Kawaii Blankets
The Blanket That Hugs You Back
Some shoots call for dramatic landscapes or perfectly lit studios. This one called for a Portland bungalow, a bowl of popcorn, and two models who were genuinely great at pretending to nap. Honestly, one of my favorites.
Kawaii Blankets makes hand-woven, weighted chunky knit blankets designed for the day dreamers, the self-care enthusiasts, the power cuddlers — their words, and I couldn't agree more. The open-knit design is both visually striking and functional, giving the blankets a breathable weight that wraps around you like a hug. In cream, white, and that irresistible bubblegum pink, they're also just really fun to photograph.
The goal of the shoot was lifestyle-forward — less "product on a surface," more "this is your life and it's very cozy." We staged a few different scenarios throughout the day, starting in the living room with the two models wrapped up on the couch, popcorn in hand, completely absorbed in whatever was on TV. That kind of relaxed, genuine energy is what makes lifestyle photography work. You can't fake it, so you create the conditions and let it happen.
From there, we moved into the bedroom for a quieter, more intimate set — models curled up and reading, lying close together, that soft late-morning light doing most of the heavy lifting. The chunky knit texture catches light beautifully, and the scale of the weave means you can get in close and let the blanket itself become the visual story. We also grabbed some individual portraits — wrapped up by a window with a coffee cup, peeking over the edge of the blanket with a full yellow wall behind — that balance the cozier lifestyle frames with something a little more editorial.
We wrapped the day outside as the golden hour light came through the trees. There's something about two people laughing and bundled together in a park that just works — it's the whole brand promise in a single frame.
If you make something tactile, physical, and genuinely feel-good, lifestyle photography is one of the best investments you can make. The product sells itself once people can imagine themselves in it. My job is to create those images.
If you're a product brand looking for a photographer who knows how to make people stop scrolling, let's talk.
Leah Flores is a Portland-based commercial photographer with nearly 20 years of experience working with brands including Nike, National Geographic, and VICE News. She specializes in adventure, outdoor, and lifestyle brand photography across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
