Meet Chukar’s Photography Team

25 Years of Work, Community, Friendship

By Pam Montgomery

Chukar’s catalog photoshoot is a momentous event that takes place annually over seven days during late May or early June in my home. My great room is hijacked for several weeks to prep for the shoot. The shot list is determined, backgrounds and props are staged, packaging and products are prepped, and gifts are built. Lunch ingredients for the team of six are bought ahead because we cook a fresh lunch each day of the shoot in the home kitchen. Teresa, Esther, and I are on site in Prosser, Wynne flies in from Anchorage, and Robert drives over from Seattle.

The annual photoshoot communicates new offerings and Washington cherry gifts to our customers. The entire Chukar team – from Production, to Customer Service, to Shipping – puts a tremendous amount of effort into quality products, made fresh, shipped fresh, and handled with care. The purpose of the photoshoot is to communicate that the beauty and quality of our gifts to customers.

Robert, Photographer: Robert has decades of experience shooting product and food images for leading companies. He’s been our photographer of choice since we first worked with him seventeen years ago. More than a photographer, Robert is a collaborator, stylist, and master of lighting. A music aficionado, Robert’s voluminous playlists form the backdrop of Chukar’s energizing and productive photography sessions. 

Me, Pam, Chief Creative: Often referred to as Ma Chukar, I founded Chukar Cherries in the late 80s on our family orchard and I continue to lead the visionary and creative aspects of the company. Although it's a great deal of work, I enjoy the catalog creative process and the synergy that happens when the team comes together.

Wynne, Marketing Director: Wynne is Chukar’s new marketing director as well as a technical and creative force. The daughter of Ma Chukar, Wynne is aligning messaging across company sales channels. This summer was her first catalog photoshoot and she brought a fresh vision to the process and an improved method of organization.

Esther, Stylist: Known for her sense of humor and keen eye, Esther has been Chukar’s gift stylist since the beginning. A long-time retail manager at Chukar Cherries in Prosser, Esther has years of experience in merchandising Chukar retail in Prosser, trade shows, and her own retail stores.

Teresa, Production Manager: Teresa anticipates each step and will do whatever it takes to achieve the desired outcome. She manages the studio, creates the photo-ready packaging, and oversees the product and material requirements. With Teresa at the helm, everything is ‘at the ready’ when needed. Chukar is hailing Teresa’s nineteen years as Chukar’s Customer Service & Sales Manager.

No trip down memory lane would be complete without a visual history! As many of you may know, Chukar Cherries has been offering cherry gifts since 1988. Many of our core products - chocolate covered cherries and dried sweet cherries - remain the same in quality and ingredient list. However, our packaging has been through many iterations throughout the years.

Click on each product below to be taken to its modern day equivalent!