Lauren Breedlove may believe she has the best summer job. She earned a “Sunternship” with the Days Inn hotel chain. It is her job to jet set to some of the sunniest cities in the nation, explore, take photos and learn a few things about the destinations to share. On her list was Flagstaff, where she visited last month. Breedlove did some sightseeing, went horseback riding and ate what she claims is one of the best burgers ever, from Diablo Burger.
“It’s in the top three,” she reported.
Days Inn, the hotel brand most recognized by its sun-drenched logo, kicked off its first Sunternship contest on Aug. 1. Described as a “dream job,” the hotel asked applicants to send photos of themselves and a short story about why they should be chosen to visit some of America’s sunniest cities and get paid $10,000.
Breedlove, 35, of New York, was the winner. She saw the ad on social media asking for applications to chase the sun for the summer.
“Who wouldn’t want to do that that? I was a perfect fit. It was like my spirit animal was calling out, ‘Here I am!’” she said. “I was born to do it.”
Breedlove applied in May. She and about 12,500 other applicants were asked to submit some outdoor photos they had taken and write 100 words about themselves.
“Her application screamed adventure,” said Mattie Tietz, a spokesperson for Days Inn.
Breedlove, who makes her living as a freelance writer and photographer, decided this would be a perfect summer job. Plus, she would be visiting places she had never been before.
“I love it out West and this would provide the opportunity to explore it,” she said.
Flagstaff was different from anywhere she had ever been in Arizona. “I spent three days taking photos. I did all the touristy things.”
Breedlove also soaked up the ambience in local restaurants.
She and her camera visited five locations: Flagstaff, San Antonio, San Diego, Bonita Springs, Florida, and Carbondale, Colorado.
“The sun is already shining on Days Inn hotels, thanks to new sun-inspired art blanketing hotel lobbies and guest room walls,” said Tietz. “Lauren will help Days Inn collect even more warm and vibrant artwork to give guests a fresh burst of energy when they walk through the doors.”
Breedlove’s work will be featured in select Days Inn hotels and on Days Inn’s website and social channels. FBN
By Patty McCormac, FBN
Photo caption:
Photographer Lauren Breedlove, of New York, chased the sun to Flagstaff. Her images will show up in Days Inn hotels as part of the company’s summer sunternship contest.
Courtesy photo
