5 Lessons Learned: My first "on the Road" Branding Session in New Orleans
Creating fun, dynamic engaging visual branded assets makes all the difference when your ideal clients visit your website and social media sites. Get outside your comfort level and express your emotions!
My previous beloved branding clients, Tek Chix, wanted to add to the marketing assets and update their branding images. Here are some quick lessons I learned while doing my first out of my home state of Virginia branding session. You can also apply these to your branding session, wherever you are at!
Lesson 1: Always do a site location preview the day before
I did my pre-branding consult and Norma Jean has mentioned being photographed at the City Park. I checked out City Park the day before on a bike ride. There were tons of people and needed to find a more secluded area for taking Norma Jean and Ava’s branded portraits. I found a small, stone bridge that was a great metaphor for connecting people to their dream job.
City Park in New Orleans provided a sense of place and also offered as a perfect metaphor of the bridge they create to find tech companies and their clients a perfect match.
Lesson 2: Use all your Tools in your Tool Belt
I brought my Oliphant 8x10 backdrop with my travels. Jeff, my husband was able to secure it on top of the truck in a large white tube. Some people think it is a fishing rod holder. I wasn’t going to let the beautiful hand-painted piece of art get left behind.
I’m so glad I brought with me my Oliphant Backdrop so I can do still do Studio Looks and On-Location dynamic images. Norma Jean and Ava of clean images to work with and can easily add their customized text in the negative space provided to them.
Lesson #3 - Get those Action Shots
Norma Jean and Ava work hard every day in their staffing company. I wanted to get them in a similar setup as their everyday work environment. They have an integrity-driven and personally tailored approach that has earned them an impressive 95% success rate with staffing placements. Wow! That’s incredible. It also explains the phenomenal growth they’ve experienced in the last few years.
They have an integrity-driven and personally tailored approach that has earned them an impressive 95% success rate with staffing placements. See the top image and the whiteboard behind them that reinforces this message?
Lesson 4 - Have Fun and include your Pet!
Fun is a big part of the TekChix brand and they are big Saints fans. We did some fun images and even included Patrick the sweet pup. Did you know if you include an animal in your branded portraits your social media engagement increases by 63%? People love animals, especially dogs and cats.
I love the high-energy and the fun they’ll get from using their images on Social Media and their website.
Lesson #5: Use your surroundings to tell a story
Lastly, I learned that there a lot of New Orleans pride, and Norma Jean and Ava had their own personal love for New Orleans too. The area is rich in history, culture, and beauty.
New Orleans' and the world's oldest and most stunning collection of live oak trees.
I thought it would be great to show their New Orleans pride subtly and with the natural beauty all around them, especially with the beautiful out-reaching Live oak trees. We found a street that wasn’t filled with cars parked and they walked with confidence.
Gorgeous Live Oaks trees lines the street supporting the the viewer’s knowledge that this team is in New Orleans.
The Branding session was such a great experience for all of us! It is great to see a city with fresh eyes and make informed suggestions on how best to tell their personal board story.
Norma Jean and Ava purchased my best Branding package and they have 15 new branded marketing assets they can use for their online digital needs as well as any of their printed marketing pieces.
We really enjoyed our time in New Orleans and plan to be back next year.
Credits:
Hair Styling and Camera-Ready Makeup by: Betsy Boone
Wardrobe Styling: Megan Wilson, SweetTalk Strategy, and Shelly Molaschi, Wardrobe Consult - Make sure you make note of their clothing selections as they are bold, colorful, and fun coordinated selections.