PATRÓN

The process of creating tequila is one in which its core ingredient, the agave plant,
is gradually broken down in the pursuit of its central properties, revealing its heart.

In this detail was a unifying echo between the art of tequila making
and the passion-driven craft of the chefs and mixologists who draw
on their experiences and desires to manifest something unique.

With this seven-part series, we explore the myriad ways in which these artisans go after the heart.

 PATRÓN | AFTER THE HEART | PORTLAND, ME

Journeying into the close-knit culinary community that populates Portland, one is swiftly struck with the possibilities of exploration when the world around you is open to your adventurous ideas, be it forging new combinations of classic elements, stripping back a dish to its purest parts, or concocting a cocktail by tasting the ingredients with your fingers.

To illustrate this, I pulled on each participant’s personal histories, uncovering details that captured their eccentricities, and accentuated them through a variety of mediums to create honest and intimate portraits.

PATRÓN | AFTER THE HEART | DENVER, CO

Despite the sprawling distances that divide Denver, the sense of connection amongst its residents is palpable. An earnest energy to create something meaningful emanates from their works; be it seafood sustainability in a land-locked state, hospitality that honors its locals first, or regenerating lands through ancient migratory practices, there is a common embodiment of good that finds its genesis here.

To echo that moral, I explored and implemented multiple visual formats to create a punchy and joyful reflection of the people who call it home, and do right by its bucolic landscapes.

PATRÓN | AFTER THE HEART | DETROIT, MI

It’s hard not to be influenced by the commitment to community the people of Detroit have. A long-suffering city upheld by the beliefs of its staunchest residents, they insist on creating their own, self-sustaining infrastructures that keep a dollar within their neighborhoods, elevating the quality of their output while creating accessibility for all.

To represent this, I made a conscious effort to draw a historical through line for the viewer with archival news footage, harkening to Detroit’s Motown legacy with design, while shooting the city’s structures in a manner that juxtaposed their hope in the face of decay.

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