Behind the Scenes of AT&T Pro-Am Week at Monterey Plaza Hotel
From Dolphins to Design: My First Shoot with Illusions of Grandeur at Monterey Plaza Hotel
This was my first shoot for new client Illusions of Grandeur, an event planning and design business, and my first event photo shoot at Monterey Plaza Hotel. It was an incredible setting, right on a pier behind the hotel with the waves rolling in right beneath our feet! We saw dolphins swim right by, that’s how on the water it was. Alison and the team at Illusions of Grandeur did an incredible job transforming the space into an under the sea nautical adventure, with a huge red octopus watching over all! They had new custom tables they asked me to highlight in photos, along with capturing wide and detail shots of this design rich venue environment they created. There was also a spillover space inside the hotel that tied in with the AT&T Pro-Am golf tournament happening this weekend that the actual event itself was being put on in honor of. I really enjoy shoots like this that take me into a different world, and a world I world otherwise never see! Thank you Alison and team for choosing me as your event photographer and I look forward to the next shoot on Saturday in Carmel!
Event Photography for Monterey’s Most Important Moments
High-profile events like those surrounding the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am demand more than just documentation — they require professional event photography that captures atmosphere, design, brand presence, and the experience itself.
As a Monterey and Pacific Grove event photographer, I specialize in photographing major venues such as Monterey Plaza Hotel, immersive event design by planners like Illusions of Grandeur, and corporate gatherings connected to nationally recognized events like the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. My approach combines architectural awareness, design sensitivity, and the ability to move seamlessly through active environments to capture both wide establishing imagery and refined detail shots that showcase the full story.
If you are hosting an event at Monterey Plaza Hotel, planning a corporate experience during Pro-Am week, or transforming a venue into something unforgettable, I would welcome the opportunity to photograph it with the professionalism and creative precision it deserves.
The Full Venue Transformation
Monterey Plaza Hotel reimagined for AT&T Pro-Am week
Designed to Make an Immediate Impact
These wide shots showcase the complete transformation of the event space at Monterey Plaza Hotel during AT&T Pro-Am week. From the dramatic sea-inspired octopus installation overhead to the cohesive lighting and custom bar setup, this event design was immersive and bold. Photographing the space at this scale allows planners and venues to see how every element works together to create atmosphere and impact.
Why Wide Coverage Matters for Event Marketing
For event planners, venues, and corporate hosts, wide environmental photographs are essential marketing assets. They show scale, flow, guest experience, and design cohesion in a single frame. Whether promoting future bookings at Monterey Plaza Hotel or showcasing event production during major events like the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, these images provide powerful visual storytelling that drives engagement.
Custom Table Designs in Focus
Highlighting signature pieces at the client’s request
Capturing What the Client Values Most
During the shoot, the team from Illusions of Grandeur specifically asked that their custom tables be highlighted. I immediately shifted focus to create clean, composed images that showcased the craftsmanship and uniqueness of each piece. This ability to respond in real time is critical in event photography — understanding what matters most to the client and delivering it efficiently.
Real-Time Collaboration on Event Day
Professional event photography is not just about showing up and shooting. It is about listening, adjusting, and delivering exactly what your client needs — sometimes in the moment. These images give Illusions of Grandeur dedicated marketing content they can use for proposals, social media, and future AT&T Pro-Am or corporate activations.
Design Details & Immersive Décor
Sea-inspired textures, lighting, and layered storytelling
The Details That Elevate an Event
Close-up photography reveals the craftsmanship and creativity behind a luxury event installation. From textured backdrops and nautical accents to layered lighting and floral arrangements, these detail shots highlight the thoughtfulness that often gets missed in wide frames. For planners and designers, these images become powerful portfolio assets.
Why Detail Photography Drives Engagement
Detail photos perform exceptionally well on websites and social media because they allow viewers to feel the experience. For Monterey event planners and hospitality venues, these images provide content that communicates refinement, creativity, and execution quality — especially during high-visibility events like the AT&T Pro-Am.
Atmosphere & Event Flow
A cohesive look at the space in action-ready form
Telling the Complete Visual Story
These general coverage shots bridge the gap between wide venue images and close-up details. They show how guests would experience the environment — how lighting, tables, décor, and layout interact naturally. This type of coverage is ideal for venues like Monterey Plaza Hotel to demonstrate versatility for corporate, hospitality, and tournament-related events.
Paragraph Title: Event Photography That Serves Multiple Stakeholders
When photographing events at venues like Monterey Plaza Hotel, I think beyond one client. These images can support planners, venue marketing teams, sponsors, and future corporate hosts. Professional event photography creates lasting value long after the AT&T Pro-Am excitement fades.
Monterey Event Photography That Elevates Your Brand
Whether you are an event planner designing an immersive experience, a corporate team hosting clients during AT&T Pro-Am week, or a venue looking to showcase your space at its absolute best, professional event photography is one of the most powerful marketing investments you can make.
As a Pacific Grove and Monterey event photographer, I bring more than just a camera. I bring 17 years of professional experience, an understanding of how to photograph design, atmosphere, and architecture effectively, and the ability to collaborate in real time with planners and venues to ensure the most important elements are captured. From large-scale venue transformations at Monterey Plaza Hotel to detail-driven luxury installations, my goal is always the same: create images that help your brand stand out long after the event ends.
If you are planning an upcoming event in Monterey, Pebble Beach, Carmel, or Pacific Grove — especially during high-profile moments like the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am — I would love to talk with you about how professional photography can elevate your marketing, proposals, and online presence.