Hannah is the founder of EQBM, a graphic design studio located in Peoria Heights, Illinois. From our first consultation, I knew that this session was going to be incredibly unique and so special. EQBM’s gothic minimalism branding session was born out of her love of all things spooky, which allowed us to lean into the unconventional and explore out of the ordinary locations.
+ Location #1: Hannah’s Office
We began the session in Hannah’s office space, which is located in her historic home. The dark woodwork, abundance of plants, and her bookshelf filled to the brim with her matching Agatha Christie books, leaned into an almost dark academia vibe that fit her style perfectly.
Shooting in a client’s home or their space is so special as you truly get a glimpse into who they are and what their day-to-day looks like. This doesn’t work for everyone, as sometimes the space that you’re in doesn’t reflect your current style or your business aspirations. In those cases, I love to explore rental locations such as studio spaces or home rentals to help you achieve the exact look and feel that you are looking for. Sometimes if you can embody that feeling and visualize those goals of where you want to be, what you want your space to look like, or what the dream version of you would be doing, it can be the forward momentum you need to get there.
At first, Hannah was a bit apprehensive about shooting in her office, as she had some of these same concerns. So, in our planning and location scouting, I had Hannah send me photos from different angles of the space to see if it would work or if a different location would be more fitting. I instantly loved the historic feeling of her home and since this was not our primary location, it would work for the few shots that we needed behind a desk or in the office setting.
+ The Weather
Before we hop into location #2, let’s chat weather. So, the forecast leading up to this session was looking pretty good; partly sunny, mild for Illinois in March, and not too windy. I always try my best not to have to reschedule a session as I know how valuable our time is as entrepreneurs and finding an alternative date can be tricky. So, 24 hours before the session, we evaluate the weather and make the final call.
Since we had one primary location that was outdoors, having decent weather was important. The night before, the weather was calling for rain in the morning, however, it was going to taper off throughout the day. With a less that 30% chance, we decided to move forward.
Let me just say, Hannah was such a trooper, and actually loved the rain, which I was eternally grateful for! Despite the forecast, it did in fact end up drizzling for most of the day, becoming steadier while we were at our second location. In the end, we both agreed, that it added to the vibes and that you really couldn’t have a gothic, spooky, moody branding session without the iconic drizzly, grey day.
+ Location #2: The Cemetery
I must admit, I was not aware before this session that shooting in a cemetery was a location option. However, this was a space that Hannah had really loved and had inspired most of her inspiration photos, so it was one we made sure to add to the list.
When shooting at this type of location, respect and mindfulness are top priorities. It was of the utmost importance that we were intentional about the places that we chose to shoot and that we had locations in mind that were unobtrusive and thoughtful.
We started at this incredible, and incredibly old, wrought iron bridge that gave us all the spooky, fall vibes in the middle of March. We played around with movement here and also were able to capture the most stunning headshots.
From there, we moved on to a beautiful, grassy field, which was the primary inspiration for this location. The rain had really started to pick up at this point, but we definitely made the most of the space. Hannah had the most incredible leather coat and boots, which were so her, and added the perfect gothic touch to the softer elements of nature. Another subtle nod to balance and the perfect fit for her gothic minimalism branding session.
+ Location #3: The Black Wall
In some of Hannah’s Instagram photos, she had taken portraits in front of a solid black wall, and I loved the contrast. I had the vision of an all-black outfit with a bright lip and was absolutely thrilled when Hannah was on board and that we had access to this location.
Here we really leaned into the graphic design props that she had gathered to create stunning portraits, flat lay designs, and detail shots all focusing on showing balance in different ways.
+ They’re so much more than photos
At Daisy + Coe, we know that they’re so much more than photos. They’re milestones, they’re memories, they’re a path to connection and your dream clients. Strategic brand imagery can take your business to the next level and build trust with your audience, which is invaluable.
I’ve already loved seeing Hannah’s images in action on her website! Let’s dive into how she’s using the images from her gothic minimalism branding session to strategically uplevel her brand:
The Email List
This image has got MY attention! Having eye-catching imagery makes your audience stop in their tracks and think, “Woah! I need to be a part of that.” Not only does it fit Hannah’s gothic minimalism style perfectly, but it also communicates balance, creativity, and trendiness. Instantly, Hannah’s email list feels professional, put-together, and like a list you NEED to be a part of.
Meet Your Designer
Ooooh, this looks professional, edgy, and cooooool. These images draw you in and tell a story before you even inquire. Your “About Me” section should feel like you while communicating to your audience who you are and how you can provide them value. Hannah is showcasing her design skill, her style, and also her stunning business cards that would make anyone ask, “Where did you get those?”. These photos encourage her audience to want to know more and provide a sense of believability to back up her copy.
The Call to Action
Balance, time passing, urgency. Quick! Let’s make it happen!! This image conveys all of those elements while also seamlessly backing up her copy. And that is not by accident! Pre-planning is a huge part of my process and allows us to take a deep dive into each and every one of your marketing channels so that we can have that “perfect” image in your gallery.
Whether you need a specific blog post cover, an image for a new product you launched, or an image that goes along with a section of copy on your website, we will collaborate to create a shot list that encompasses them all.
Are you ready to create your dream gallery? Learn more about the Daisy + Coe experience and inquire about your photo session today.
+ Connect with Hannah at EQBM
You can connect with Hannah through her website or Instagram. Her designs are stunning and she is an absolute joy to work with! You may also find additional photos from her gothic minimalism branding session 😉
+ COMMENTS
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