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 after all) and working with a website designer. She needed the updated visuals to complete her rebrand.

As a content strategist and mentor for women entrepreneurs, her visuals needed to carry the full weight of a new website, social media presence, and digital marketing. The images needed to feel both intentional and human, with a touch of earthly mysticism. They needed to project feminine authority.

Prior to her session, I created a strategic plan that incorporated all the wishes and needs for the rebrand. We connected over a 1:1 strategic phone call where I presented the plan while gathering Katie’s feedback. Together, we refined the plan to become even more aligned to Katie’s personality and goals. That collaboration is crucial for every business brand session.

The collaborative session strategy creates the guide for the session. Multiple brains working together creates a powerful recipe for a visual library. The session strategy is a written document that contains a shot wish list, personalized wardrobe directions, a list of what to have ready. All of it is meant to keep the session focused so that we can create a greater variety within a focused time frame. It also allows the space for the creative spontaneity that always presents itself as we’re creating visuals together.

The session strategy focuses the brand’s energy. In Katie’s case, that meant gathering images that reflected a range of cozy, elevated, honest, empowered, and unapologetically feminine. Her brand palette of deep greens, pink, and gold was woven throughout, from the props she gathered to the spaces we chose to work in.

Our shot list included everything from a more formal and posed portrait to images in the office, and layered detail shots — tarot cards, a green leather bound journal, books, and her Waterford crystal with her go-to drink combo, Bloom and LaCroix. We moved through four outfit changes, shifting from polished to more casual as the session unfolded. We also carved out time for a creative composite image — a nod to the focused-yet-sometimes-chaotic reality of running a business.

Katie walked away with a cohesive visual library that included both stills and motion assets. They were built to work across every corner of her brand — hero shots for the website, personality-forward portraits for social, and detail images to add texture and story to her content.

This was never going to be a generic headshot session. It was a strategic creative collaboration designed around exactly where Katie’s headed next.

Below are just a few photos from her session. To see how Katie used them, go check out her website. (And if you are a female business owner, I highly recommend tapping into Katie’s expertise!)