When you want a beautiful haircut, you go to the salon.
When you want high quality and stunning pictures, you hire a photographer.
When you want to build a home, you hire a contractor.
When you want a professional looking brand, you hire a professional designer.
Trust me on this one, I’ve done the DIY thing and it’s just not the same. When I started Kylee Ann Photography, I changed my logo every month with free fonts and bird/flower clip art. It was not pretty, and mostly it was not professional. My brand looked cheap before someone even saw a photo. Let me tell you the who, what, when, where and why of re-branding your photography business with a professional designer.
What is a Brand? and WHY?
Most photographers think your brand is just a fancy logo. I thought this in the beginning also. I was completely wrong. A brand starts in your heart. It’s the story and vision for your business. It’s what you want people to say about you and your business when they refer you to their friend. Its your why, your what and your how. Your mission. The design elements on your blog, your logo, fonts and colors are meant to contribute to your brand.
I had a brand from the beginning, but without a professional designer, my website and logo were taking away from what I wanted people to see. My website was filled with professional, quality photos with a romantic, kind touch but my logo screamed CHEAP, run: Not willing to invest in a professional.
When I finally started investing in my brand, the results were magic.
When do you rebrand?
Now! If you are reading this post, you’re ready. Whether you started a year ago or have been in it for ten years, your company has a brand. The question is can people see it? Does your vision match whats floating around online? Is the story in your heart the same story on your website? Do your friends refer you because “she’s so cheap” or because “her photos tell stories”, “the light is magical” and “she is so professional.”
YOU are in charge of what people see and say about your business. Without a clear brand, mission and vision for your business, they will say whatever they want to say. As your story changes, your brand will change. Be in control of it.
Where do you go to match your vision with your brand?
My go-to girl is PACE MADE. Not only because she is my twin sister, but because her hand drawn logos and water color are incredible. Her turnaround time is as quick as mine. She takes your vision and makes it beyond what you could have ever dreamed of. All I did was send her inspiration from some photos new and old and she created an entire style for me — color palette, font guide and multiple logos.
Things you will say after going to Pace Made Designs:
My brand is professional.
My logo matches my pictures.
When I pass out my business cards, I feel proud.
I have a website that doesn’t look DIY.
I love my brand.
Kylee started Kylee Ann Photography 9 years ago, and has since grown from a one woman amateur show to a full associate team. We shoot 50-75 weddings a year, and thrive on kindness and service. After a year of teaching Intro to Photography at the local technical college, she discovered that helping other entrepreneurs create thriving businesses is what fires her up! She hosts semi-annual Kylee Ann Sleepovers all over the US, speak at conferences and teach online courses about running a small business and marketing.
March 30, 2017
Kylee Maughan
