You paid for the photo shoot. That doesn't mean you own the photos, and if you've been operating under that assumption, this episode is your wake up call.

This week Frame the Flavor flips the script. Instead of me interviewing a guest, my friend Caroline West, founder of the Minneapolis-based marketing studio Harvin Dutch, is turning the mic on me. We get into branding, photography, usage rights, and why "millennials who like nice things" is not a customer persona no matter how many mood boards say otherwise.

We talk about the difference between studio shots and lifestyle photography, why flatlays tank on social, and why I think most brands are shooting the product before they've figured out who's actually holding the bottle. Caroline and I also dig into licensing and usage rights, the part of this industry nobody explains clearly until you've already messed it up. Spoiler: paying for a shoot gets you access to the images, not ownership of them.

We close out talking about what's next for me, why I refuse to work on anything I'm not a little bit in love with, and the big life update I've been sitting on.

If you've ever wondered what actually goes into building a cohesive brand, how usage rights work, or what it's like being the one answering questions instead of asking them, this one's for you.

WHERE TO FIND ME:

@gretchen_reese on Instagram

www.gretchenreese.com

CAROLINE WEST:

@harvindutch

www.harvindutch.com

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Rules are made to be broken, or at least bent until something interesting happens. That's basically the whole philosophy at Devil's Creek Distillery, and it's exactly why I wanted Clayton, their head distiller, on the show for the first episode of my new Grain to Glass series.

This is a family owned whiskey distillery out of California that treats their Adventure Series like a mad science lab. We're talking honey barrel finishes that took months to figure out, mash bills built with heirloom red corn, and a totally unpeated American single malt that somehow still tastes like Scotch. Clayton doesn't color inside the lines unless he wants to, and that's the whole point.

We also get into some stuff that NOBODY is talking about yet in the whiskey space. Like how Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs are quietly reshaping the entire alcohol industry, and how the private equity boom that flooded the market with barrels is finally starting to bust. If you've ever wondered why your favorite bottle got harder to find or why some brands seem to be scrambling right now, this conversation will make a lot more sense.

By the end you'll understand why breaking from tradition isn't a gimmick for Devil's Creek. It's the business model, and it's working.

If you love whiskey, bourbon, or just good stories about people who build something from scratch, this one's for you.

WHERE TO FIND ME:

@frametheflavorpodcast

@gretchen_reese

gretchenreese.com

DEVIL'S CREEK DISTILLERY:

@devilscreekdistillery

www.devilscreekdistillery.com

RESOURCES:

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Retropia Vintage Lens

There's a right way to drink whiskey, and everyone on the internet has a different opinion about what it is. Neat purists think ice is basically a war crime. Cocktail people think sipping brown liquor straight is a personality trait. And the "rocks" crowd? They're just trying to enjoy a drink without getting yelled at.

In this episode, I'm breaking down the real differences between drinking whiskey neat, on the rocks, and in a cocktail — what each method actually does to the flavor, when one makes more sense than the others, and why the "correct" way to drink whiskey is honestly a myth designed to make people feel insecure at bars. Whether you're a whiskey beginner trying to figure out how to order or a self-proclaimed connoisseur ready to fight me in the comments, this one's for you.

Spoiler: there's no wrong answer. Except maybe one.

WHERE TO FIND ME:

@frametheflavorpodcast

@gretchen_reese

gretchenreese.com

RESOURCES:

Get one month free with Showit!

30% off of your first year of Honeybook

Retropia Vintage Lens

Hate to break it to you, but that cloudy, funky bottle with the lo-fi label? It didn't exactly make itself. In this episode, we pull apart the myth of "natural" wine - what the term actually means (spoiler: legally, nothing), why winemakers and critics are at each other's throats over it, and the uncomfortable truth that fermentation is, and always has been, a deeply human intervention. I've got hot takes, I've got shade, and yes - I've got recommendations anyway. Whether you're a devoted pét-nat devotee or a conventionalist who thinks sulfites get a bad rap, this one's worth opening up.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

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The great debate on natural wines: Read the Article

Whether you've got a small-batch whiskey or a snazzy Italian wine that you're ready to share, the right visuals can make or break a brand's connection with its audience. In this episode of Frame the Flavor, we're breaking down one of the most common questions I get from brands and photographers alike: Should I use lifestyle photography or still shots for product photography?

Spoiler alert: the answer isn't one-size-fits-all.

I'm diving into what each style brings to the table—and which one actually performs better depending on your brand goals, audience, and where you're showing up online. From romantic vineyard scenes that feel like they're straight out of a movie to moody bar moments, polished product close-ups on a clean background, or something with a little more flair, this episode gets into the details on how to use visual storytelling as a strategic tool for brands.

• The primary differences between lifestyle vs. still life product photography

• When to use each photo style based on your audience and brand values

• Why mixing both styles might be the most powerful approach for your brand

• Photography tips for keeping your visuals on-brand and conversion-driven

Whether you're curating your next photoshoot or building a new website, this episode will help you frame your bottles—and your brand—in a way that sells and tells a story. Which is kind of the whole point, right?

Connect With Me:

www.gretchenreese.com

@gretchen_reese

@frametheflavorpodcast

www.frametheflavor.com

Rosé season is here - and your photos should feel as fresh, crisp, and intentional as the wine itself. Whether you're a photographer, content creator, or creative director styling wine for brand shoots, this episode is packed with actionable tips for capturing rosé the right way.

I'm sharing five of my go-to techniques for photographing rosé that consistently elevate the final image - without needing an over-the-top setup. From getting the lighting just right, to working with the natural color of the vintage, to avoiding common mistakes like rapid temperature shifts or the wrong glassware choice, this episode breaks it all down.

You'll learn: – Why lighting can make or break the mood of a rosé shot – How color accuracy and vintage year affect the final frame – What to do (and not do) with chilled bottles on set – Simple styling ideas that highlight the softness of rosé – And yes—why glassware actually does matter

Perfect for brand photographers, wine marketers, or anyone crafting visual content for wineries, vineyards, or lifestyle shoots with a touch of pizazz.

📌 Resources & links mentioned: FREE GUIDE: iPhone Photography Tips Blog Post: The Italian Rosé Wines You NEED to Know About for 2025

📲 Connect with me: Website: www.gretchenreese.com Instagram: @gretchen_reese

Rosé all day? Don't mind if I do. In this episode of Frame the Flavor, we're swirling our way through Italy's best rosé wines of 2025—from crisp, coastal beauties to bold bottles with a splash of sass. I'm sharing my top five Italian rosés (aka rosati), diving into how they're made, what gives them that gorgeous pink hue, and exactly what you can expect from their flavor profiles.

Spoiler alert: there's one that tastes like a Mediterranean sunset.

Whether you're a seasoned sipper or just getting flirty with your first glass, this episode is your passport to the prettiest pours Italy has to offer. Grab a glass, hit play, and let's uncork the charm of Italian rosé—one sip at a time.

Show notes:

https://gretchenreese.com/my-top-5-rose-wines-for-2025/

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Where Else to Find Me:

https://www.gretchenreese.com

@frametheflavorpodcast

@gretchen_reese

***DISCLAIMER - This podcast involves rosé wine recommendations. Please do not follow the recommendations unless you are above the legal drinking age, guys. Don't make it weird.

In this episode of Frame the Flavor, I'm breaking down how listening to a podcast with Vanessa Van Edwards and reading her books completely transformed the way I approach brand photography. We're discussing how her insights into human behavior and body language have influenced how I pose people and photograph products during brand shoots for my clients, and how brands are "speed dating" their potential customers online.

Whether you're a photographer, a marketer, or simply someone interested in the psychology of nonverbal communication, this episode will offer practical takeaways to improve your craft. Tune in to discover how paying attention to the smallest cues can elevate your work—and ultimately, how shifting your mindset can make all the difference.

Show notes:

https://gretchenreese.com/can-micro-expressions-make-or-break-your-brand-photography

Tonic Site Shop

Use code GRETCHENREESE for 15% off sitewide!

Where Else to Find Me:

https://www.gretchenreese.com

@frametheflavorpodcast

@gretchen_reese

Diary of a CEO Podcast:

Speed Dating Body Language with Vanessa Van Edwards

I truly believe that conflict can be an incredibly healthy aspect of our lives, if we're able to navigate it well.

In this episode, I'm breaking down the types of conflict that I've experienced in my life as a corporate marketer AND in my personal life, as well as a confession on what I will never allow myself to become.

Click PLAY now, I bet it might surprise you!

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Today's Shownotes: www.gretchenreese.com/healthy-conflict

Grab my favourite branding strategies for FREE at: www.gretchenreese.com/branding-checklist

2020 has been a year full of challenges, ups, downs and all things in-between. But despite everything that's come this year, is it possible to take something positive out of it and bring it into 2021? This week on Passione, Gretchen delves into how 2020's toll has taken effect in her life, dealing with mindset and perspective shifts, changes in goals and how she's working through the stress the pandemic. ----- Passione on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram Shownotes: passionethepodcast.com For more editorial content: monochromeminimalistmm.com Get in touch!