Bench signage of the 'Feeding Hope in Altadena' campaign for Burgers for Life.
Bench signage of the 'Feeding Hope in Altadena' campaign for Burgers for Life.

Details

Details

Details

Burgers for Life: Feeding Hope in Altadena

I developed and directed a campaign for Burgers for Life, a Black-owned burger brand founded by Ramon Douglas. When wildfires tore through Altadena, Douglas — who lost his own home — set up free community pop-ups in the burn zone to feed his neighbors. 'Feeding Hope in Altadena' highlighted Douglas' story, his work, and his ties to Altadena. I created photography, messaging and visual assets that framed smash burgers as symbols of community care. Through portraits, event documentation and campaign deliverables across social and out-of-home, Burgers for Life became not just a food brand but a rallying point for community strength.

Services

Photography

Campaign Development

Creative Direction

Brand Storytelling

Year

2025

Client

Burgers For Life

Burgers for Life campaign artwork featuring a close up of Ramon seasoning smash burgers on the grill with the copy "Feeding hope one smash burger at a time. Proudly serving Altadena since 2021."
Burgers for Life campaign artwork featuring a close up of Ramon seasoning smash burgers on the grill with the copy "Feeding hope one smash burger at a time. Proudly serving Altadena since 2021."
Wheat paste posters in LA featuring photos of Ramon and a close up of a smash burger.
Wheat paste posters in LA featuring photos of Ramon and a close up of a smash burger.
Bench signage of the 'Feeding Hope in Altadena' campaign for Burgers for Life.
Bench signage of the 'Feeding Hope in Altadena' campaign for Burgers for Life.

“Melissa’s work created a campaign that showed who we are and why this matters in Altadena. The photos gave us a face, and the campaign gave us a voice.”

Testimonial

Testimonial

Testimonial

— Ramon Douglas, Chef & Founder, Burgers For Life

Burgers for Life campaign artwork featuring Ramon standing in rubble in Altadena, wearing an apron, with the copy: "When everything burns down, we fire up the grill. Proudly serving Altadena since 2021.
Burgers for Life campaign artwork featuring Ramon standing in rubble in Altadena, wearing an apron, with the copy: "When everything burns down, we fire up the grill. Proudly serving Altadena since 2021.
Man holding an iPhone showing an Instagram post of the Burgers for Life campaign artwork featuring Ramon standing in rubble in Altadena, wearing an apron, with the copy: "When everything burns down, we fire up the grill. Proudly serving Altadena since 2021.
Man holding an iPhone showing an Instagram post of the Burgers for Life campaign artwork featuring Ramon standing in rubble in Altadena, wearing an apron, with the copy: "When everything burns down, we fire up the grill. Proudly serving Altadena since 2021.
A row of four wheat paste posters in LA featuring the 'Feeding Hope in Altadena' campaign work.
A row of four wheat paste posters in LA featuring the 'Feeding Hope in Altadena' campaign work.
Close up of a man holding an iPhone featuring an Instagram Reel shot as part of the campaign.
Close up of a man holding an iPhone featuring an Instagram Reel shot as part of the campaign.
Burgers for Life campaign artwork featuring three patrons eating at a table during a free popup event in Altadena with the copy "More than burgers. This is how communities rebuild. Proudly serving Altadena since 2021."
Burgers for Life campaign artwork featuring three patrons eating at a table during a free popup event in Altadena with the copy "More than burgers. This is how communities rebuild. Proudly serving Altadena since 2021."
Burgers for Life campaign artwork featuring a close up of Ramon and the copy "When fire took his house, he fed the neighborhood. Proudly serving Altadena since 2021."
Burgers for Life campaign artwork featuring a close up of Ramon and the copy "When fire took his house, he fed the neighborhood. Proudly serving Altadena since 2021."
Burgers for Life campaign artwork featuring a close up shot of Ramon using a tool to smash a burger on the grill with the copy: Every smash tells a story. Proudly serving Altadena since 2021."
Burgers for Life campaign artwork featuring a close up shot of Ramon using a tool to smash a burger on the grill with the copy: Every smash tells a story. Proudly serving Altadena since 2021."
Burgers for Life campaign artwork featuring a close up of a smash burger with the copy "Smashed, shared, remembered. Proudly serving Altadena since 2021."
Burgers for Life campaign artwork featuring a close up of a smash burger with the copy "Smashed, shared, remembered. Proudly serving Altadena since 2021."