Restaurant Photography at SEA Airport’s New C Concourse

When Wilcox Construction reached out to document the newly completed C Concourse expansion at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, I knew this would be one of the most significant shoots of my career so far. A project of this scale that nearly tripled the existing concourse footprint and timed specifically for the 2026 FIFA World Cup doesn't come along every day.

Nanny’s Northwest BBQ | C Concourse, SEA International Airport

The Spaces

Each of the three tenant spaces I photographed had a completely different character, which made this shoot both challenging and genuinely fun.

Nanny's Northwest BBQ Joint (designed by Mancini Duffy) was the most visually dramatic space of the day. The curved bar back, wood slat ceiling, warm amber lighting, tiled walls, and green metal chairs created an atmosphere that feels simultaneously rustic and contemporary. The restaurant also offers a direct view of the gates, where you can watch planes taxi in and out as you enjoy your meal. Getting the right balance between the warm interior and the cool bright morning light coming through those windows was one of the more technically demanding shots of the day, and one of my favorites in the final set.

Chili's at the C Concourse is a notably different experience from a typical Chili's; the space is designed to fit into the premium airport context while keeping the brand's energy and personality. The curved concourse glass railings, abstract wood paneling, a brick feature wall, and the globe host stand detail all gave me strong individual shots that showcased the attention to detail and craftsmanship that Wilcox Construction put into this space, along with the other two.

Bite Society was the most visually striking storefront of the three. The deep indigo painted wall and the colorful merchandise created a punchy retail environment that is genuinely photogenic from multiple angles. The wide establishing shot showing the full storefront reflected in the terrazzo floor below is one of the images I'm most proud of from this project.

Bite Society | C Concourse, SEA International Airport

The Challenges

Shooting in an active airport environment presents logistical challenges that you don't encounter on a standard commercial shoot. Thankfully, Wilcox handled all the access coordination, security protocols, and who knows how many strings were pulled. When I got the email saying, “we only have from 5am-7am to shoot all three spaces…” I knew it’d be go time the second I stepped into the concourse. I mean, the ribbon cutting was in 48 hours, and you think the dozens of contractors, owners, restaurant staff, and other airport personnel were going to stop everything so some guy with a camera could take some photos?

Wilcox graciously sent me some on-site photos of the spaces from the week before, so I had a general idea of what I wanted to capture, but taking a photo and then walking around the space looking for my next angle was out of the question. Instead, while I was setting up and taking one photo, I was looking around and already planning my next two or three shots.

I had to be able to photograph the space that was simultaneously being prepared for its public opening as workers strolled through my shots and master the timing of my shutter to go off in between strobes as the fire alarms were being tested.

But that’s the nature of the beast when it comes to photography; there is never going to be a “perfect shoot” where you have all the time in the world. There is always going to be light you are chasing, furniture that needs to be moved, or any number of other things that come along, and I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way.

Chili’s | C Concourse, SEA International Airport

Working in the Pacific Northwest

This project was a milestone for me personally, as this was my first major commercial photography project in the Pacific Northwest market since relocating from Texas. The Pacific Northwest has an extraordinary world of architecture to tap into, and to begin with this project was truly an honor.

To view the full gallery from this project, click here.