At Marilee.co, I believe in working with brands that not only align with our values but also offer products that feel genuine and useful in everyday life. So when the opportunity was presented to partner with Florsheim Shoes, a company with over a century of history, I was beyond excited.

Florsheim, founded in 1892 in Chicago, has been synonymous with classic styling and exceptional craftsmanship. This is a good fit for what I love to photograph.

We decided to keep this project close to home. Our focus was on elementary-aged children—my son Noah and my nephew Lewis—who could truly have a blast in shoes that look as good as they feel.

And when it came to the perfect setting for this fun shoot, Denver’s Union Station was the clear choice. With its timeless charm, Union Station is a place that brings together people of all ages for everything from dining to relaxing to catching a train, making it the ideal backdrop for our young models in their Florsheim boots.

After the project wrapped up, my nephew did something that warmed my heart. He went into the closet, pulled out the shoebox with the Florsheim boots he had modeled, and brought it to his grandfather. It was his very first real modeling gig, and he was eager to share this milestone.

When Grandpa saw the box, his face lit up. He immediately recognized the brand, saying, "Wow, I wore Florsheim shoes growing up, too." I couldn’t help but smile as Lewis and his grandpa opened the box. There was my nephew, proudly showing off the boots, while Grandpa nodded in approval, taking a moment to admire the craftsmanship. "These are good shoes. Good job," he said with a pat on my nephew’s back.

As a photographer, discovering Florsheim was like finding a hidden gem, a brand I didn’t know I would come to truly appreciate until I saw the joy it brought to our family. It's these quiet, meaningful moments that make a partnership worth it.