Brand Photography for Blooming Design Co. | Central Illinois Brand Photographer
There's an irony that doesn't get talked about enough in the creative industry: some of the most talented brand designers and web designers in Central Illinois are practically invisible online. They spend their days crafting stunning visual identities for other people's businesses, and yet their own audience has never truly seen them.
That's exactly why I loved working with Claire, the creative behind Blooming Design Co. based in Bloomington, Illinois.
Claire is a web and branding designer who also offers Squarespace templates, and she works with clients all over the world. She recently went through a rebrand herself (a full evolution of her visual identity), and she knew that to show up authentically in her new direction, she needed photos that could actually carry that brand. Not stock images. Not an old headshot. Real brand photos that matched who she is and where she's going.
So we booked a branding session in my studio, and honestly? It was one of the most colorful, playful, and creative sessions I've had the joy of shooting.
Building the Concept: Color, Creativity, and Personality
When I'm planning a branding session, I think about what makes that person them: their energy, their colors, the details that tell their story at a glance.
For Claire, that meant leaning all the way into color and creativity.
One of my favorite ideas going into the session was having Claire hand paint photo papers to use as backdrops in detail shots. She showed up and absolutely delivered. The pieces she painted were so perfectly on-brand, we ended up hanging them on the wall and using them throughout the session in ways I hadn't even originally planned. That's the magic of working with a fellow creative: they elevate your ideas.
From there, we built out the session with intentional layers of detail:
Florals woven throughout for softness and texture
A pink backdrop I made specifically for this shoot
Purple envelopes to represent her email newsletter, a nod to the "happy mail" feeling she brings to her audience
Her Pantone swatch book, because if you're a designer, your tools are part of your brand story
A green polaroid, her phone, and an iPad for mock-up shots that are genuinely useful for her website and social media
My vintage pink telephone for a few cheeky "your brand designer is calling" moments
Every prop had a purpose. Every detail was intentional. That's what separates a branding session from a regular headshot.
The Session: From Fun Portraits to Full-On Vibe
We kicked things off with relaxed, natural portraits: Claire sitting, laughing, just being herself. She has this bright, outgoing energy that you can feel in a room, and my goal was to make sure that translated in every frame.
From there, we played. We used the painted backdrops for detail shots and wall displays. We created motion blur photos with her holding a flower bouquet, adding life and variety to the gallery. We tucked flowers into her pant pockets. We laid the purple envelopes on the floor and had her lay across them, holding one over her face with different expressions: raised eyebrows, playful looks, pure personality.
Then came the Pantone swatches moment. She had this whole collection of them, and I looked at the pile and said: throw them in the air. So she did. And it was everything.
We also shifted into a second look, something more neutral and toned down, to give her gallery range. Not every photo needs to be maximum color. Having variety means she can use these images across different contexts without everything feeling the same.
Why This Matters for Brand Designers (and Web Designers) in Central Illinois
Here's the thing I want to say directly: if you're a designer, you need to be visible.
Your clients in Peoria, Morton, Washington, Tremont, East Peoria, and Bloomington need to know, like, and trust you before they hire you. That happens through your work and through seeing you as a real person with a real personality and a real point of view.
Claire gets this. And watching her use these images on her website and Instagram has genuinely made my heart happy. She uses them in ways I never would have thought of, which is proof that when a creative person gets a full gallery of intentional, on-brand images, they run with it in the best possible way.
If you're a brand or web designer in Central Illinois and you've been putting off a branding session because you're more comfortable behind the screen than in front of a camera, this is your sign.
Your audience wants to see you.
Blooming Design Co. is based in Bloomington, Illinois and works with clients worldwide. You can find Claire's work and Squarespace templates at her website.
Ready to Book Your Central Illinois Brand Photography Session?
Interested in your own branding session in the Peoria, Bloomington, or Central Illinois area? Let's connect and start planning.
Are you a photog in desperate need of inspiration???
Check out my posing guides! These began as a resource for myself. It dawned on me that it would be so helpful for anyone else not totally confident in posing or getting tired of the same old poses. Add to cart!!
No need to stress during your next session with posing, I got you! In this posing guide, you will find 50 of my go-to poses/prompts that make my clients feel like a BOSS in front of the camera. Download this PDF to your phone and never worry about posing during your session again.
What’s Included:
Downloadable PDF
Not a physical product
Printable
50 poses/prompts created by Always Flourishing Photography
Photo references for each pose
***because these are digital products, there are no refunds or returns after purchase. reproduction and/or redistribution of this product in any way, shape, or form is strictly prohibited.
No need to stress during your next session with posing, I got you! In this posing guide, you will find 50 of my go-to poses/prompts that make my clients feel like a BOSS in front of the camera. Download this PDF to your phone and never worry about posing during your session again.
What’s Included:
Downloadable PDF
Not a physical product
Printable
50 poses/prompts created by Always Flourishing Photography
Photo references for each pose
***because these are digital products, there are no refunds or returns after purchase. reproduction and/or redistribution of this product in any way, shape, or form is strictly prohibited.
No need to stress during your next session with posing, I got you! In this posing guide, you will find 50 of my go-to poses/prompts that make my clients feel like a BOSS in front of the camera. Download this PDF to your phone and never worry about posing during your session again.
What’s Included:
Downloadable PDF
Not a physical product
Printable
50 poses/prompts created by Always Flourishing Photography
Photo references for each pose
***because these are digital products, there are no refunds or returns after purchase. reproduction and/or redistribution of this product in any way, shape, or form is strictly prohibited.
