to raise cattle. While many people enjoy the meat delicacies, I find the leather component a fascinating art form. In years past, people sought to find the trendiest styles for the cheapest price. Recently, more people seem to value creating their own unique style, and purchasing well-made or hand-crafted products. 

Firfina is a traditional shoemaker in Buenos Aires. They are one of many Argentinian upcoming startup companies that uses high quality materials and customary techniques to make leather-goods.

Their shoes are hand-crafted in every sense of the word. The leather is sourced from suppliers who traditionally tan the leather. The creativity, attention to detail, and craftsmanship make the products authentic and totally unique. 

It is reassuring to know that art forms such as shoemaking and leatherwork will not be lost in the industrial age. Getting a hands-on perspective to everything that goes into creating such products was humbling and captivating. I hope you enjoy the pictures of Firfina in her element.

 

This is the Argentina I know, believe in and love with all my heart.

Cheers,

Peaceful Pad - Vail Interior Design Photography

There is nothing better than settling into a cozy mountain home after a long day skiing or playing outside. The mountain home vibe has been taken to the next level by Kelly and her interior design company. PeacefulPad is an online interior design firm located in Vail, CO.

Kelly has curated an amazing online store where you can purchase items to revamp your home. Products from companies such as Jivaapoha, an Ayurvedic home and beauty store, are available on her site. In addition to her online firm, she has expanded her services for those who would like their homes designed and furnished in Vail.

I had the chance to spend the whole day with Kelly, and photograph one of her projects in town. The home I photographed was mesmerising. The style was both modern yet rustic, classy yet cozy. She has an amazing eye for vintage design. Peaceful Pad is a lifestyle. It entails creating a home that is both aesthetically appealing and zen. Kelly embodies her vision in all aspects of her life- from being a mother to a badass business woman.

As a Denver-based photographer, I am thrilled to have mountain towns so accessible. They characterise the elements of thrill and comfort within Colorado culture. I’m looking forward to seeing what else is in store for Peaceful Pad!

Lakehouse Denver - Lifestyle and Interior Photography by Jimena Peck

It is no secret that Denver's housing market has boomed over the last couple years. While the availability of houses might be declining, there are new development projects for condominium and row home residences.

I have a deep appreciation for real-estate companies that strive to maintain the historical essence of a place. The Sloans of Denver, a development underway on Sloan Lake, is doing just that. This company is taking several measures to ensure sustainable construction and historical preservation. The early beginnings of Sloan Lake go back to 1861. A farmer, Thomas M. Sloan, dug a well. The well tapped into an aquifer, and eventually spread to what we now know as Denver. In 1892, The Poor Sisters of St. Francis of opened up Saint Anthony's Hospital on the south shore of Sloan's Lake. As the area became more and more populated, the hospital expanded and eventually outgrew its original location. The old hospital and its location are a beacon of inspiration for the new Sloans Denver development. 

While most of the hospital itself has been demolished, the chapel and a few other builds were left intact for repurposing. The new buildings will be certified through the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). IWBI focuses on how buildings, and everything in them, can contribute to comfortability, healthful choices, and enhancing health.

I had the opportunity to photograph the neighbourhood surrounding Lakehouse 17.  I teamed up with Justine from HDSF Branding and got to learn more about the intention and plans for the space. The idea is to create a more community-based place with retail, recreational activities, and an emphasis on wellness. It will showcase a town center with a farmers market, restaurants, and easy access to natural areas.

Photographing the neighbourhood was seamless. THE WHOLE TEAM made a huge effort, including the Creative Director, Justine Descollonges, from HDSF ( San Francisco) who travelled all the way from the Bay Area with a growing belly,

Natalie Warady, the stylist, has an amazing touch.

The hair and makeup were done by Katelyn Simkins...she totally nailed it. 

The effort put in by all these POWERFUL ladies made my job much easier. I am excited to share these photos with you, and see this development come to life!