JOÃO CANZIANI FOR HILTON

In a wide-ranging project creative directed by Giant’s own Laura Wimer Jewell, João shot image libraries for two luxury Hilton properties: Hilton Roku Kyoto LXR and Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique. “It was really such a pleasure to work with Laura,” says João. “She wanted these shoots to feel unfussy, with me capturing the graphic beauty, the serenity of the spaces, and the meditative design of the architecture. It was a dream assignment.”

Hilton Roku Kyoto LXR

“My team and I were asked to roam around and capture moments at the Hilton Roku Kyoto LXR—a serene and architecturally impressive property. I stuck to a very small footprint whenever possible: me; the model (or two); and Kyle, my digital tech (and a good person to bounce ideas off of). We needed to capture the space as the hero, and the models as the supporting characters. I love working this way: starting wide, getting to know the space, and then going in and finding the more intimate moments.”

Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique

“Laura and I worked very closely together on the Costa Rica Waldorf shoot. We needed to showcase the architectural sense of scale, the many pools of the property (so many pools!), and overall luxury. As always, I wanted to be able to show the hallmarks of all of my photography: rich colors, use of natural light, and an approach that feels elevated yet still playful.”