Whiskey Bear Unites With Director/Photographer Brian Pineda

Feb. 24, 2026

Whiskey Bear is excited to welcome Brian Pineda to its roster of diverse creatives. An award-winning director and photographer with over 15 years of experience in travel and lifestyle work, Brian is known for rich, narrative-driven visuals that blend authenticity with cinematic storytelling.

Brian’s career encompasses lifestyle and travel work for Conde Nast Traveler, Citizens Bank, L'Oreal, Holiday Inn, and The Travel Channel, via agencies S&P Global, Droga 5, and Ogilvy. Inspired by culture and human connection, Brian's journey into directing started with a spontaneous decision to hit “record” on a travel-based photo shoot. This sparked his path into directing, where teaching himself editing became an instinctive extension of his storytelling and helped shape his distinctive cinematic voice. 

Whiskey Bear Founder and Executive Producer Ben Murphy explained:

“Brian's a thoughtful collaborator and a fantastic storyteller. He has the natural ability to take even the simplest scene and make it emotional for audiences. His foundation in photography informs a directorial style defined by expressive performances, striking composition, and beautifully crafted light. Our goal is to further elevate and champion Brian’s exceptional talent, delivering bold, stand-out campaigns that resonate with clients.”

 

Brian commented:

“I love the work that Whiskey Bear is doing and the way they do everything is next level. They have that great balance of having a new vision for the industry but with depth of experience, which comes through in how they engage with people and what they produce. That’s an essential part of why we came together.”

 

Brian relays:

“When working as a photographer, you often only have a few minutes to really capture the scene or the person’s essence and story. The same can be true in directing – to connect and observe, but also make people feel comfortable in any environment so that everything works in concert. My goal is to root everything in the authentic and convey it with a cinematic aesthetic."

 

His ability to connect and an ever-present curiosity about the world, has translated into a body of commercial work that includes collaborations with leading brands including Ancestry, Celebrity Cruises, The Coca Cola Company, Japan National Tourism, and Bose, among others. His interest in presenting spectacular imagery integrated with portraits of lives lived passionately is deeply felt in his work with noted and celebrity chefs Eric Ripert, Daniel Boulud and Esther Choi. 

Pineda’s approach to everything he does is in true alignment with Whiskey Bear which is known for passionate creatives – from social media-forward creators to multi-talented and holistic directors like Pineda – dedicated to bringing vision and craft to every frame. Whiskey Bear is more than a production company, it’s a family of innovators, dreamers, and doers, all driven by the desire to tell stories that matter.