Beyond the Sandwich: The Which Wich Celebrity Experience

We all know that Disney’s Magical Kingdom is officially touted as “ The Most Magical Place on Earth.” Well, in this Dallas corporate portrait photographers opinion, Which Wich Superior Sandwiches might just give them a run for their money. 

Yes, I said Which Wich. That sandwich concept where you can go and fully customize your sandwich by checking off a list via red Sharpie on your sandwich bag, then watch it get made and go chow down on your pimped out sandwich. Surf and turf with some of that olive spread for this Dallas photographer please! I’m sure though, even if you have enjoyed going and eating their sandwiches, you probably have never been rendered speechless by the entire experience at one of their stores. Or maybe you have, and I just haven’t been enough. In either case, my experience at their headquarters was completely unlike anything I’ve ever seen, and literally left me in shock.

I was commissioned to do a Dallas editorial photography spread on the company for a magazine earlier this year, and was given notes to capture everything from the corporate culture to the CEO to a peanut butter and jelly party. Getting excited yet?

I still remember how freezing cold it was that day. I almost lost my Dallas corporate photographer hands; it was like a scene out of Oregon Trail. Well, it was cold and windy at least, but my assistant didn’t get dysentery, so maybe it wasn’t quite that bad. Honestly, right now given the temperatures outside, I don’t even know how to process that it was once cold at all in Texas, but I’ll try.

We unloaded all of the gear on Main Street in front of their headquarters, and then met their VP of Corporate Communications to take a ride up on the elevator. I had been warned about what to expect regarding the greeting, but it was one of those things you had to see to believe. As we neared their floor, you could hear music pulsing through the doors of the elevator, it sounded like we are about to spring upon an impromptu dance party. We basically did.

Upon emerging from the elevator, we were greeted by an entire room of smiling, clapping and cheering Which Wich employees, who had gathered in a large semi-circle around the elevator we were exiting. I now know what it feels like to be a rock star. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been greeted warmly before in my work as a commercial photographer in Dallas, but never have I felt like a celebrity making an appearance. That was awesome. I went around and gave everyone high fives, and then my assistant and I stood in the center while they introduced themselves.

It’s funny, I am usually working behind the scenes in the work that I do, whether it’s corporate, commercial or event photography. Today I was put front and center, and I am not used to that. It was a bit overwhelming but a huge rush at the same time, kind of like a roller coaster. Then to top it off, they fired off the confetti cannons and we were completely covered in yellow and black confetti.

You can see why this was magical. Be honest with me: I want you to count the number of times you have walked into any place of business and been greeted by cheering staff then had confetti fired off over top of you. I can think of two: the winners of a Super Bowl and when you come over to Which Wich. And to think, we hadn’t even started to set for the shoot!