Joel Found X Heavens Portfolio
Before we begin, let me share more about Joel Found and Heavens Portfolio.
“Joel Found is a luxury travel platform and advisory service that seeks to elevate the comprehensive experience of travel for enlightened travellers. We conceive and develop highly curated, immersive small group itineraries, exclusive offers and finally tuned bespoke private journeys. We aim to inspire your next trip with dynamic and immersive programs, and we aggregate travel ideas in atypical ways; fields-of-interest, passion points, brands and ultimate travel calendars.” https://www.joelfound.com/about-us/
“Heavens Portfolio is an Asia-based agency that works with the world’s most luxurious and alluring travel brands and experiences. Our client portfolio comprises of a curated collection of unique, exclusive, and truly unforgettable travel providers from around the globe, ranging from luxury hotels to wellness resorts and boutique retreats, and also Destination Management Companies (DMCs) and tourism boards. With a team of 88 experts having a pulse on the market, Heavens Portfolio takes luxury representation to the highest level with tailored solutions for luxury travel brands.” https://heavensportfolio.com/home
Ok, so here’s how it all happened.
Through a client, I was recommended to her friend, who also became my client. Then she recommended me to Heaven’s Portfolio, who then recommended me to Joel. I know, try saying that super fast 10 times — it’s still confusing.
I had the pleasure of working with the amazing duo, Laura Hackett and Chrissie Lincoln from Heaven’s Portfolio, who guided me through the day with laughter and oxygen. This was my first time being around entrepreneurs, hoteliers, and travel leaders coming together for this luxurious, close-knitted dinner event.
But every event has its good and bad, at least from my point of view.
Sometimes, it’s the subjects. Most of the time, it’s the place itself.
Subjects? They don’t really mingle around or laugh much — straight into their phones.
Places? It gets super dark sometimes.
And speak of the devil, I got the super-dark perk that day.
To be fair, the dark and warm atmosphere was beautiful. Perfect for events like these. So did I panic?
Yes.
Once the actual dinner started, the only light source I had came from these tiny mushroom-like table lamps. Pretty cute, right?
Wrong. Absolute nightmare.
The lighting was harsh and super orangey. Bad combination.
Nevertheless, I had my flash with me, which solved about 50% of the problem. But what about videos?
That’s where pushing the limits of my camera came in handy. At the time, I was using an old beat-up Sony A7III, which I’ve recently retired. In dark situations like this, when it comes to video, I usually shoot the place as it is — dark, gloomy, mushroomy — then bring up the shadows during post-editing. It creates this lifted, almost cinematic-looking feel, which solved the other half of the problem.
Anyway, long story short, it was genuinely a joy being there with the group.
Watching how things unfolded, seeing everyone slowly open up, clashing glasses with one another, showing off super cool travel and hotel videos, exchanging name cards, and watching presentations by Heaven’s Portfolio — man, it was super cool.
As someone who loves luxury hotels, I give this event three thumbs up.
Thanks for reading!
Find out more about Joel Found and Heavens Portfolio
Joel Found website
Joel Found Instagram
Heavens Portfolio website
Heavens Portfolio Instagram