From left to right, Miranda Berube (Professional Hair and Makeup Artist), me, and Keely Lozier (Professional Wardrobe Stylist).
Image by Tina Leu

In a business that is full of brilliant photographers and the stunning visuals they create, I have spent the past years working hard to stand out by putting an emphasis on elevated service, making my clients feel amazing and delivering images that reflect their inner beauty and strength. And for all I say about treating yourself to a session that is all about you, I have never made the time and investment to hire someone else to create professional images for me. After years of proudly building my business, defining and refining my voice, brand and presence, I moved ahead with the next step in my journey--booking a photo shoot for me and my team. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long, long time.

The goal of the shoot was to personalize my marketing by showing my face and my team. The images needed to visually capture the world I see everyday and that my clients experience during a photo shoot. I ask all of my clients to share what they want their photos to portray about themselves and their work so I did the same. I wanted to present the empowering, fun, and inspirational experience my clients have along with the expertise the team brings when it comes to hair, makeup and wardrobe. Most importantly, the visuals needed to showcase the warmth and celebration my team and I give to each client.

So what was it like for me to be on the other side? I hear from my clients how the portrait experience is so much more than a photoshoot, that they felt seen, and that the images help them build towards their future self. And wow, I can report the same! I know my company is at a whole new level but the photo my photographer took of my team and I confidently posing together screams of the confidence and connection we have with each other. That image captured our experience and strength in a way that felt so authentic to me. I am so glad to have gone through this exercise and can’t wait to bring you along for the ride.

The search for the right person to capture my business’ energy felt like forever until I came across Tina Leu’s work in the Sue Bryce community and Facebook Group. I was crazy about Tina’s work and her ability to tell a story. I love her vibe. I love her aesthetic. She was the one. I flew her up to Providence to do a session at my studio. How exciting not just being able to have Keely style me and Miranda do me up, but it meant I could be in my space and have my team in the images telling the full studio story. My team is critical to the experience and execution of each shoot as they play a lead role in creating and carrying the good vibes in the studio.

Of course when the day came, I was nervous and asking “why am i doing this!?” But just like I promise my own clients who feel those nerves, once hair and make up started I totally forgot about it and had so much fun. I know a big part of that was having my team do what they normally do. Along with getting me glammed up, they were by my side to hoot and holler, to pump me up and to make me look and feel beautiful.

Keely being there meant she could add her special touch of trying to undress me on set for a boudoir look. And as it turns out, this photo is my favorite. It shows me, a genuine smile almost laughing and looks like me the most. I love how Tina captured that side of me and showed it off. Of course I’m getting a large print of it as a reminder of my power and beauty. Image by Tina Leu

It was SO FUN and cool to see what it is like to be on the other side of a branding shoot. I hear from my clients that this experience has taken them to the next level. I’ve photographed myself often taking self portraits to test lighting and backdrops, but being in front of someone else’s camera is a whole new level of understanding. It was good to gain the perspective of being on the other side. I had to communicate my goals for the shoot and then let go of control, trust Tina and let her own process flow. The resulting images do exactly what I wanted. They express the personal side of my business and the easiness we bring to clients. They show off the teamwork, the studio and how we make the experience comfortable and fun. This photo of the whole team from the client’s perspective says it all--present, smiling and excited. It’s just us.

One more shout out to Tina, my wonderful photographer — thank you lady for being so wonderful to work with!

Book a session

From the Other Side: My Own Personal Branding Shoot.