Howdy. I’m Love’s Apprentice, photographer and brand strategist. With consumers doing more and more business online, the competition is stiffer now more than ever if you want to stand out in this crowd. Image is everything! I help you develop the image and strategy to really engage the people you want to do business with. I’ve grown to enjoy sharing my experiences and resources I’ve gathered, hence the blog as well as amazing resources like
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Photography FAQs
Welcome to the FAQs section! Got questions before your photo session? I’ve got answers! Find info on bookings, payments, and more. Skip the wait and get prepped for your shoot hassle-free!
Your Questions, Answered
Booking & Payments
How do I book a session?
A 50% deposit is required to secure your session date and time. The remaining balance is due upon delivery of your gallery.
What’s the deposit for?
The deposit reserves your spot in my calendar and is applied toward your total session cost. Deposits account for the time I set aside exclusively for you.
Do you charge a rush fee for last-minute bookings?
Yes! Sessions booked with less than 72 hours’ notice incur a 25% rush fee to prioritize your project in my schedule.
What payment methods do you accept?
All major credit cards, PayPal, and Venmo.
Session Details
Where do sessions take place?
I specialize in on-location photography! Sessions within 10 miles of 78753 are included in your package. For studio sessions, I partner with local studios to provide a professional backdrop. Studio rental fees start at $75/hour and will be added to your total cost.
What if I need to reschedule?
Life happens! You can reschedule once at no cost with 48 hours’ notice. Reschedules with less than 48 hours’ notice or no-shows forfeit the deposit.
What if the weather is bad?
If it’s raining cats and dogs (or hailing armadillos), we’ll reschedule at no extra charge!
Can I bring outfit changes?
Absolutely! Check your package details for the number of outfit changes included.
Deliverables
When will I get my photos?
Your gallery will be delivered within 3 weeks of your session. Need it faster? Rush editing (7-day turnaround) is available for 30% of your session fee.
Do I get to pick my favorite photos?
My curated approach ensures you receive the highest quality images that reflect my artistic vision. However:
The Curio Collection: Receive 5 fully edited images selected by me.
The Relic Select: Include a proofing gallery where you choose [X] images to edit from a selection of [X] previews.
The Folio Plus: Include a proofing gallery where you choose from 25 images to edit from a selection of no less than 100 previews.
Why don’t you give clients all the photos or RAW files?
RAW files are like unprocessed film negatives—they require professional editing tools and expertise. To protect my artistic integrity and your experience, I deliver only polished, gallery-ready JPEGs.
Can I buy extra photos after the session?
Yes! Additional edited images are available for $50/image.
Studio Sessions
Do you have a studio?
I work with local studios to provide flexible, professional spaces tailored to your needs. Studio rental fees vary and will be quoted upfront.
What’s included in a studio session?
Studio rental time (1–2 hours)
Professional lighting and backdrops
Your choice of edited images per your package
Video Services
Do you offer video?
Yes! I specialize in short-form video storytelling perfect for social media, events, or brand campaigns. Video packages start at $350 for a 1-minute highlight reel.
What’s the turnaround time for video?
Video deliverables are completed within 10 business days. Rush editing is available for 40% of your package fee.
Policies
What’s your cancellation policy?
Deposits are non-refundable. Cancellations with less than 48 hours’ notice forfeit the deposit.
What if I’m late to my session?
Sessions start and end at the scheduled time. Late arrivals will not receive extended shooting time.
Do you work with nonprofits?
Yes! I offer custom nonprofit packages to balance budget needs with fair compensation for my work.
Need something not listed here?
Contact me – I’m happy to customize a package just for you!
Artwork
Central Texas Photographer Franco Washington, A.K.A. Love’s Apprentice, is also a painter know for his colorful interpretations of queer figures and life-like portraits. His subjects are wide-ranging and have included accomplished individuals in community activism, academia, and black- queer pop culture. Love’s Apprentice is also known for including African Inspired patterns and color stories to depict the cultural origins and to express the cultural pride of his subjects.
Recently, Love’s Apprentice portrait work has recently become more personal, merging new figures with revisited themes and emotions captured in his early works. With increasing demand for commissioned works, Love’s Apprentice is reimaging the beauty of those who want to be captured by his brush, turning an otherwise ordinary photo into an artistic manifestation. In 2023, Love’s Apprentice has exhibited works in the stage productions Patches and Joy, by the Mahogany Project and was commissioned to paint the first portrait of Priscilla Hale to be exhibited in the Pricilla Hale Art Center for Allgo in Austin, TX.
Love’s Apprentice is going back to the basics and incorporating the same clouds, textures, shapes, and emotions of his earlier work to symbolize the connection between the past and the present which works to reveal certain truths masked by time, change and conformity. Embellishing his works with floating shapes surrounding figures of people, Love’s Apprentice developed his own visual vernacular to explore themes of nostalgia, status, pride, opportunity, strength, vulnerability, and power.
When looking back on the stylistic and conceptual approach of Love’s Apprentice’s body of work, it is going to be exciting to see where his work will evolve to. His vibrant paintings has trended darker and darker offering more contrast to the images he creates. He still often portrays queer influencers, past and present. He surrounds himself with the colors and emotional vibrance that fill his paintings. The walls of Love’s Apprentice Taylor, Texas based studio are covered with colorful, patterned artwork he’s painted throughout the years, many of which are just for his personal musings.
Love’s Apprentice’s portraiture is always a visual reminder of the importance of seeing examples to aspire to. Having grown up in a culture with a narrowly defined ideal of masculinity, love, and success, Love’s Apprentice’s works rebuild what it actually means to be a seen. His portraits wholly convey the hope for those it reaches to be utterly themselves in spite of who they believed they were.
Commissions q&A
Am I currently accepting commissions?
Yes, I accept a limited number of commissions annually. Securing your spot in the queue 3-4 months prior to your desired delivery date is advised. Please submit an inquiry here.
What are your price ranges for commissions?
All commissioned works include a sketch fee (deposit) of 25% of total artwork cost. Commissions vary in price based on the medium, scale, and subject matter. I'd be happy to draft an estimate for you. Please submit an inquiry and I will follow up with an overview of the process and initial details I’ll need to provide a price range for your project. On average, the cost for commissioned artwork by Love’s Apprentice is $1.25 per square inch.
How do commissions work?
Most commissions begin with a simple description of your commission vision. The following
details help expedite my reply:
- (1) An example of the mood, vibe, feeling of the artwork you’d like commissioned
- (2) Your desired artwork size (roughly), orientation, and medium (canvas, wood, metal, oil, acrylic, etc..)
- (3) Your target receive-by date. I’’l then reply with an overview of the process and next available kick-off dates.
Once we arrive at a general direction, size, and budget, I’ll use your sketch fee to create a mockup of your desired image. Upon acceptance of your sketch, we’ll lock-in a spot (expected completion date) in my commission queue.
What can I expect when I order a commission?
The timeline for a typical commission is as follows:
Basic details confirmed & next available kick-off established.
Sketch fee paid.
2-3 weeks following sketch fee payment, you will receive a mockup of desired image via email.
Once mockup is accepted, spot in commission queue is secured. I will also send your estimated project delivery date at this time.
I begin preparing for your piece, building the background and sourcing materials.
At project kick-off, I get to work on your piece.
I’ll send progress updates and requests for feedback along the way.
A final photo will be sent for approval prior to pickup/delivery.
Do I get to offer feedback during the process?
Absolutely. Feedback is encouraged throughout the process, but most importantly (1) in the planning stages when sending details about your desired completed artwork; and (2) when you receive the mock-up for review.
What kind of information do you need from me to make my commissioned artwork?
You are part of the process! I encourage you to gather and send materials for reference in the creation of your commission such as inspiration images, favorite past works, design boards, interior color schemes, personalized touches, etc. Photos of the room where the artwork will hang + detailed wall/furniture dimensions are also useful.
Can I return a commissioned artwork?
Unfortunately, I do not provide refunds for commissioned artworks, but if unsatisfied with you piece, you may return it to Love’s Apprentice at no cost to you.
Session Details
Love’s Apprentice creates stunning visuals for creatives, brands, professionals, organizations, and really cool people looking for dynamic lifestyle images combined with a stellar experience.
Love’s Apprentice creates stunning visuals for creatives, brands, professionals, organizations, and really cool people looking for dynamic lifestyle images combined with a stellar experience.
BTS: A Day in the life of a Marketing Director
WATCH & LISTEN
Follow me as I take you behind the scenes to explore
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A MARKETING DIRECTOR.
The Get Down: Brand Strategy Explained
Branding is one of the most important aspects of any business, large or small, retail or B2B. Yet it is also one of the most misunderstood. Branding is sometimes considered to be merely an advertising function, but it is so much more than that. What trends can your brand leverage to modernize + monetize in 2020? Discover how to create and manage a brand that helps your business become known, loved, and preferred in this brand strategy break-down we call "The Get Down."
Brand Strategy: What you need to know in 2019
Branding is one of the most important aspects of any business, large or small, retail or B2B. Yet it is also one of the most misunderstood. Branding is sometimes considered to be merely an advertising function, but it is so much more than that. What trends can your brand leverage to modernize + monetize in 2020? Discover how to create and manage a brand that helps your business become known, loved, and preferred in this brand strategy break-down we call "The Get Down."
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What's in the Mirror: A Night of Love
I had such an amazing time photographing What’s in the Mirror’s A Night of Love! Here are the photos and highlights from the evening. Download, share, and enjoy!
I had such an amazing time photographing What’s in the Mirror’s A Night of Love! Here are the photos and highlights from the evening. Download, share, and enjoy!
IF YOU aRE BLOWN AWAY BY THE PICTURES YOU SEE HERE, FEEL FREE TO LEAVE ME A DONATION!
NLC Austin's Headshots and Happy Hour
Here’s a preview of the final gallery from NLC Austin’s Headshots and Happy Hour. Check back on Thursday when I reveal the final gallery, but until then, download, share, and enjoy!
I had such an amazing time photographing NLC Austin’s Prospective 2020 Fellows! Here are the headshots and highlights from the evening. Download, share, and enjoy!
One of my favorite things is hearing the feedback from the people I photograph. Chime in here and let me know what you thought about our experience together.
If you were blown away by the work you received, feel free to leave me a donation!
Resources for Creatives in Austin
If you’re a creative in Austin, bookmark this blog. It’s filled with tons of resources that creative people can use to sustain and grow their businesses. If you have any resources to add to the list, sound off in the comment section.
If you’re a creative in Austin, bookmark this blog. It’s filled with tons of resources that creative people can use to sustain and grow their businesses. If you have any resources to add to the list, sound off in the comment section.
Business Resources for Austin Creatives
Compiled by Love’s Apprentice
City of Austin Resources
The Cultural Arts Division of the Economic Development Department provides leadership and management for the City's Cultural arts program and for the economic development of arts and cultural industries
Capital Investment & Cultural Training
The Alliance of Artists Communities is an international association of artists' residencies - a diverse field of more than 1,500 programs worldwide that support artists of any discipline in the development of new creative work
Art in Public Places Program commissions artworks, ranging from murals and sculptures to functional architectural elements, for new and remodeled public facilities.
Arts Commission advises city council in all arts-related matters
Artist in Residence Program embeds artists within City departments to develop imaginative approaches for community engagement and creative expression
Austin Emerging Arts Leaders is a chapter of Americans for the Arts Emerging Leaders Network for early-career arts professionals looking for networking and professional development opportunitie
Emerging Teaching Artists Program is a s job training program that introduces practicing artists to the art of teaching
LaunchPAD Program pairs established public artists with visual artists moving into the field of public art to gain expertise while providing services benefitting a public art project for the City
Music Commission advises city council on music development issues
TEMPO allows artists to propose and create temporary public artworks in a range of themes suitable for the outdoor environment
Women in Jazz Association, Inc. provides Concert Series and Vocal Performance Workshops for performance opportunities and experiences of local professional and amateur jazz vocalists.
Creative Industry Programs
Business Expansion Incentive Program provides up to 3% wages reimbursement per job / per year (max $1,800) and up to 50% property tax reimbursement
Creative Content Initiative Program offers incentives to qualifying film, television, video game, & visual effects projects equal to 0.50% of wages paid to local workers. Projects produced by an Austin-based company or which significantly promote Austin may be eligible for an additional 0.25% incentive for a total incentive of 0.75%.
The Media Production and Development Zone 2 year sales/use tax exemption on a media production facility
Austin's UNESCO designation as City of Media Arts strengthens opportunities for development with UNESCO network
Cultural Funding Programs
Art Space Assistance Program grants to support non-profits facing permanent displacement
Art in Sacred Places Program spaces to work, rehearse, and perform in unused sacred spaces
Capacity Building Program provides funding for individual artists and arts organizations with a budget less than $200,000 to provide professional development opportunities (i.e. conferences, workshops, classes, and memberships) to enhance and strengthen the infrastructure and workforce of Austin’s creative sector
Community Initiatives Program offers funding to support the marketing, production, and presentation of public performances and exhibitions by nonprofits arts and culture organizations, as well as qualifying individual artists and organizations
Core Funding Program offers organizational and project support to local 501c3 arts and culture organizations, as well as qualifying individual artists and organizations
Cultural Expansion Program $ for marketing of arts organizations serving underserved audiences
Cultural Heritage Festivals Program provides funding to local 501c3 nonprofit organizations, individual artists, and other organizations to strengthen the marketing, production, presentation, and funding of a culturally-specific festival.
Neighborhood Partnering Program provides opportunities for community and neighborhood organizations to affect public improvements by sharing in the costs of those efforts with the City of Austin government. Public improvements could include such things as works of public art, beautification and enhancement projects, community gardens, and more
Public Programs & Outreach
People's Gallery is a free exhibition of the work of Austin-area artists within the City of Austin’s City Hall
Artist Access Program provides access to cultural center space for rehearsals and performances
Art After Six free community arts events
Art Space Assistance Program will provide grants to support non-profits facing permanent displacement, those previously displace, or those facing lease renewals at substantially higher rates amidst a volatile real estate market
Austin's New Year annual free event on Vic Mathias Shores
City of Austin Artwork Donation and Loan Policy community can propose artworks to buy
City of Austin Small Business Program provides business training, educational events, and coaching to empower entrepreneurs
The Dougherty Arts Center regularly displays work by local Austin artists and accepts Exhibit Proposals annually
The DAC Artist Resource Center is a place for emerging and established artists of all mediums to engage and collaborate.
Artist Inc entrepreneurship program
The Hispanic Alliance provides access to high-quality resources, arts education and business mentorship for Austin's underserved populations
The Julia C. Butridge Gallery supports emerging through professional artists by providing exhibition space by application
The Latino Arts Residency Program fosters the development of Austin-area Latino arts organizations and artists in all disciplines in an effort to build and enhance quality, sustainable community arts and cultural programming
Old Bakery and Emporium Art Gallery is a consignment shop featuring a rotating schedule of exhibitions including artworks of all media and subject matter
Six Square is a visionary leader and powerful partner for major projects that preserve, promote, and sustain black arts, history and culture
Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) advances our state economically and culturally by investing in a creative Texas
Other Resources
The Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant program is intended to provide interim financial assistance to qualified artists whose needs are the result of an unforeseen, catastrophic incident, and who lack the resources to meet that situation
ALL ATX is Austin's musician advocate, dedicated to their promotion, success and overall well-being
Art Alliance Austin works collaboratively with artists, museums, independent curators, and galleries to create a diverse and powerful series of programming which highlights Austin as an emerging contemporary arts capital
Asian American Resource Center Community Art Exhibit Program displays artworks that celebrate the diverse and dynamic cultural heritage, history, identity and creativity of Asians and Asian Americans
Austin Creative Alliance advance, connect, advocate for Austin's arts, cultural, creative communities
Austin Emerging Art Leaders chapter of Americans for the Arts Emerging Leaders Network
Austin Federation of Musicians assists local musicians with wages, work conditions, employment
Austin Film Society empowers community to make, watch and love film and creative media
Austin Jazz Alliance helps jazz musicians in Austin and Central Texas promote their music
Austin Music Foundation helps artists navigate opportunities in the music industry
Austin Songwriters Group provides opportunities through workshops, events, annual symposium
Big Medium is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting contemporary art in Texas
Capitol View Arts supports the arts community through arts education, collaborative opportunities, and the preservation of venues for performances and public use
Dart Music International assists global artists obtain work visas, appearances
Faces of Austin is a short film program showcasing works by Austin filmmakers which reflect the many diverse faces, voices and experiences of Austin.
Health Alliance for Austin Musicians provides access to affordable health care for Austin’s low-income working musicians, with a focus on prevention and wellness.
I Respect Music supports a musician's rights to pay for radio airplay
Live Music Tutor online music platform that connects instructors, students, and enthusiasts
Mike Tolleson & Associates free legal clinic Wednesdays
MusiCares covers financial, medical, personal emergencies for music professionals
The Recording Academy Texas Chapter is dedicated to providing educational programming and networking opportunities to artists and industry professionals of all trades throughout the state enriching the music community through outreach and advocacy
SIMS Foundation financial support for mental health and addiction services
Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts provides individualized volunteer legal and accounting services to financially qualified artists and arts nonprofits, hosts educational seminars and clinics, and produces educational materials to increase business knowledge in the arts
The Texas Music Office promotes the development of the music in the state by informing members of that industry and the public about resources available in the state for music for music production, and serves as liaison between the industry and state government
The Writer's League of Texas provides a forum for information, support, and sharing among writers; to help writers improve on their craft and market their skills; to promote the interest of writers and the writing community at large; and to elevate the art and enterprise of writing
TuneCore helps artists sell music online, keep 100% of their rights/sales revenue, collect royalties
State & Federal
Texas Wide Open for Business
Texas Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program
U.S. Small Business Administration
U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)
Other Public and Non-Profit Resources
This nonprofit provides free small business counseling and resources, low cost business workshops and special customized services. Their certified mentors are experienced entrepreneurs, corporate managers, and executives with a diverse set of industries and specialties who volunteer their experience and knowledge to help small business owners and entrepreneurs achieve success.
Texas State Small Business Development Center
The Texas State University SBDC works with existing and startup small businesses to help them grow and compete in today’s global economy. SBDCs are available to provide assistance during every phase of the business life cycle. The improvements that result from their direct support of their client's activities lead to job creation, investments, and economic growth for communities throughout central Texas.
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Skills for Small Business program, offers up to $2 million from the Skills Development Fund for training. Small businesses can apply to TWC for training offered by their local community or technical college, or the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX). The program pays up to $1,450 for each new employee being trained and $725 for existing employees per 12-month period.
TexHealth Central Texas offers innovative health plans specifically designed to help small businesses attract and retain employees by offering them the most affordable benefits coverage to stay healthy and on the job.
Why Your Brand Colors Matter
Colors have the power to impact moods, feelings, and behaviors.
The psychology of color as it pertains to influencing people is one of the most interesting — and most disputed — aspects of branding and marketing.
Learn what matters, and what doesn't, in this intro guide to color psychology.
When It Comes to Branding, It's All About Color
For sighted people, colors are important, Top brands know this. That's why they invest so much money into researching consumer preferences. They understand that the more they understand about their audiences, the greater their ability to develop messaging and branding that actually works to effect the behaviors of the organisms that can perceive them.
In nature, colors started as a means for survival. Some flowers are grown to have vivid colors to attract pollinators, and there are reptiles whose color changes to protect them from predators in their ecosystems. So if on a lower tier, color plays such an important role to smaller organisms and life, you better believe that it has a significant effect on people. Humans respond to color behaviorally, mentally, and emotionally. Although we are still learning all the ways that color effects us chemically, we've learned enough to know how important colors are to inform, persuade, and influence people on a psychological level.
If you're doing your marketing and branding, consider what your colors are saying about you and your brand and if you're still in the building stages and haven't quite got all your marketing collateral worked out, consider your color theory ahead of time so you can really craft messaging that speaks to the audience that you want to bring in.
There are also commonly reported psychological effects of color as it relates to two main categories: warm and cool. Warm colors – such as red, yellow and orange – can spark a variety of emotions ranging from comfort and warmth to hostility and anger while cooler colors like purple, green, and blue can often spark feelings from calmness to sadness.
Let's dig into a few of the most popular colors to see what how they're being perceived. The following are some common reactions to colors here in the U.S. You can also review a more comprehensive list of color meanings and symbolism on this chart created for download or embed on your site.
Just remember, certain shades or tones may result in very different meanings. Also, the context around the color, and even surrounding colors, can have an effect. Think of this as a more "beginner's look" into color psychology:
RED - Red is the color of passion. It can also be the color of aggression. It is attention grabbing. Interestingly enough, red is appetite stimulating. A lot of fast food restaurants use red because it stimulates your digestion.
GREY - Grey is sort of like the opposite of red. It is a very neutral color. It is a little bit more passive. Speakers might wear grey because they want you to concentrate on what they're saying and not so much what they are wearing.
BLUE - Blue is the color of the sky and the ocean. It's loyal, dependable, honest, trustworthy, and very wise. When you wear blue, it's a great color to show that you are an expert, that you are calm, that you know what you're doing and that you're very loyal and dependable. There have been many really fascinating studies done, one of which had workers work in an all white office and workers working in an all blue office. The workers in the all blue office had 20% less errors, so blue can make you feel more wise, or feel more productive, so it would be a great color to have around you where you work.
PURPLE - Purple is the color of royalty. It's the color of luxury, so if you want someone to thing your gift is expensive, wrap it in purple wrapping paper! LOL! But seriously, there’s a reason why purple doesn't appear in nature very much. That’s why purple dye is so expensive. We attribute the color to being expensive and unique.
ORANGE - Success and high energy. Orange is a great color to wear to the gym. Look around at your next sporting event and see how much orange you find.
BRAND STRATEGY 101 AND WHY YOU NEED ONE (FOR CREATIVES & ENTREPRENEURS)
Bringing your brand to life is not about how it looks; it’s about how it makes others feel. It’s all about what your customers say and how they feel when you leave the room. That’s why having a great strategy for your brand is so important. Your brand strategy is what cements people’s perceptions of your brand. What might you perceive of a brand with no clear strategy?
Let’s dig a little bit deeper into this whole “branding” thing though.
HOW TO DEVELOP A STRATEGY THAT LEADS TO MEASURABLY POSITIVE RESULTS
Bringing your brand to life is not about how it looks; it’s about how it makes others feel. It’s all about what your customers say and how they feel when you leave the room. That’s why having a great strategy for your brand is so important. Your brand strategy is what cements people’s perceptions of your brand. What might you perceive of a brand with no clear strategy?
Let’s dig a little bit deeper into this whole “branding” thing though.
Branding, according to Entrepreneur.com is “your promise to your customer. It tells them what they can expect from your products and services, and it differentiates your offering from that of your competitors. Your brand is derived from who you are, who you want to be and who people perceive you to be.”
That’s a decent definition, but I’ve cleaned it up a bit. Branding, to me, is actively shaping people’s perceptions about your business. Strategy implies that there is a methodical system that one can implement to attain measurably positive results.
That’s all brand strategy is in the big scheme of things. It’s a system that you implement in your business to shape people’s thoughts about your brand.
Now that we’ve defined Brand Strategy, let’s talk about how we can start to build one for your brand.
I’ve broken it down into a nice little acronym that I hope you remember when you’re developing your brand strategy. Let’s get right into it.
1. C = Customer
Your branding should be geared towards your customer so you have to know who they are. If you’ve got a make-up line, think about the kinds of people you think will be interested in your make-up and direct your messages to them.
2. O = Objective
I believe that knowing from the start what you expect to get out of your branding efforts will help determine whether your branding efforts actually worked. It’s important to start with measurable goals. If your goal is to get 100 new subscribers to your mailing list, your branding efforts should direct your customers to get you to that goal. If you started with 0 followers, then after the release of your new promotional material and a certain amount of time, you should have 100 new subscribers if your branding efforts worked.
3. V = Values
This part needs time for serious self reflection, but being able to convey your values through your marketing and branding is crucial part of signaling customers and clients. Having well conceived core values for your business and brand helps set you apart in the competitive space because your values are unique to you. Your values act as the emotional attitude of your brand.
4. E = Express
As a creative, this is the fun part. Express is communicating those values and beliefs about your brand to your audience. How will your marketing collateral express the vision of your brand? How will your audience receive your messaging? Have you made a branding style guide? Do you need a photoshoot? The sky is the limit, so to narrow things down, refer back to the previous tips and ask yourself if these new creative assets fit your brand, match your values, and support your objective.
5. T = Tweak
As your business grows and your brand evolves, you’ll be able to see the results of your branding and marketing collateral. If you’re not getting the results you need, it’s OK to tweak what you’ve got to create something better.
When I discuss tweaking with my clients, I ask things like…
Is your logo a png?
Is the text written from your point of view?
Are you photos really old?
Does a different motto, slogan, hashtag resonate more significantly with your audience?
These are all critical things to consider when devising your brand strategy.
CAN NOT HAVING A BRAND STRATEGY HURT MY BUSINESS?
It absolutely could. Let’s say that you are an online retailer of custom made goods. You have a beautiful and responsive website, but you’re checkout page is difficult to navigate. If that’s the case, the chances are, you’re not getting the sales you deserve. This is what I call “brand incongruence;” The experience doesn’t match the brand, thus turning off your customers.
By implementing a strategy for your brand to convert interested buyers into returning buyers, this is the type of thing that you can address before it results in financial loss. Sure, you might have been able to save a few coins going with the default checkout theme, but how many customers have you lost in the process.
Being strategic about your branding efforts will allow you the ability to track whether your efforts worked and to recalculate so you can succeed. You’ll have the power to make smarter business decisions because a certain amount of your success has already been pre-determined.
FINAL WORDS
Denzel Washington is quoted as saying “Dreams without goals remain dreams and fuel disappointment.” The same is kinda true for your branding. If you don’t set a goal for your branding, and if you’re not being strategic about accomplishing that goal, then get ready to be disappointed.
Sure, having an awesome name, great brand colors, and beautiful photos taken by Love’s Apprentice are all important and will help make your brand stand out, but if you care about growth, then you need to make sure these resources help to get you there.
If you would like to discuss how to develop a brand strategy for your own business, please get in touch for a low cost brand development session. We’ll get you squared away on all the steps you can take to refine your brand to get the results you want.
Common Ground (Photo Essay)
This photo essay is called “Common Ground: Shot from the Hip” because I wanted to take a neutral perspective which was the lens of my 85mm and explore the common ground that is Downtown Austin, TX. This is my attempt at putting Downtown ATX in a fishbowl. Enjoy!
This photo essay is titled “Common Ground” because I want to draw attention to the “diversity” of Austin and what that really looks like.
Many of these photos were literally taken from the HIP - from my hip which symbolizes me capturing these photos from an even playing field, without judgment, without wanting to make any political statement and to just be lead by the spirit and energy of the day within these few blocks.
Enjoy!
Sights of SXSW 2019
SXSW is an incredible 10-day festival celebrating the latest trends and innovations in film and music and has tons of events and interactive shows which takes place every March in ATX. The conference is attended by media and tech businesses, artists and party-goers who are looking to discover new talent, often for free.
My hubby Sani and I decided to go for a walk and capture some street photography of the busy-ness! Here’s a look at some of the sights we found at this year’s SXSW!
SXSW is an incredible 10-day festival celebrating the latest trends and innovations in film and music and has tons of events and interactive shows which takes place every March in ATX. The conference is attended by media and tech businesses, artists and party-goers who are looking to discover new talent, often for free.
My hubby Sani and I decided to go for a walk and capture some street photography of the busy-ness! Here’s a look at some of the sights we found at this year’s SXSW!
Welcome to the FAQs section! Got questions before your photo session? I’ve got answers! Find info on bookings, payments, and more. Skip the wait and get prepped for your shoot hassle-free!