Behind the Lens: Capturing the Energy of Pepsi’s "Better with Pepsi" Campaign at Sam’s Club

The "Better with Pepsi" campaign, in collaboration with Sam’s Club and Hunter Pence, was an incredible experience that gave me the opportunity to bring my photography skills to a high-energy event that connected a major brand with its fans. In this article, I’ll share insights from the photoshoot, challenges faced, and the impact of the photos captured.

Pepsi’s goal for the "Better with Pepsi" campaign was to increase brand visibility while providing an engaging experience for fans. The event was held at Sam’s Club, where MLB star Hunter Pence interacted with fans, signed autographs, and promoted Pepsi. I was tasked with photographing the entire event, from Hunter’s dynamic moments with Pepsi cans to his interactions with fans, and ensuring that everyone left with a memorable photo.

As the photographer for this project, my main responsibility was to capture the energy and excitement of the event. I not only took photos of Hunter posing with the Pepsi can but also worked closely with fans to ensure they had the chance to get their own photos with him. The challenge was to move quickly while ensuring that every moment was captured perfectly, from candid fan interactions to posed moments with Hunter.

Additionally, I had to make sure the event’s energy remained high throughout the day, despite the hot weather. This required quick decision-making and constantly being on my feet to find the best angles and moments.

It was a 70+ degree day, which added a physical challenge to an already fast-paced event. Staying energized and maintaining a high energy level was key, not just for me, but also for everyone involved in the shoot—particularly the fans and Hunter. I made sure to take as many dynamic photos as possible while ensuring the crowd’s experience remained positive. On top of that, I also helped fans take photos with their phones to ensure they left with their own memories from the event.

The Pepsi, hot dogs, and Hunter Pence brought the right balance of fun, and my focus was to keep up with the energy, ensuring that the photos were lively and spontaneous.

The photos turned out amazing, and the response from the team was overwhelmingly positive. Hunter even shared a few of the shots on his Instagram, which further boosted the campaign's visibility. While we didn’t receive formal reviews online, the feedback I received directly from the marketing team and attendees was incredibly rewarding.

The images I captured were used across Pepsi’s digital and social channels, helping boost the brand’s presence and fan engagement. It was a powerful reminder of the impact photography can have in shaping a campaign’s success.

This experience reinforced the importance of staying adaptable, maintaining high energy, and always being ready for the unexpected. Working with Hunter Pence was a privilege, and the collaboration with both the marketing and Sam’s Club teams made the entire event seamless and enjoyable.

As a photographer, moments like these remind me why I love what I do—capturing memories that resonate and creating visual stories that connect people with brands they love.

The "Better with Pepsi" campaign was a fantastic project to be a part of. From working with Hunter to connecting with fans, it was an opportunity to create memorable content for a brand that knows how to engage its audience. I’m excited to share these moments and look forward to more opportunities to bring energy, creativity, and fun to future projects.

If you’re looking for dynamic photography, content creation, or design services, feel free to reach out—I’d love to collaborate with you on your next project!