logo and branding

If you are a fellow photographer or a small business owner reading the words “logo and branding” have most likely made you start to tense up. If you are anything like me, updating your logo and branding have been on your “To Do” list for a long time.  Most businesses go thru a re-branding process every couple of years.  It’s kind of like getting new clothes for the beginning of the school year.  A time for updating to something new and fresh.

My branding problems unfortunately started right from the get go.  I was so excited to have my first client and I wanted to get their pictures up on a blog.  Problem was I didn’t have a blog.  So, I hopped over to Blogger and secured the first name that I could think of and that wasn’t already taken.  On my way out of the house that morning my sweet little dog had batted her eyes at me, so I decided to name my new photography business after my dog. MY DOG! Bad idea.  The name created lots of confusion (and lots of jokes from my brother), so fast forward a year later and I am now faced with not only rebranding, but also renaming my business.

Rebranding is not just a new name or an updated logo.  Branding is about how you infuse every detail of your business with your style.  Your logo, website, blog, packaging, contracts should all speak to your style.  Anything and everything that a client sees should have your branding incorporated.  When you buy a pair of Nike running shoes their logo and brand is not just on the shoes its on everything.  The packing, the product, the advertisement, it’s all infused with their brand.  When you buy a Nike product you have a confidence that their product is top notch and worth every penny that you spent.

We, as photographers, should treat our business just the same.  Our clients are certainly paying more for our services and products then they paid for the Nike shoes.  Infuse your business with your branding and deliver exceptional products and service and clients will see the value in choosing you as their photographer.

Although I no longer want a business named after her, she is still the cutest little devil dog around (yes, devil…she ate my couch).