off the record
The Blog
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How to Choose a Brand Photographer Who Actually Gets You
You can Google “brand photographer Chicago” and get a hundred results in four seconds. Plenty of talented people. Solid portfolios. Professional websites. Reasonable prices. Why does it…
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Confidence Doesn’t Always Stop the Mask From Going Up
Someone walks into a session feeling pretty good. Their hair is styled. They’re dress to the nines. They’re standing tall, smiling, ready. Then I lift the camera…
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I’m Not Just a Vendor. And the Best Work Happens When You Know That.
There’s a version of this job where the photographer just shows up, takes the photos, and disappears. You get your files. I’d get paid. Nobody’s unhappy. The…
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You’re Not Boring – But Your Brand Photos Might Be
I’m bored. I’m seeing the same photos everywhere — same studios, same poses, same “authentic” laptop laughter. So I sat down with my sketchbook, did a free…
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Katie Kastner Content & Marketing ~ A Case Study
When Katie first contacted me, she was already in the middle of a brand evolution. She was writing her content (Katie is a also a talented writer…
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You Don’t Need a New Phone. You Just Need to Learn to See.
Your phone doesn’t take the photos. YOU do. Learn the one skill that will change your photos immediately, no upgrade required.
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Two Quarters: A Tale of Brand Investment
I was maybe six or seven years old when my dad came home after losing his job. I don’t remember most of the details. I remember my…
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6 Easy Fixes to Make Your Brand Look More Professional
Professionalism isn’t about being buttoned-up and boring. It’s about looking like you and being consistent throughout your messaging. Sometimes the smallest things are quietly undermining all the…
