These first few weeks of 2017 have been flying by — and I have been busy with so many new exciting projects! However, before I turn my focus completely on this new year, I wanted to reflect and share some of my favorite work and project from 2016. Last week I posted my Best of 2016 – Weddings & Engagements, and today I’m excited to share my Best of 2016 – Branding & Graphic Design.
While I had a wonderful year for weddings, my plan for 2016 was to shift my focus and start to build the branding side of my business.
At the beginning of 2015, my first year taking my business full time, I wrote an extensive business plan detailing how I would build my brand around two unique audiences (brides and bossladies) and two unique services (wedding photography and branding/graphic design). I had decided to dedicate my efforts to building the wedding side of my business in 2015 — and then saw the rewards of that effort in 2016 with more bookings and more fabulous weddings. In 2016 I shifted my focus to branding and graphic design.
Though I had worked professionally as a graphic designer at a marketing firm, and had owned my own photography business since 2009, this was my first time trying to take on my own branding clients and projects (a very different demographic than the clients at my old marketing firm). I learned a lot this last year. I grew a lot as a designer and a business owner. And I think, most importantly, I was able to take on design project that truly inspired me.
I started 2016 by getting a beta invitation to the new Showit 5 website platform. I had long been a Showit user and was so excited to start designing my new site on Showit 5. Admittedly, I spent way too long on my site design (about three months total), but as I’ve mentioned before, I really struggle when working on my own branding. I get a serious case of “kid in the candy store” and my project scope seems to grow indefinitely. However, when it was all done, I ended up with a website that I was so proud to show off! And wow, has that been a game changer. I didn’t realize how much my disappointment of my own visual branding had kept me from “putting myself out there.” It is so important to have branding that you are proud of — so you can be a more confident entrepreneur.
Along with my new site design, I also created a media kit/magazine for my brides, and completed my branded stationery set. As for client work, I created my first custom Showit 5 website design for another photographer — along with a complete Branding Collection for her. I completed several other Branding Collections and I took on a few smaller design projects, customizing Katelyn James Bridal Guides for other photographers as well. I also shot a fair amount of brand photography in my new studio. I find it so fulfilling being able to balance design and photography in my work.
I finished the year by designing my own branded holiday campaign, including custom packaging, stationery and social media pieces. I also created my first opt-in as a part of this campaign, launching my new subscription based Resource Collection.
At first I struggled with having two distinct sides to my business (branding/weddings) and I am still finding my way. This last year blessed me with plenty of clients and projects from both realms. Having shifted my focus to bossladies in 2016, I found it exhilarating to connect with so many other female entrepreneurs and have authentic conversations about their goals and dreams. And I am so grateful for the opportunities to help them grow towards those dreams. After spending the last two years growing each side of my business, my goal in 2017 is to find balance so I can continue to work equally at the two things I love most — weddings and branding.
Bosslady Portraits for writer, Caroline Beaton
Brand Stationery from Branding Collection for Fashion Stylist, Kerry Hughes
Styled Stock Photography for Orchidee Salon & Spa
The Launch of My New Showit 5 Website
Branded Stationery from Branding Collection for Photographer, Stefani Ciotti (Coming to the Blog Soon!)
Head Shots for Photographer, Tiffany Joyce, in Central Park, New York (Coming to Blog Soon!)
Logo Design from Branding Collection for Fashion Stylist, Kerry Hughes
Portraits for Adoption Website
Branded Stationery for My Own Brand
Custom Showit 5 Website & Mobile Design for Wedding Photographer, Stefani Ciotti (Coming to the Blog Soon!)
Media Kit/Magazine Design for Wedding Clients
Bosslady Portraits for writer, Caroline Beaton
Business Card design from Branding Collection for Interior Designer, Mandy Straight
Opt-In Printable Tag Design for the new Resource Collection
Business Card design from my own Branding Collection
Brand Portraits for Adoption Website
Branded Thank You Cards for Fashion Stylist, Kerry Hughes
Ready to Elevate YOUR Brand?