Personal Branding Portraits for Albany Pet Photographer

I was so honored when Marlana of Marlana Krupp Photography reached out to me to capture new branding portraits for her! Marlana is a fine art pet photographer and wanted to do a branding session to show her working with her four-legged clients. This was SUCH a fun session because I got to watch her do her thing - and see some sweet dogs, too.

For Marlana’s session, we captured a mix of headshots and candid, action portraits of her interacting with her clients and their dogs at one of the local parks here in Saratoga Springs. She primarily works out in nature, so incorporating that into her branding portraits was essential! I loved getting to see her work. I also wanted to be sure that we captured her fun, laid-back personality to help show what a pet portrait session with her is actually like. I found it fascinating to watch her capture the dogs' attention with a dozen different toys, and even a rope necklace filled with different noisemakers like duck calls, crinkly paper balls, squeakers, and whistles. I can relate - sometimes getting kids’ attention is like that, ha! Like with all of my branding portrait sessions, it was important to really understand these parts of Marlana’s brand so that we could create images that are totally about her and her brand!

Marlana plans to use these images on her website and social media, and to start blogging for her SEO, which I’m thrilled to hear! These portraits give her endless options for creating content to attract new clients, in addition to her own portraits that she creates of her furry clients. It’s one of the reasons I believe so strongly in personal branding sessions! You need to be able to showcase your work, but also who you are and what makes you unique for your clients.

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Personal branding portrait session with a color stylist

I am so excited to be sharing Amy’s branding session with you! Amy is a color consultant with House of Colour, and she wanted portraits showing off all of the incredible work she does. During her session, I was so impressed with how much I learned about colors and clothing choices. Beyond taking portraits, I was truly getting a chance to learn from an expert. Not to mention, Amy looked AMAZING on camera. She chose outfits and colors that really made her features pop. She and her home studio were so fun to photograph because of that!

I love working with female business owners, and we created such a fun gallery together. I'm already looking forward to seeing how Amy uses these images to elevate her business and marketing!​​​​​​​​ Amy, thank you for trusting me with your beautiful branding session. I hope you love looking back on them as much as I do!

Tell us more about your business! How did you get started, and why are you passionate about it.

House of Colour is a UK Based Company that has been providing color and style analysis for almost 40 years and recently expanded their operations into the United States.

I discovered House of Colour during a search for information on building a capsule wardrobe. I had recently transitioned from over a decade of working in a professional setting as a CPA to being a stay-at-home mom and was struggling to figure out how to dress for my new lifestyle and body. I was frustrated with all of the closet clutter, my spending habits, and feeling like I never had anything to wear! The idea of a capsule wardrobe was very appealing to me. I was immediately drawn to the practical and formulaic approach to shopping, but many of the capsule wardrobe guides I found online consisted of lots of boring neutrals (think white silk blouse with black pencil skirt styled 10 different ways) and did not fit my lifestyle at all! Once I found House of Colour, everything began to click! After discovering my best colors and styles, I was easily able to purge unflattering items from my closet and began to build a mix and match wardrobe of clothing that looked amazing and felt authentic to me.

During my color analysis, I was also shocked to learn that the color I had been dying my hair for years, along with all of my makeup was completely wrong for me! I changed my hair color and my makeup and started wearing my best colors and immediately began receiving compliments on my appearance for the first time in my life! When our family relocated to the area from Southern California last year, I knew I wanted to bring House of Colour to Saratoga Springs!

I offer two different types of appointments:

During a color analysis, I will use a series of precision dyed drapes to evaluate the way your complexion reacts to different colors. When you are wearing the right colors, your face will light up, your eyes will brighten, your skin will clear and you will have a natural glow. When you wear the wrong colors, your complexion can look dull, tired, washed out or even sick. Wearing the wrong colors can also bring discoloration in your skin such as hyperpigmentation, under eye circles, redness and fine lines. For makeup wearers, I custom match foundation, blush, mascara and three shades of lipstick to your natural coloring and completely take the guesswork out of buying makeup! No more swatching lipstick on your arm! Every color analysis appointment includes a beautiful color fan full of fabric swatches in your best colors and booklet with detailed information about building a wardrobe around your best colors. It is a very in-depth appointment that lasts about three hours for an individual. Appointments are available for individuals or for small groups. Color analysis is for women, men and children too!

During a style analysis, I will evaluate your body architecture and show you which shapes, silhouettes, hemlines, and style elements will look best on you. We will also take into account your personality, lifestyle and personal goals to guide you in building a wardrobe that reflects the very best version of your authentic self and makes a strong first impression.

What made you want to book a personal branding session?

As the first to bring this brand-new service to the area, I needed to market my business and educate potential clients on what color and style analysis is all about! I wanted live action shots to convey the entire service experience. I wanted the vibe to be colorful, fun and professional. Nicole really took time to understand my business so she could nail the shots and vibe I was looking for!

Was there anything you were nervous about before your session? How did I help make that experience easier for you?

I really wasn’t very nervous! I had worked with Nicole previously for my headshots which turned out amazing and was a really fun experience, so I knew I was in good hands! Nicole sent me a thoughtful questionnaire about my business and my goals which allowed me to gather my thoughts about my vision and intentions for the branding session. Nicole also met with me prior to the photoshoot to go over all the details including inspiration shots and the props we would use.

Plus, thanks to House of Colour, I know my best colors and styles and love all my clothes, so I was not stressed about what to wear! In the past, a photo shoot like this would have been extremely stressful and I would have agonized about how to do my makeup and what to wear and probably ran out and bought five new outfits. This time, I was able to easily pull different looks together right from my closet and do my regular makeup routine!

Now that you have all of your gorgeous portraits back, how are you using them?

I recently appeared in Saratoga Living Magazine and was happy to have some colorful, eye-catching “action shots” for the write-up. I have also used the photos for marketing materials and handouts at several local events. I am so grateful to Nicole for creating these beautiful images that highlight my services!

Where can we follow you?

Instagram: houseofcolour_saratogasprings

Book an appointment!

Amy.Latta@houseofcolour.com

Website

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What to wear for your headshot portrait session - Saratoga Springs headshot photographer

Headshot portrait sessions are about more than just taking a good photo to share online. Headshots should share your style, personality, and should be a reflection of who you really are. When you start to select outfits for your headshot portrait session, there’s a few things to consider. Remember to choose outfits that make you feel confident and amazing - and spark joy. Today, I’m sharing my top tips for what to wear for your headshot session!

A few general guidelines to keep in mind when selecting outfits for your headshot session:

Bring a few different looks, and we can narrow them down at the studio. I’d rather you have more to choose from than feel insecure about something you wear. So, here’s some of my favorite outfit ideas…

Opt for form-fitting outfits for a slimmer look!

Avoid chunky knits, boxy tops, or loose blouses that will make you appear wider on camera than you really are. Choosing form-fitting outfits will help you appear slimmer on camera.

Textures are your best friend!

Lace, ruching, and interesting fabric details all photograph beautifully. They provide a little more of an interesting factor to your portraits, so don’t be afraid to lean into them!

Choose longer sleeves if they make you comfortable!

Consider long sleeves or 3/4 sleeves, and avoid cap sleeves and sleeveless styles if you're not 100% confident with your arms. Remember, the goal of these portraits is to capture images you love and want to share to promote your business online!

Bring tops with flattering necklines.

Scoop, v-neck, cowl neck all photograph beautifully. I love when my clients bring outfits that really play with their outfits like this.

Add layers to switch up your look!

A form-fitting cardigan or a blazer can change the look of your outfit instantly. It’s also a way to incorporate parts of your typical outfit - like a jacket or lab coat - into your portraits.

Plan for a variety of colors.

Many clients opt for something light, something dark, and something bold. See what I mean about bringing lots of options? There’s a better chance for final images that you’ll love!

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A Personal Brand Session with Lifestyle Coach Patti Butler

I recently had the opportunity to work with Patti Butler, a certified life coach in the Albany area who specializes in women’s empowerment. I first met Patti four years ago when her daughter was born, and during the stillness of 2020 I watched her shift her online presence and grow her new online coaching business, Empowered on Purpose.

When Patti reached out to me and inquired about personal branding portraits for her new business, I was so excited to hear about her big plans and all of the changes she had in store for the upcoming months for her business.

My favorite memory from our first phone call was when Patti told me that a branding session with me had literally been on her vision board ever since she got started with her coaching way back in 2020. She had printed out my logo and stuck it up there right with her other big dreams and motivators. As a fellow mama and entrepreneur who loves cheering on other women business owners, that made my heart so happy and grateful to hear.

Patti absolutely rocked her branding session. We captured multiple looks with a variety of outfits, rooms, and props to really showcase her personality and the heart behind her brand. After her session she had dozens of gorgeous images to use to elevate her online presence and connect with her followers through her website, social media, newsletters, and so much more!

Enjoy this interview to learn more about Patti’s business and the inside scoop about her branding session, and read to the end to see where you can follow along on her coaching journey!

What made you want to do a personal branding session?

Nicole has been my family photographer ever since I had my daughter four years ago. When I began this business venture I knew without a doubt that I wanted Nicole to be the one to take my brand photos. Nicole has always had a way of making me feel comfortable in the vulnerable and exciting times in my life like being a new mama and now a business owner—I knew she’d be perfect. 

Was there anything you were nervous about before your session? 

I had the same nervous flutters that most women get before seeing themselves on camera. Body image, confidence, and the pressures to look beautiful are very real, even for life coaches. The difference is that when you work with Nicole, as quickly as those thoughts pop into your head, she comforts you through her reassurance, her skills, and her amazing personality to let it all go! Working with her allowed me to tap into who I really am and leave all of those insecurities at the door.

Nicole offered a personalized branding session pre-consultation prior to the day of the shoot which covered every single detail and she brought many wonderful ideas of inspiration to the meeting. Between the pre-shoot meeting and the day of professionalism, the choice to work with Nicole for yet another lifetime milestone was effortless. 

Tell us more about your business and the women you serve.

As a certified life coach I specialize in women’s empowerment. I have found that most of my clients come to me with similar life experiences such as feeling stuck in a career that holds no connection to a deeper purpose, being overwhelmed and burnt-out, and find they have very little work-life balance. On top of that they will often express that they don’t have a clear idea of what their next step should be but know they want it to be very different then where they are now. I find that it’s quite common that my clients check all of the “boxes”. They have done all the things that are expected of them such as get good grades, have friends, go to college, get a good job (work that job tirelessly) and then maybe get married and have babies. No matter where they are on this journey, most feel that this is their life’s path. What happens is that at some point on this path, feelings of “well what now” or  “this can’t be it” or “I can’t possibility go to this job one more day” creep in. This is where they find me…this is where our relationship begins.

My job as their coach is to teach my clients tools to connect them to their purpose which will have a ripple effect of unlocking their dreams and desires that are all in alignment with their greater purpose in life. This allows for a true sense of fulfillment, happiness and joy. From here I love to sprinkle in how to attract abundance so that not only are my clients living a purposeful life but also free of the feeling that there isn’t enough. It’s a common thought amongst my clients that they have to struggle or hustle in order to achieve success. I take this form of conditioning and light it on fire—aka I show them that everything they want can come with ease.  All of the layers of my coaching program are meant to not only remove perceived “road blocks” but also feel like magic. Before they know it, life begins to look like everything they’ve ever dreamed about. 

Enter my purpose. I always knew I was meant to teach, serve and enlighten others to a happier way to live. For the past twelve years I thought that my purpose was meant to be as an occupational therapist. But then I had my daughter and realized very quickly that my worth, my time and my value was no longer serving me in the hands of an employer who saw me as dollar signs. I felt the constant struggle between being a great mom or a great employee. In my career path it was very difficult to be both. So when the world shut down in 2020, I got to work. I hired a coach of my own and did a lot of inner work which led me to the path of becoming certified myself as a life and health coach, starting my own business, leaving my full time job, and living life on purpose. Each time I lead a client to a place of empowered fulfillment living their life on purpose, I get a full body, mind and soul feeling that I am doing what I am made to do. 

Women can choose to work with me in a variety of ways. I offer an individualized coaching program where I will tailor our sessions to my clients’ exact needs. This is an expansive program and oftentimes one where my clients experience beautiful mindset shifts and achieve multiple life-long goals. I also offer my signature 12-week group coaching program called Empowered on Purpose. With Empowered on Purpose,  I teach my clients how to release fear, doubt and limiting beliefs in order to clearly connect to their deeper purpose in life.  Some of the successes my clients experience are to follow a dream of pursuing a brand new career path, secure promotions or salary raises in their current jobs, pursue dreams of writing a book or a charity start up. All of my clients will learn rituals that promote daily inspiration, growth and abundance that facilitate living a joyful life. 

Now that you have all of your gorgeous portraits back, what are you going to do with all of them?  What impact have you seen already in your marketing/social media/engagement, etc?

Now having had all of the photos for a few months, I have used them to elevate my website and social feeds. When I look at my website and content on social I not only see photos that are beautiful but photos that truly embody who I am. Nicole captured that to a tee. As a massive bonus, my social engagement spiked and I was able to have so many beautiful photos to choose from without worry so that I could focus on the inspiring content that I wanted to produce.Thank you Nicole! Can’t wait for our next photo session together in the next few months. 

What are your goals for the new year?

For me, 2022 looks to be like another beautiful year of personal and professional growth and expansion. I am  SO excited for my next launch of Empowered on Purpose for 2/22/22 (woohoo universe for that date) and am accepting applications for this program right now. Make sure to follow along on both Facebook and Instagram (see link below)  for daily coaching hacks on how to live a life free of burnout and full of abundance and purpose. 

I consider myself blessed to be able to do this work not only because I get to teach and inspire women to live their most authentic, purposeful lives, but because I get to wake up everyday happy and fulfilled. I am living my dream. 

Where can we follow you? 

Website: pattimarybutler.com 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/purposely_patti/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Patti.Butler29

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A Personal Brand Photography Session with Saratoga Springs Interior Designer Leah Margolis Design

I recently had the pleasure of working with Leah Margolis Design, an extremely talented interior designer in Saratoga Springs who truly lives in color.

Leah was looking for portraits that reflected her personality & style, while showing clients and potential clients what they can expect when working with her. We wanted her portraits to be relaxed and approachable, engaging and unexpected, and of course filled with color and quirky patterns.

During our planning meeting Leah told me all about the PROCESS that she takes with each of her clients, and how important it is for her to have tangible items to bring together to show fabrics, metals, and textures. I loved incorporating this into her session, taking everything off of the computer screen and putting it in her hands instead, just like she does with her clients.

We captured a variety of detail shots, action shots, and relaxed head shots for Leah to use on her website and social media, and I’m thrilled to share them all with you today!

We made sure to tell many different “stories” in her session, from styling a table to picking out swatches, working at her computer, and scrolling on her phone. Business owners wear many hats, and it’s important to be authentic with your online presence and show that in your portraits!

You can follow Leah Margolis Design at:
https://www.facebook.com/leahmdesign/
https://instagram.com/leahmdesign/
https://leahmargolisdesign.com/

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Inspired by this personal branding session? Pin this image or any from the post above!

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About Nicole Starr Photography 

Nicole Starr specializes in newborn, baby & family photography and has been serving families in New York and Massachusetts since 2012.  She has a portrait studio in Saratoga Springs, NY for families in the Capital Region, and she also works with families at her Attleboro, MA studio and on location in Boston and on Cape Cod. 

Nicole also loves working with small business owners to help them redefine their online presence and showcase the heart behind their brand or blog. Thinking about revamping your website or social media with more than a boring old headshot? Get in touch!

The Branding Series - Part 2 | Discovering your brand style with Guest Blogger Refinery Original

Welcome to the second post in our Branding Series, geared towards helping creative entrepreneurs delve into the story of why they do what they do, and discover the heart behind their brand so that they can make the best first impression on their potential clients.

Did you miss the first post in our branding series featuring my favorite designer of all time, Erica Clayton of Refinery Original?  Start there!

This week we're talking all about discovering your brand.  Let's be real for a minute...

At one point, every new business owner thinks that a pretty logo and some colors makes up a brand, right?  A few years ago, I was right there with you thinking, "I just need a pretty logo and two colors."

But oooooh, how quickly we learn that your brand is about so much more than that!  Your brand is far from simple -- it is a complex, living, breathing being.  Your brand is who you are.  It is the heart & soul behind your business.  It is your story, and your carefully crafted "why".  It is the first impression you give potential clients -- do you want it to be warm, welcoming, edgy, bold, whimsical, modern, moody?  Your brand can do all of those things, and trust me -- it takes a whole lot more than a logo and some pretty colors to do that!

When I first hired Refinery Original to help me with my rebrand 18 months ago, she had me start gathering visual inspiration for an inspiration board.  I pinned it all on a secret Pinterest board, from fashion to home decor, nursery details, paint chips, and fonts.  

Today on the blog, Erica Clayton of Refinery Original is sharing her tips for creating your own inspiration board to discover the heart behind your brand!  Read all the way to the end for the link to download a PSD template to build your own inspiration board!

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The process of discovery is huge in the design process, one that is often only touched on the surface but holds more weight than any other point in the process. The goal is to capture who you are, what motivates you as a photographer and why you choose to do this day in and day out. With the everyday demands of entrepreneurship, establishing the heart behind your brand keeps you focused and gives purpose to the monotony and expectations. This is the very first step in discovering your brand. Do this and everything else will flow naturally.

Now — the pretty things! The visual elements that make up a brand identity. While heart and narrative play massively into a brand, the visual elements bring your it full circle. 

Step 1: Home

Look at the design pieces you bring into your home, after all, your home is your safe place, the unfiltered expression of who you are and contains the things that draw you in. The artwork, paint colors, furniture pieces, decorations, tile choice, wood colors, etc., your style cuts immediately to the heart of you, which in turn defines your brand. 

Step 2: Nature

Get out and adventure. Walk through the places that inspire you whether it be a garden, the beach, downtown. Wherever you find makes your heart jump in excitement, go there and take note of the colors, textures, patterns you see and the emotions you feel. Those are elements that you want to take note of when you design an inspiration board.

Step 3: Pinterest

Now that you’ve honed in on who you are, you can now peruse Pinterest. I always advise my clients to stay away from pinning other logos and inspiration boards because you begin to morph into someone else’s brand rather than creating your own. Take step 1 and step 2 and beginning pinning images that represent these things. Pin to your hearts content, documenting what each pin speaks to you. Also pin typefaces (fonts) that draw you in but the fun comes when those pins come from items like invitations. At the end of the process, you should have 50+ images that outline your brand visuals. 

Step 4: Build Your Inspiration Board

Filter through your new Pinterest board and look for commonality in your pins, colors, textures, patterns, typefaces, etc. Screenshot 12-15 that have a cohesive feel, open up Photoshop and put them in an inspiration board. If an image doesn't fit the feel of your developing brand, find another that will! Be picky when designing your inspiration board. This will act as a filter for your entire brand!

I hope that helps you narrow down your style! Do the hard work now and everything else will flow naturally.

PS. To help, I’ve included a link to a inspiration board template for you to use when building your very own inspiration board. Download and start designing a brand that’s you!

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Now, before you click into a new window and continue with your day... stop whatever you're doing and enter this giveaway!  Refinery Original is celebrating their rebrand & launch by hosting a giveaway through June 23 with over $3000 in prizes, including a full brand experience, an Ona bag, coaching sessions, Showit subscriptions, and an Instax Mini Polaroid. No purchase necessary — enter here!  www.refineryoriginal.com/celebrate

Ready to do some shopping?  Check out their perfectly designed brand experiences, geared to help you tell your story in the most beautiful way!  These website templates will set you up for success in your rebrand, with incredible savings, too!  Save now with the discount code NICOLE, too!  http://shop.refineryoriginal.com/nicole

The Branding Series - Part 1 | Thoughts on rebranding & an interview with designer Erica Clayton of Refinery Original

Ohhhh, this post has been a long time coming!  

If you've been following along with our bimonthly business newsletters & blog posts, you know by now that I truly love sharing lessons I've learned along the way as a creative entrepreneur & baby photographer.  Today's blog post is extra special, and it's truly an inside look at one of the  best changes I have ever implemented in the past 5 years of business!

Only one and a half years ago, I had a website that didn't work, a generic logo from Etsy, packaging that didn't match anything else, and no other client touchpoints to really "wow" the families that I worked with.  That sounds pretty awful, right?
 

At the end of 2015, I knew that I needed professional help to not only define my brand, but elevate my brand's visual presence to the luxury & boutique feel that I was moving towards in my business.  With the broken website that I hadn't managed to fix on my own after more than a year of a malfunctioning landing page (because let's face it, coding and web design is so NOT my forte, but it is a definite strength for other individuals!),  I knew that it was time to seek a web designer & branding specialist to help me out!  

In January of 2016, I started working with Erica Clayton of Refinery Original.  We worked together to do a complete rebrand of my business.  I knew that my website & brand was not truly reflecting who I am and the service I wanted to provide to the families that I work with, but I felt completely stuck.  Honestly, I didn't even know where to begin!  

Erica sent me an incredibly detailed questionnaire, and we had a few FaceTime calls to get started and get to know each other.  This woman must have the most incredible intuition and be truly amazing at reading people and their goals, because somehow she was able to take me from being lost in a sea of ideas to narrowing it down the create the most perfect vision that would direct me in my business... and all of that happened in about 3 weeks!  

I spent hours on Pinterest searching for anything that inspired me -- fabrics, kitchens, quotes, clothing, fonts, paint colors, jewelry, home decor.  I sent her links to web layouts that inspired me, and pages upon pages of content for the website.  Through all of that mess of ideas (as you know, us creative spirits can be a bit messy sometimes!), Erica was able to see the threads of consistency that wove them all together -- a little bit of whimsy, a touch of femininity, the innocence of childhood, just a hint of sparkle, and a whole lot of emphasis on STORYTELLING.  What she came up with blew me away, and I remember thinking, "Wow, so THAT is what Nicole Starr Photography should look like!" the very first time she sent me my inspiration board, below:

But still, after the inspiration board I remember thinking, "Now how exactly is that going to be translated into everything I do in my business?  What does that look like?"  She figured it all out, and it was such a smooth process as she created my logo, website, and collateral pieces.  She frequently paused to ask me for more info on this part or that part, images for this section, or to really dig deeper into the heart and the WHY behind another part of the brand.

I loved the entire process, and I had never been as proud of anything I've done with my business as I was when it was officially #NSPLaunchDay.  Finally, I was able to present the heart behind Nicole Starr Photography to the world in a way that I knew truly represented who I am, why I do what I do, and the type of experience I always aim to deliver to the families that I work with.

Back in January of 2016, I thought then that launching was the best part.  But I discovered that, as cheesy as it sounds, the best truly was yet to come!  

It's been one and a half years since I launched my new brand, and I am so pleased to say that it is now ever stronger than it was when we launched -- and I looooooved it back then, but I love it even more now that I've been able to grow into it!  That's what you want, right?  To create a business that represents who you are in such a way that you'll be able to grow into it for years to come!  

Ever since we launched I've carried the design elements that Erica dreamt up for me into my newsletter, my social media pages, my product offerings, and my packaging.  My album designs and birth announcements even show those elements that represent my business, right down to having the same two recognizable fonts on every piece of written material that ever goes out from me.  Everything goes together so beautifully, and it's now so much easier to create something new since I already know my fonts, colors, and layouts that work together for the best first impression!  

Rebranding professionally truly has made my life as a business owner so much easier.  I have created countless pieces of printed & digital marketing materials, and I now consider every little detail from the size, colors, and font, right down to what kind of paper they are printed on. 

Over the past 18 months, I have been at multiple events where I had potential clients comment on the look & feel of my marketing materials, be left breathless when going through my products (that is seriously such a compliment and I am so honored when that happens!), and others even tell me later on that the reason that sealed the deal and they decided to book me was because of how professionally I had presented everything to them.  Every time that happens I write Erica a quick little note to thank her again for her services, because I know that I never would have been able to do this on my own!

So today, I wanted to welcome Erica Clayton of Refinery Original to the blog as our guest blogger.  We are going to start a series of blog posts this summer focused on discovering & defining your brand, and Erica is here to get us started!  Check back in every two weeks for the next post in our series, or sign up for the newsletter to have the post delivered directly to your inbox!

So now, please meet Erica, my favorite designer who has a big heart for helping creative entrepreneurs make an incredible first impression!  (P.S.  She's also a member of The Rising Tide Society, one of the ways in which we first connected!)

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I’m Erica Clayton, the designer behind Refinery Original. We are a husband + wife team, he’s the visionary with the big dreams and plans to get there and I am the designer that takes the vision for our business and our clients’ businesses and bring them into a cohesive brand.  Or rather, he’s the brains, I’m the beauty. Our ultimate goal is to support, educate and CELEBRATE creative entrepreneurs. 

 

Tell us about you and your family:

We were married young, he was 22, I was 21 and we quickly grew our family over the last 10 years {we celebrate our 10 year anniversary in a couple weeks!!!}. We have 5 incredible kids — our girls, Noah (8), Shea (6) and Tatum (5) and our boys — Diesel (3) and Lincoln (1). People think we’re crazy for having so many but I wouldn’t have it any other way! They may drive us crazy sometimes but it’s worth every minute, even with every fight, every fit and every failure, there is always a victory in the end. We, as parents especially, and them as our kids, simply have to persevere {perseverance is a huge part of our family mission statement}. 

As a family, we are avid roadtrippers, like drive across the country in 3 days roadtrippers. A few summers ago, we conquered a 48 state road trip in 3 weeks. If you ever get the opportunity, do it. The sights and differences in topography are incredible. We also love adventure {hence roadtripping} and we try and make a new adventure happen every couple weeks. It’s a time for building our relationship as a family and our legacy as parents. Those times of motivation when hiking up a 700 foot waterfall with our then 5 and 3 year old and seeing their faces when they reach the top and feel like they conquered the world — that is when character is built and they view victory as attainable.

We are coffee connoisseurs, our current favorite is Kicking Horse Cliff Hanger {buy it on Amazon, it’s robust flavor is unrivaled}. More than the flavor, we enjoy coffee because of the feelings and emotions that are derived from a cup of coffee, comfort, warmth, nostalgia, safety, all the good feels in one cup. Also, Sunday dinners are our favorite, they include opening our home to our friends and family for a home cooked meal {I love cooking!} all in an effort to create a safe haven and opportunity for fellowship. Through our 10 years of marriage, we have found that all good conversation and growth happens over food or a cup of coffee, combine the two and you’re in for a sweet, satisfying time.

Tell us about your business, and your favorite types of client experiences:

I could talk about our family for days because I just love them so much and they are fun in abundance but let’s get down to business {to defeat the Huns — Mulan fans?}. We started branding and website design 7 years ago. After years of navigating the entrepreneurial world, we honed in on our target audience, nailed down our services and watched our business grow in ways we only dreamed of. Working with creative entrepreneurs not only made the design aspect of our business fun because I had beautiful images to work with but it made the nitty gritty business side of our company enjoyable because creatives appreciate the time and effort that goes into creating a brand. It’s not something slapped together, it takes thought, precision, and craft to take someone’s visions, dreams and goals and bring them into a visual reality. 

The client experience is the bread and butter of everyone’s business. It is in a sense, free marketing. Make the client experience something that leaves your client with jaw dropped — you can double down on the fact that they’ll be sharing your name with everyone they know. My absolute favorite part of the client experience is the feelings that rise up in your client. #1 goal — leave them with all the good feelings and they’ll never forget your experience. Brand visuals, gifts, collateral all go into creating that unforgettable client experience but the greatest component of your client experience is YOU. The way you interact with them, the communication, the support, the joy, that is the definition of your brand. 

You truly have a magical way of connecting with your clients & tapping into who they really are to represent that in their websites and branding.  How do you do that?:

When designing alongside my clients, we dive deeper than just the pretty things they think they want. We go into their goals, the dreams they have, the legacy they want to leave. We get to the root of their story. Your story is where it all began, what drives you, what will keep you motivated when the trials of business come. It’s your why and the most important step when developing your brand. Establish your why and everything else will follow. 

I have included a short tutorial, The Refining Process, for you that will walk you through. These 3 simple steps will help you narrow down your why, your ideal client and how you’ll deliver your why to your ideal client. So — we go into their why and evolve from there, sorting through aesthetics, creating content that makes an impact and tells a story, curating a cohesive portfolio and choosing collateral piece that only further enhance the client experience. From your first touch point to the last and even years beyond, your brand should be strong and cohesive, always delivering a story. 

What advice do you have for photographers or business owners who are looking to get started with developing a brand for the first time?

There is so much that goes into developing and designing a brand but when it comes down to it, telling a story is the greatest thing you can do. People are consumers, they consume content. You want your content/your story to be one they can’t get enough of. Outline your story, make a plan of deliverance and put it into motion. 

You don’t need a completely custom website design to build a strong brand and honestly, if you are just starting out, your money can be spent better elsewhere {like marketing} BUT you do need a logo and website and it is ALWAYS better if it is aesthetically pleasing! 

With creative entrepreneurs in mind, I have designed prebuilt brands and websites that can be customized for your business. This alleviates the need for a $5000+ budget and puts a powerful, beautiful tool in the hands of those with more conservative budgets. On June 2, Refinery Original will be launching 7 new brand experiences, from the logo to website to collateral, all cohesive, all gorgeous. Follow along with us for more details about our launch {it’s going to be a big one!} and if you sign up for our newsletter, you’ll get first access to our designs with an exclusive subscriber discount.

I’ll close with this, establish who you are in your business, how best your business can serve others and how you can deliver an incredible experience and you are set with the essentials of a growing business. 

REFINERY ORIGINAL

www.refineryoriginal.com

Instagram: @refineryoriginal

Facebook: Refinery Original

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I would love for you to have an amazing experience digging into the heart & soul behind your brand, and to work with a designer who will help you make the very best first impression with your potential clients.   Just because we're photographers & business owners, doesn't mean we're good at web design and branding and every other task that we take on as creative entrepreneurs.  

Take my advice, and hire a professional who surpasses all of your expectations!  If you're thinking of working with Erica, please let her know that I sent you!  Be sure to follow her page for info on the exciting new templates she is launching on June 2, too!

The next post in our Branding Series is coming on Monday, June 5!  Check back then to learn all about discovering your branding style!