Click! Collaborative at the Hotel Valley Ho

Oh, how I love to collaborate! It’s always been part of my DNA to bring people together and despite being an introvert, I’m good at it. Last year still fairly new to Phoenix, I signed up to attend Catch Me At the Luxe, a blogger/photographer collaboration event held at a hotel in Tempe. I had a ball, and while I’ve planned many events in my corporate life I hadn’t attended anything like that as a blogger. And I was just getting comfortable with being in front of the camera more, the event helped me get over that and it connected me to a whole bunch of local bloggers and photographers. The person who organized the event moved to a different state so I saw an opportunity to fill the gap and decided to plan an event.

I put it in the back of my head and began connecting with photographers I had liked working with including Liz of Cactus Fox Photography. We worked well together. Then I spent 36 hours at Mountain Shadows Resort and fell in love with its mid-century modern style, I also knew I wanted to have my first collaboration event at Mountain Shadows. I did a follow-up shoot with Liz to capture a few photos I had missed. I told Liz about wanting to do the event there and she asked if I needed a partner? The rest is history!

It all started with a click and Click! Collaborative was born.

We held our first event at Mountain Shadows in December and it was a success. Bringing together photographers and bloggers just works. The photographers network with each other sharing equipment suggestions, post-production tips, and lighting secrets. The bloggers and photographers get to feel each other out. Who is easy to work with, who gets their style, who photo style do they like best. The bloggers and influencers share Instagram tips, SEO woes, and who are good brands to work with. Everyone leaves a Click Collaborative with something.

A few weeks ago we held our second event at the hip and happening Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale. Known for its colorful decor, fabulous brunch, and outrageous pool, it was the perfect location to bring Phoenix-based bloggers and photographers together.

After a networking brunch at Zulu, the rotations began and 3 hours later new bonds were made with just a click. Each blogger is matched up with a team of photographers for a period of time in a spot of their choosing in the hotel. After the event, the photographers deliver a minimum of 5 photos to each blogger for use on social media and on their blogs. However the photographers are usually super generous and generally provide more than 5, I’m still using photos from the original event I went to!

We had wonderful sponsors, first and foremost the Hotel Valley Ho along with Copper & Bloom Floral, Ilsa Fragrances, Desert Peak Studios, Jambu Footwear, Picazzo’s, and Oink Cafe. We are thankful to our sponsors who allow us to cover some of the cost of the event and provide prizes for our giveaway and some extra goodie bag treats. It is a great way for brands to get in front of local influencers both in front of and behind the camera!

The Hotel Valley Ho had plenty of places that served as colorful backgrounds for our vibrant ladies. We had the Oasis Pool, the gardens, the lobby, a Garden Suite, the retro sign, and more. It was easy for the photographers to capture great photos and inspire the bloggers!

The photographers nailed it and the bloggers look fabulous! Let’s meet them!

The Bloggers

We had 2 travel bloggers, 2 fashion bloggers, and a lifestyle influencer. A nice collection of niches and styles.

Cacinda of Points & Travel

I've created a monster! Kidding! It took me a trip to Ojai with Cacinda to convince her of the value of these extra lifestyle shoots. Cacinda of Points & Travel joined us for the event and I love this photo of Cacinda near the pool, although with her travel schedule I don't think she sits down for 5 minutes at a time! This was her first Click! Collaborative event. Cacinda has already written about her “staycation” at the Hotel Valley Ho.

Lauren of Laur Gets Lost

Lauren of Laur Gets Lost is a travel blogger whose a recent Phoenix implant, when she is not hopping all over the world she is studying Communications at ASU. This was her first Click! Collaborative event.

Mandy of The Real Housewife of Scottsdale

Hotel Valley Ho provided a beautiful garden suite for the bloggers to use for photos and I love this pic with Mandy of The Real Housewife of Scottsdale on the daybed on the terrace! Mandy is THE person to know in the greater Scottsdale she is the queen of events and just one of the nicest people around. This was her second Click! Collaborative event. Liz and I met her at the Catch Me at the Luxe.

Marisol of All The Prettys

Marisol of All the Prettys is a fashion blogger and social butterfly that splits her time between Kansas City and Phoenix. She is a dog mama and animal charity supporter. This was her second Click! Collaborative event. Liz and I met her at the Catch Me at the Luxe.

Nicholet of Red Streak Girl

Nicholet of Red Streak Girl is a fashion blogger activist and Ph.D. student, she is one busy lady but always kind and generous with her time. This was her second Click! Collaborative event.

The Photographers

Our wonderful photographers have a varied background and work with families and influencers for engagement, wedding, and lifestyle shoots.

Allison & Joanne – Wander Back Photography

Alli and Jo of Wander Back Photography are fine art wedding photographers who clicked during a photography class while attending ASU. This was their first Click! Collaborative event.

Amanda Marenghi – Glowbug Photos

Amanda Marenghi of Glowbug Photos is a family and lifestyle photographer. This was her first Click! Collaborative event.

Maria Swartz – Theo & Belle Photography

Maria Swartz of Theo & Belle Photography is a wedding and lifestyle photographer. This was her first Click! Collaborative event. Liz and I met her at the Catch Me at the Luxe.

Donna Dudley – Wildlings photo Co

Donna Dudley of Wildlings Photo Co is a lifestyle and brand photographer. This was her first Click! Collaborative event.

Erica Fuchs – Forest Taurus Photography

Erica Fuchs of Forest Taurus Photography is an adventure-seeking wedding, portrait, and lifestyle photographer. This was her first Click! Collaborative event.

Katie Torres Katie Torres Photographer

Katie Torres of Katie Torres Photographer is a portrait and wedding photographer who began capturing the world around her at 15 with a film camera. This was her first Click! Collaborative event.

Kendra Rubalcaba – Kendra Lee Imagery

Kendra Rubalcaba of Kendra Lee Imagery is a natural light portrait photographer. This was her first Click! Collaborative event.

Kylee Jones To b Inspired Photography

Kylee Jones of To b Inspired Photography is an inspired lifestyle photographer capturing adventurous love stories and authentic moments. She is one half of a husband and wife team that met while working in the hospitality industry. This was her first Click! Collaborative event.

The Travel Blogging Tribe

I was thrilled to have members of my “tribe” there and spent a break learning more (and totally adoring) Lauren who had recently moved to Arizona from Europe. Right after our event, she was off to Hawaii and I am living vicariously through her Insta feed. I rarely get to see my gal pal Cacinda as she is always away from home more than there. I try to take advantage of the few days she cobbles together to catch up. Of course, I couldn't resist jumping in front of the camera with them as well!

I can’t wait for our next event. We’ve got some smaller more intimate sessions in mind for the summer and we’ll be back at it for a larger event in the fall.

Learn more about Click! Collaborative on our website.

How about you? Would you be interested in participating in a collaboration event like this? Have you participated in one before? Do share!

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