A Real Couple

And why that matters to our clients

Ever since I let my hair grow out and let my silver shine, Jack and I have been able to book fantastic photo shoots as a real married couple. There have been photoshoots in Costa Rica for the Peninsula Papagayo, which were shot on the grounds of the Andaz and the Four Seasons.

Jack and Linda Sandner at a beach dinner for Peninsula Papagayo. Photo credit: Oliver Pilcher

We also traveled to Hawaii to shoot at the Four Seasons Hualalai. On these excursions, we were paired with set families and acted in the roles of Grandparents.

Jack and Linda Sandner, roasting marshmallows at the Four Seasons Hualalai. Photo Credit: Oliver Pilcher

We joke that we have fake children and grandchildren around the world, and we’ve even had repeat shoots, using the same fake family setups because our family chemistry was so believable. Between couples, however, it isn’t always easy to get that chemistry. We’ve been on shoots where our on-set adult children had little chemistry, especially because the client had hired the mom and her real kids or the dad and his real kids for the shoot. I can imagine that it’s confusing for kids to be on set with their real parent cuddling up to a stranger. Since we have Jack's six grandchildren, we are experienced in working with kids and helping to make the environment safe and fun.

There are many reasons why clients have chosen to photograph us as a real couple, although we occasionally are paired up with other “spouses” and “families.”  Aside from saving on having to book us only one hotel room and one car, there are advantages in that we look and act more naturally with each other. This creates intimacy and helps to ground the experience we are trying to portray. We recently completed a series of commercials for TruTrade, and the dialogue as spouses rings true.  The emotion we carry and share improves engagement and converts audiences of the brands.

We’ve used real milestones in our lives, such as weddings, proms, and losing a spouse, in several commercials for Olive Avenue Jewelry and financial companies like Fullerton Financial. In a crowded market, where the stories can be formulaic, it’s nice to have an injection of realness into scenes and stills.

Jack and Linda Sandner for Fullerton Financial. Photo and Film credit: Christian Ely

There’s also the audience alignment and relatability that comes from reflecting the target audience’s demographics. We use and buy the products; we look and act like you; maybe you should try this product too.  There have been occasions when we’ve walked away from a shoot so bought into a product that we purchased it for ourselves. That’s what happened to us with Filterlift-it’s a great product for Seniors! No more getting on ladders to change your air filter every month. With Filterlift, we’ve even gone on to create UGC style posts, testimonials, and behind-the-scenes content so our believability as real customers increases even more. As a client, continuing that relationship is great for brand consistency.

Interested in hiring an experienced, classic couple for your brand? Please contact Katie@theAgencyAZ.com for information on rates and availability.