Creative entrepreneurs have such a visual business. For a window treatment specialist – like Jennifer Holaday, owner of Brave Maggie Designs – we we able to take her visuals to a whole new level!

Jennifer found me on Google, and was looking for a branding photographer she could be herself with who could help her update her website photos. For this new iteration of her brand, it was important that her rebrand feel more personable and authentic to her.

 

Guidance for planning the brand photoshoot

It was clear from our first conversation that Jennifer has such a down-to-earth, fun personality, I knew we had to bring that out so her audience could feel it online too.

She had recently hired a social media planner to handle her Facebook and Instagram accounts, and we had some direction to go for bringing her website together from her website designer. Although it’s not necessary to create the best photos for your brand, it’s always nice working with business owners who hire these specialists. That way, we are creating intentional pictures they are sure to use in the right places online.

Common requests I will get from website designers helping to rebrand are things like:

“We need this type of photo with negative space for her banner shot on the Home page”

“She needs this horizontal photo with these types of colors for her About page”.

“We’re going for a ‘creative’ vibe that is monochromatic and minimal.”

My job then becomes Creative Director to bring together visual stories of what they do and how it feels to work with them, all while keeping in mind they’re specific website use. Because Jennifer purchased my Boss Branding Session and had the whole day with me, that was a good amount of time to capture what she needed for her marketing.

I always have follow up questions to clarify requests and words they use to describe something in their business. This is super important in the process because different words mean different things to everyone! Your version of “professional” or “creative” will most likely be completely different than someone else.

I really wanted to showcase her level of professionalism and its high end nature. She’s not only been successful with her clients, Jennifer has even been featured in Window Fashion Vision and Bellevue City Lifestyle Magazines, as well as Sew Much More Podcast and a Today in Nashville episode on tv. She’s even recently won 1st place in the Ingenious Installation category in the International Window Coverings Expo.

 

Planning the Brand Photoshoot

After filling out a questionnaire, we connected on a planning call and discovered Jennifer founded Brave Maggie Designs as a tribute to her grandmother, Margaret White. Her work is very personal and custom, guiding her clients through every step in the process, so we made sure to get some personable photos of her working with a “client” and even include pictures of her grandmother in the background of her desk.

I know she needs stock photos for her website so I took advantage of some time before her photoshoot while she was in the makeup chair as well as throughout the day. Personal stock photos are so useful for showing your tools, featuring your colors, and are so much better than any stock photos you will get online.

Some more specific brand voice notes I got from Jennifer’s web designer really got my creative juices flowing for her storytelling elements:

Authentic: she loves when her clients feel like they’re talking to a trusted friend.

Approachable: she is described as a “cheerleader”, someone who loves being a part of the action but doesn’t need to be the center of attention. She’s welcoming and friendly.

Professional: Jennifer is a seasoned professional who wants to convey her expertise.

Style: She’s got a modern, Bohemian flair.

Other helpful notes I got about her website, were a list of the website pages and the titles they were using.

 

The Photoshoot Day

It was a beautiful Fall day in downtown Franklin, where her business resides on Main Street. We featured some local favorites during her photoshoot to tie her into a local the local community, to include The Franklin Theater.

I hired a local Nashville Hair and Makeup artist to meet her at her location to make sure she looked natural but camera ready. Then we captured tons of gorgeous photos the entire day both outside, in her shop, and in 2 home rental locations I found!

See how it all came together and enjoy some highlights of Jennifer’s Franklin, Tennessee Photoshoot!

-M

 

If you are curious about working together in Nashville, San Antonio, Austin, Tampa, or Denver, contact me so we can chat soon! https://melissaraelynnphotography.com/contact