Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has partnered with NAMARA represents (NAMARA), a creative visual storytelling agency, to capture the stories of those who deliver luxury service in iconic hotels around the globe. NAMARA's seven world-class photojournalists visited nine Fairmont hotels from San Francisco to Shanghai to shadow Fairmont colleagues and get a glimpse of what happens behind-the-scenes.

"We know that our colleagues around the world are exceptional people who are truly dedicated to delivering amazing guest experiences," said Jane Mackie, vice president, Fairmont Brand. "Working with NAMARA has given us an opportunity to capture some of their incredible stories and showcase them in a way that is authentic and meaningful. It is inspiring to see so much colleague passion come to life through a journalistic lens."

NAMARA photojournalists who worked on the project contribute to leading publications such as TIME, The New Yorker, The Telegraph, The Wall St Journal and National Geographic Magazine. They include Dominic Nahr, Aaron Vincent Elkaim, Kitra Cahana, Brett Gundlock, Ed Ou, Ian Willms and Kiana Hayeri.

"It was great to work on such a large-scale project with Fairmont. My subjects were very proud to be involved and very proud to be part of the Fairmont team," said Dominic Nahr, one of the award-winning photojournalists involved in the project. "This approach to creating content not only gives companies a unique viewpoint from which to tell their stories, but it also helps to fund the artistry that each of us does on a personal level."

Fairmont's recent Luxury Insights Report found that guests have a genuine connection to colleagues and often describe them as an important part of their overall travel experience. Furthermore, the long-lasting impressions made by Fairmont colleagues are cited as a significant reason why guests enjoyed their stay and a major incentive to return.

The photojournalism project represents the first time in Fairmont's over 100 year history where guests can gain a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the lives and experience of the colleagues who deliver Fairmont's iconic luxury service experience.

"We are so thrilled to be one of the first brands to explore the commercial application of documentary photography," said Alexandra Blum, vice president public relations and partnerships, FRHI Hotels & Resorts. "This is a leading edge approach to content creation that pushes the boundaries of storytelling in ways that we couldn't have imagined when we first partnered with NAMARA. We are so proud to showcase our colleagues is such an innovative way."

Guests and fans of the Fairmont brand can view a selection of the stories and photos during the CONTACT Photography Festival from May 5 to 20 at the Murray Building, 192 Spadina Ave, in Toronto. The exhibit was independently curated by NAMARA and the seven photojournalists who were part of the project. Following the exhibit Fairmont will share a digital ideation of the exhibit on fairmontmoments.com, where people can share and interact with the visual exhibition.

For more information visit: http://scotiabankcontactphoto.com/2016/featured-exhibition/murray-building-the-shift.

About Fairmont

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts connects guests to the very best of its destinations, providing travelers with memorable travel experiences, thoughtful and attentive service and luxury hotels that are truly unforgettable. Each Fairmont property reflects the locale's energy, culture and history through locally inspired cuisine, spirited bars and lounges and distinctive design and decor. With more than 70 hotels globally, and many more in development, the Fairmont collection boasts some of the most iconic hotels in the world, including The Plaza in New York, The Savoy in London, Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai and Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Québec City. Fairmont is owned by FRHI Hotels & Resorts, a leading global hotel company that operates more than 130 hotels and branded residential properties under the Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel brands. 

About NAMARA

NAMARA is not just another creative agency. We focus on the representation of exceptional Canadian photojournalists and documentary photographers working in a commercial capacity. Our photographers create awe-inspiring visual content that eloquently and simply communicate your brand's core message. Each photographer has his or her own impressive collection of tear-sheets, emblazoned with the mastheads of the world's most prestigious publications. They know how to make images that resonate and compel and exercise this unique skill in the composition of your story. We help organizations do it in the only universal language: Images.