15 Years with The Texas Tribune

ART DIRECTION | SOCIAL

A white two-tier birthday cake with black lettering that reads "The Texas Tribune". The cake is decorated with white icing borders, a yellow topper on the top tier, and is surrounded by gold and black celebration decorations, including confetti, party hats, and a large glittery number 15 in the background.

To celebrate 15 years of non-partisan journalism, The Texas Tribune commissioned a photo campaign honoring the people behind the newsroom. This visual storytelling series doubled as part of a larger membership campaign: reconnecting with readers and spotlighting the journalists shaping Texas politics and policy.

DESIGNING THE EXPERIENCE
Mark The Texas Tribune’s 15-year milestone with a photo-driven campaign
that celebrates our newsroom team and reinforces our mission. The visuals
were also designed to align with a larger membership push, helping drive
public engagement and financial support.

WHO WE’RE SPEAKING TO
Current Texas Tribune members and prospective supporters: civic-minded individuals who value quality, nonpartisan journalism.

ART DIRECTION
Alfredo Palacios

PHOTOGRAPHY
Eli Hartman

A birthday celebration with a cake and lit candles, featuring people reaching out towards the cake. The cake has the words 'The Texas Tribune' written on it and is surrounded by yellow confetti, feather decorations, and party hats.

HOW WE DO IT AT THE TRIBUNE

This photo shoot reimagined an office party, Tribune style. By using our newsroom as the backdrop, we captured natural moments and highlighted our collaborative culture.

I leaned into our signature Tribune gold, keeping the visuals monochromatic but texturally rich with mixed materials like paper, tinsel, and feathers.

The result: a casual, tongue-in-cheek shoot celebrating 15 years of journalism with personality.

White birthday cake with whipped cream border and a yellow star-shaped cookie on top, surrounded by yellow and black confetti.
Close-up of a white birthday cake with the words 'The Texas Tribune' written on it, decorated with white frosting and gold candles being placed on top, surrounded by yellow and black confetti.
A person is serving a slice of white cake with the words 'The Texas Tribune' on it at a celebration, with yellow decorations, party hats, and a large gold '15' decoration in the background.
Celebration of 15th anniversary of The Texas Tribune, with a birthday cake decorated with text, party hats, and confetti.
Two people exchanging a slice of cake at a celebration, with a decorated cake on the table that has "The Texas Tribune" written on it.
Celebration of the Texas Tribune's 15th anniversary with a birthday cake decorated with candles surrounded by confetti and people clapping.
Person serving a slice of vanilla cake onto a yellow plate at a celebration with a yellow feather decoration and a larger white cake in the background.
A smartphone screen displaying a celebration message for The Texas Tribune's 15th anniversary with a photograph of a decorated cake.
People celebrating a 15th birthday party with a white cake that has black writing "The Texas Tribune" and a yellow emblem, surrounded by yellow feather decorations, with golden number 15 on the table.