THE MAKING OF BARRY UNIVERSITY'S INSPIRING PROJECT WITH CANDELA

Mauricio Candela
Apr 22, 2023
2 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

Client: Barry University

Director & Still Photographer: Mauricio Candela

Production Company: The Blur Office

Producer: Michelle Jayme & Douglas Hawryluk

DP: Antal Steinbach

Second Camera: LightYears

Photo Assistant: Focus Junior

Digitech: Alain Alminana, Javier Sanchez

Postproduction: Cerebro

Behind the scenes of an inspiring collaboration

When Barry University set out to refresh its brand with an authentic, student-centered campaign, they partnered with Mauricio Candela and his production team at The Blur Office. Known for his storytelling and documentary-style approach, Candela brought a human and visually rich perspective to this multi-faceted project.

The production spanned four intense days on Barry’s Miami campus, where the team developed:

2 TV commercials
A full photographic library
An institutional video
Additional multimedia assets

The human factor: working with real students

What made this campaign especially meaningful was its focus on real students, not actors. Candela and his crew worked closely with the Barry community to capture unscripted, honest moments — full of emotion, energy, and individuality.

“Working with real people is one of my biggest passions. The key is to allow them to be themselves, not to over-direct. That’s where the magic happens,” said Candela.

He emphasized natural light, candid interactions, and a respectful distance that gave students the space to shine as themselves. The result? A campaign that feels alive, relatable, and uniquely Barry.

Production credits

Client: Barry University
Director & still photographer: Mauricio Candela
Production company: The Blur Office
Producers: Michelle Jayme, Douglas Hawryluk
Director of photography: Antal Steinbach
Second camera: LightYears
Photo assistant: Focus Junior
Digitechs: Alain Alminana, Javier Sanchez
Postproduction: Cerebro

A dynamic student journey on camera

The production was split between:

2 days of video production, capturing sweeping cinematic views of student life, academic moments, and life on campus
2 days of still photography, focused on portraits, lifestyle moments, and detailed visuals that form part of Barry’s new brand library

These pieces were later adapted for web, print, murals, and digital platforms, giving Barry University a fresh and consistent visual voice.

Why this project stands out

Unlike overly scripted university campaigns, this project resonates because it reflects real life. There’s joy, diversity, curiosity — and most importantly, authenticity. With Candela’s signature style blending art with emotional resonance, the final deliverables captured more than a look; they captured a feeling.

“This campaign is a celebration of everything that makes Barry unique — its people, its culture, its campus,” added Candela.

Final thoughts

With this campaign, Barry University embraced a modern, genuine visual identity. Thanks to Mauricio Candela’s direction and the dedication of the entire production team, the campaign became more than just content — it became a portrait of community and purpose.

This project shows what’s possible when creativity, collaboration, and authenticity come together on campus.