Retro Vibes & Grassroots Bourbon Sodas: A Branding Session with Ponyboy Slings
It was a scorcher of a day in early August when I met up with Ponyboy Slings to feature their super tasty selection of bourbon sodas. I mean, it’s Kentucky, right? I “should” like bourbon. But- I do NOT. I’ve tried every variation, and it just doesn’t hit home for me. I feel like I’m not an authentic Kentuckian! When I met Janell and Mike Bass of Ponyboy Slings, I wasn’t expecting to like their soda. Wowza, I was so wrong! Janell told me it’s for people that like bourbon and also for people that don’t like bourbon, and I can’t think of a better description.
Ponyboy Slings: where retro vibes and modern taste collide
Meet Ponyboy Slings: Bourbon Soda with a Retro Twist
Ponyboy brings to life the best of worlds…those that like a bit of bourbon yet those folks (like me) that don’t love bourbon or even know the difference between bourbon and whisky but know they can both burn like hell. I’ve always thought of it a bit like swallowing acid. Ponyboy introduced me to their three unique blends: bourbon cream soda, bourbon cherry crush, and the bourbon strawberry spritz.
My personal favorite is the bourbon cream soda- it’s slightly sweet but very sexy and very yummy. They go down easy and aren’t like anything I can replicate at home.
Grateful is an understatement. When I talked with Janell about doing a branding shoot for Ponyboy, I was tingling with excitement. How cool. A branding session for a Kentucky grown company with the COOLEST owners? Say less!
From Vans to Canoes: Telling the Brand Story Through Photography
As I learned more about Ponyboy, I discovered they have an old soul esthetic. Their flagship van is from the 70’s, their colors- reminiscent of my childhood. Didn’t everyone have the velour brown and orange sofa? This was right up my alley, and I knew it was a match made in heaven.
The van was such an epic centerpiece. How much cooler can you be than a van with shag carpet, dotted with vintage playboy magazines, and a bar table in the back? Total vibe.
Progress Park: From Branding Shoots to Weddings
The meeting of Ponyboy and Progress Park was perfect, as it emphasized the theme of both businesses- playful, adventurous, yet home-grown. These brands are in our backyard so to speak, and we shouldn’t sleep on either one of them. We have a couple of gems here!
Never been to Progress Park? Neither had I, and dang, I’ve missed out! I had no idea this gem was literally in our backyard. Close to GE, off of Newburg Road in Louisville, KY, this 12-acre wonderland seems other worldly. Literally, I felt like I had left Louisville yet was in the heart of it all. Close to shopping and distilleries, this is a one stop place for a fun getaway.
Y’all, this place was nothing short of magical. Imagine a place that looks like a forest, dotted by Airstream RV’s that have been completely modernized and have a luxury feel.
Imagine looking out of your RV to a large pond, complete with fountain and canoes for your use. A small sandy beach calling out to you, love bench swings beside of the RV, an event space perfect for weddings and reunions…it was perfect.
Next, we moved onto the kiddie pool, which was provided by Ponyboy, but totally emphasizes the playfulness of both Ponyboy AND Progress Park. It was the ultimate conglomeration of fun, intimacy, and camaraderie.
There are not too many places in this city that one could feel so at ease while camping and having some fun with your friends in a quaint setting. Both Ponyboy and Progress Park emphasize the playful nature of hanging out with the ones you love the most.
Did I mention the pond? Maybe it’s a lake? I’ve never been top of the geographical scale in Jeopardy so I’m not sure of the difference. Anyhow, this is larger than your typical pond as it allows for canoeing, which Progress Park has on hand…as well as the life jackets for those of us that are not Olympic swimmers.
The models were more than happy to get in the water and play because it was so dang hot and that made for some epic images.
Pond? Lake? Ultimately cool body of water, complete with canoes
Next, we moved onto the kiddie pool, which was provided by Ponyboy, but totally emphasizes the playfulness of both Ponyboy AND Progress Park. It was the ultimate conglomeration of fun, intimacy, and camaraderie.
There are not too many places in this city that one could feel so at ease while camping and having some fun with your friends in a quaint setting. Both Ponyboy and Progress Park emphasize the playful nature of hanging out with the ones you love the most.
Did I mention the pond? Maybe it’s a lake? I’ve never been top of the geographical scale in Jeopardy so I’m not sure of the difference. Anyhow, this is larger than your typical pond as it allows for canoeing, which Progress Park has on hand…as well as the life jackets for those of us that are not Olympic swimmers.
The models were more than happy to get in the water and play because it was so dang hot and that made for some epic images.
Just look at these happy faces!
Plus, Progress Park has an amazing event center, perfect for wedding festivities. In fact, Louisville Wedding Network is having a wedding show there September 7th, 2025, because it’s not only a lovely event space, but the perfect place for a wedding venue (with both indoor and outdoor options), family reunions, business retreats and private events, as well as space to sleep up to 65 guests.
Bringing Brands to Life with Accent Models
Finally, Janell told me we would be working with Accent Models, and I knew I was in for a treat. Yet another grassroots business, Accent provided some serious talent to showcase the product as well as the park.
These ladies were so professional and did an outstanding job of embodying the esthetic of both businesses. It was literally a photographer’s dream situation. I learned they have been in business for over 20 years, providing models for everything from branding and commercial shoots, music videos, as well as event and hospitality modeling.
Accent Models showed up in a big way!
Branding sessions for businesses are more than just a product; that product must be well represented in location, theme, and people. Accent Models exceeded my expectations. I must give special kudos to Noelle for her wardrobe styling. It was all around a well-collaborated effort and I’m glad I was invited to capture it.
I’m still on cloud nine about capturing this session and invite you guys to check out Ponyboy, Progress Park, Accent Models, and Noelle. Have a delicious beverage, book your glamping trip, and hire a professional team to represent your business.
Accent Models had a blast playing in front of one of the many Airstreams
Interested in your own branding session? You can connect with me at Lipstick & Lace Photography or at Bluegrass Branding (my newest business), which focuses squarely on headshot and branding photography.
To reach out to Ponyboy Slings, check out their website and also give them a follow on their instagram page.
To reach out to Progress Park for your next event or wedding, check out their website here and be sure to give them a follow on instagram as well as their Facebook page.
To reach out to Accent Models for your next event, shoot them a message over on their instagram DMs.
