How to Design Intentional Branding for your Photography Business
Strong branding is key for setting yourself apart and sharing your unique story. In this blog post, discover the key to thoughtful branding for your photography business, and learn more about Han Kat Studio’s branding process and resources to support you in creating an exceptional, eye-catching brand! Then, take action in establishing your brand with clear next steps.
The Key to Thoughtful Branding for Photography Business: Storytelling
As a photographer, you already know the power that storytelling has in visual art. Static images can burst to life, tiny moments can be relived, and perspective shifts can evoke the emotions of strangers. Thoughtful branding is also shaped through storytelling. In fact, it’s the key and foundation for creating a heartfelt brand. What is your story as a photographer? Does your brand support you in telling your story? Your brand is brought to life the moment you begin weaving your passions, values, and visions into your visual identity. You are worthy of good things, and you deserve a brand that genuinely shares your story.
Han Kat Studio’s Developmental Process for Branding for Photography Business
Utilizing The Brand Story Guide
Before we start with your branding, we need to start with you. I do this by utilizing a brand story guide to be incredibly intentional in learning about my clients and their stories. Instead of rushing through the process and focusing only on visual identity, I want to ensure that your visual identity and brand strategy are fully aligned with you.
Some of the questions I ask include:
What is your story like?
What led you to start your business?
What are you passionate about?
What are your main values, your mission, and your promise to your clients?
How do you want people to feel when they interact with your brand? (one of my favorite questions to ask)
2. Providing 2 Brand Concepts
After completing the brand story guide, I created two different concepts for your brand. Both concepts fit along the guidelines of you and your brand, but you get to choose the one that makes you say, “Oh wow, this one feels way more like me!”
Instead of forcing you into one concept, you get a choice! My goal is that you feel empowered to own your brand and have real confidence in it. After feeling ecstatic about one of the concepts, I began crafting your brand's visual identity.
3. Creating Brand Visual Identity
The brand visual identity includes back-and-forth communication with you as I provide different visuals, such as logo variations, and adjust them to your liking. Once your draft is finalized, I export everything! Then, you receive a comprehensive off-boarding guide that explains what your different file types are and how you can use them (there are even video tutorials!), so you feel equipped to implement your branding materials. With the off-boarding guide support, you will be able to bring your brand from being saved as a file to bringing your business to life!
4. Brand Implementation
Even though you have your off-boarding guide with instructions, I always try to help you create your brand suite hub. This looks like going into Canva and adding in your fonts and colors or updating your website with your branding, so it is easy to start implementing your branding right away. Plus, if you want more support with your brand implementation, I offer website design, social media templates, and print assets (print assets could include guides for photographers or business cards) for cohesiveness across all platforms and mediums. Click here to learn more about my offerings!
Branding for Photography Business: Paige Jacobson Photography
As an example, this is a branding project for Paige Jacobson Photography! After filling out her brand story guide and learning more about her, I began to design the elements of her brand. The typography was really simple, welcoming, and warm, which aligned with how she wanted her audience to feel. Then, for imagery, the little wildflower icon is the rhododendron, which is the Washington state flower where she is based. I wanted to make this design something beyond just a flower by utilizing her flower. Now, she can utilize all of these intentional branding elements on her website, social media, etc. to share her unique story!
A lot of photographers can get really stuck in the mold of what they think their branding should look like, or they feel stuck on what illustrations and icons to choose, so I love being as specific to you and your brand as possible. Get a different perspective on your business and get creative insight into your brand to move confidently forward with your branding!
Paige Jacobson Photography Testimonial
“Hannah is an absolute artist and brought my dreams to life! If you are looking for branding/design/website/etc., Hannah is your girl! I will never stop recommending her!”
I would love to bring your branding dreams to life too! Book with me to thoughtfully design your brand here.
The Next Step in Creating Your Thoughtful Branding
You are worthy of good things, and I hope to communicate this through every stage of our work together! Whether you’re starting from scratch, need a branding refresh, or have a specific design idea, I’d love to work with you and create a brand suite or design project that catches people’s attention and communicates you and your passions! With prices starting at $300 and payment plans available, my branding is accessible to all. To get the details on investment, Add-ons you can include, and the different packages I offer, click here.
Ready to dive right in? Inquire here! I will get in touch with you soon!
Even if you aren’t ready to invest in your branding yet, I would love to connect with you on IG. Creative outlets can be a safe space, but imposter syndrome and comparison are REAL. I hope to provide a safe environment that welcomes vulnerability, so I can encourage you in your hopes and dreams and tell your story. Follow me at hankatstudio!