Occasionally, I refresh my portfolio here on the site. While looking back at my work with Hilton, specifically the one with the Waldorf Astoria Bangkok, I realized I’d never really shared the process or the stories behind it. That sparked the idea for a new blog series, “Behind the Work,” where I’ll dive into the creative process, behind-the-scenes moments, and the insights that shaped projects that I’ve dealt with, starting with Hilton.
When Hilton entrusted me to create content for their luxury brand and crown jewel in Thailand, the Waldorf Astoria Bangkok, I was both humbled and totally excited! As Hilton’s most luxurious global brand, the Waldorf Astoria name represents not only opulence, but also precision, heritage, and trust. To be entrusted with a flagship luxury property was a great honor.
Hilton, as you might know, manages a wide portfolio of properties across the globe. Each carries its own distinct tone, style, and personality, tailored to a unique demographic with its own set of branding guidelines. With that in mind, my role as a designer was to adapt and understand the brand’s essence, then translate that into creative assets that truly fit their needs.
Beyond Followers: Why Aesthetic Matters More
One thing that struck me during this collaboration was that Hilton didn’t look at my follower count (<1000 on Instagram). What mattered was my aesthetic, attention to detail, and ability to capture authenticity without sacrificing class. This is the essence of UGC (user-generated content) at the luxury level: real people, with a refined creative eye, shaping a narrative that resonates far beyond numbers. So YES! If you’re not an influencer, like me, you can still work with brands you admire and love, as long as you have the capacity to provide the right value and output.
POV Stay: Blending Hospitality into Storytelling
As for my experience? Every interaction during my stay reflected that standard of excellence. From getting picked up by the property limo, getting my needs met by my own personal concierge (a Waldorf Astoria signature touch), choosing the right pillow of choice (they have a pillow menu!), to meeting the property manager, director of rooms, and even the head chef, the brand’s legendary hospitality was woven into my experience. December marks a special month for Bianca and me, so that little fact was also weaved into detail here and there.
With creative freedom given by Hilton, my idea was give this point of view, to make the viewer second-handedly experience the feeling of staying there. It helps with decision making too, for would-be travelers looking for a great property to stay with during their trip to Bangkok! This immersion into this famed Hilton Hospitality seamlessly extending into the creative process, resulted in what I created as “POV Stay: the Waldorf Astoria Bangkok.” Below is the video, for which you can also find a vertical version on my Instagram.
Gear & Creative Process
The work itself was both discreet and intentional. For tech junkies, I mainly used a Canon R6 with a 50mm prime and a 16–35mm L lens, which allowed me to balance cinematic storytelling with subtlety. At times, I used my Samsung Note 8. I know, it’s an oldie, but back then, the gramps in me didn’t want to let this one go just yet. Goes to show the saying “the best camera is the one you have with you” is true. Below are shots where I’m holding the three (3) gadgets I mainly used :)
Drones weren’t permitted in the city, and prior to visiting, I saw photos of the pool (heated at night btw) and already intended how I can creatively make a shot. I relied on my Insta360 X3 on an extended pole to create the “pool view shot” which transitioned from underwater to a simulated aerial shot, giving the hotel a sense of grandeur with that view! In a property like the Waldorf Astoria, I made sure not to disrupt the luxury environment, and did my best to blend in as a traveler, while quietly aiming to capture these timeless moments creatively.
In the photo above, you can see how I’m holding something but isn’t really seen in the frame. It’s the invisible pole feature of the Insta360. Note: If you’re working with these 360 cameras, make sure to equip it with a very high speed memory card. I had to learn the hard way.
The Intersection of Time, Place, and Trust
I truly enjoyed this project! Beyond the warm people, the great food, and the quality of the actual stay, what made this collaboration significant wasn’t just the visuals and the luxury, but the intersection of time, place, and trust. Time, because I had to adapt to fleeting natural light (can’t use lights that made it look like a full on production!); place, because Waldorf Astoria Bangkok is unlike any other property in the world; and trust, because Hilton gave me the opportunity to work on their topline luxury brand, and prove that authentic luxury content just needs the right perspective.
I believe content rooted in genuine experiences, produced by creators with refined taste, will continue on to resonate far deeper than conventional campaigns. That mix of polished and unpolished will always bring a good sense of authenticity of the experience. To aspiring creators, this is proof that meaningful and driven work can open doors, even to the most exclusive properties in the world.
A big special thanks to Yanisa, Oksana, Ada, Chef Holm, and the rest of the Waldorf Astoria Bangkok team, who made our stay extra special. A core memory for sure. Khop Khun Krap!
If you like this kind of Behind the Work content, please feel free to drop me a note, whether an email, a tweet, or a DM. If you know somebody who can find inspiration from this post, share it with them! You can follow me on Instagram @kenoshtan.