Branding Photos for Talented Romance Author & Web Designer in Charlotte | NC Brand Photographer
- Ginny Williams
- Jun 21
- 6 min read
Updated: Jun 26
I am super excited to share the recent branding photos I did for the incredibly talented Stacey, a romance author and web designer. She is the owner and CEO of SwoonWorthy Designs.
Meeting Stacey was a delightful experience; we connected on Instagram Threads, and she drove all the way from Greensboro to collaborate with me. Right from the beginning, I knew we we going to create incredible photos for her that would elevate her business to the next level.
Branding Photos for Talented Romance Author & Web Designer in Charlotte
Stacey is no ordinary romance author. With 14 published novels under her belt, she showcases incredible creativity and a deep passion for storytelling.
Moreover, she serves as an experienced web designer for other romance authors, demonstrating her wide range of skills.
Web designers are crucial in the branding and marketing efforts of small businesses. Excellent website design and content are essential for all brands and businesses to stand out, especially in 2025.
I really enjoy connecting and working with other professionals in the branding industry. Getting to know Stacey better revealed not only her intelligence and creativity but also her genuine personality—qualities that shine through in her writing and online presence. She is such a sweet person and I loved working with her on this brand photography project.
Connecting on a Brand Photography Discovery Call
It all started with a connection and a quick 15 minute discovery phone call. I know a lot of business owners hate doing discovery calls (I didn't like them at first either, mainly because I didn't know how to structure them effectively) but I love doing them now. It's an important opportunity to meet and establish whether or not we are the right fit.
We chatted about her marketing pain-points, photoshoot goals, and the vision for her small business. I always ask my clients if they've ever had a brand shoot in the past, and if they have, what did the like or not like about it. Stacey had never had a branding photoshoot before, but she did have some basic author headshots taken years ago, which she hated.
She was looking for a photographer that would hold her hand along the way, give tips and advice, and help her step out of her comfort zone and show up authentically. She wanted beautiful photos that she LOVED and felt confident sharing on her website and social media platforms.
I knew I was the ideal brand photographer for her. She booked her brand shoot on the discovery call and we immediately began planning her upcoming session.
The Planning Process: The Brand Questionnaire + Zoom Planning Call
After the discovery call, we scheduled the shoot date and I sent my brand questionnaire and directions on how to complete her Pinterest inspiration board.
This comprehensive 20-question questionnaire is provided to all my personal branding clients once they book. Some of the questions include: What are 3-5 adjectives that best describe your brand?, What brand stories/themes do you want to share?, What props are you considering?, Are you interested in hair/makeup for your session?, Where do you see your business in 5 years?, Where will your brand photos be used?, On a scale of 1-10 how confident do you feel on camera?, among many others.
This tool is incredibly useful for me as it offers deeper insight into my clients' businesses and brand, helping identify areas where they might need additional support. It also helps my clients to get even more clarity on their vision for the shoot. It often sparks creative ideas that might not otherwise have been considered.
I take my time and study the questionnaire and Pinterest board before our zoom call meeting so I come prepared and ready to plan.
A few weeks after we set the shoot date, we had our 30 minute zoom call where we picked out the shoot location, nailed down outfit choices, identified key props, discussed hair and makeup services, and talked about how the shoot would flow.
I like to prepare my clients as much as possible so that when we get to the shoot day, it's smooth sailing. I want it to be fun and easy!
Professional Makeup to Kick Off the Brand Photoshoot Experience
Photoshoot day started with Stacey getting her makeup done on location with our talented makeup artist, Molly. She's amazing!
I HIGHLY recommend hair and makeup done before any photoshoot, but especially a branding session, as it transforms the client experience by reducing stress and enhancing confidence. Often clients come with their hair done at home but want a professional to do the makeup part. Molly includes lashes with her services so it's just another added bonus of hiring a makeup artist.
Professional makeup artists are trained on how to do on-camera makeup looks so that it shows up gorgeous in photos. Molly worked wonders, ensuring that Stacey’s makeup looked stunning on camera while retaining a beautiful natural look.
Booking the Perfect Charlotte Location for A Romance Author & Web Designer Brand Session
For the photoshoot location, we found a beautiful indoor space in Plaza Midwood (near Uptown Charlotte) through PeerSpace.com.
This space featured a modern cozy living room with white chairs and a dark navy couch, making it an ideal backdrop for Stacey's photos. It was a perfect aesthetic.
The dining area was lovely and filled with natural light, which we took full advantage of, thanks to the large windows overlooking lush greenery. Each corner provided a unique vibe, encouraging creativity in our shots.
It was rainy and dark outside that day so I knew I needed to bring some additional lighting for the session. I brought my off camera lighting and stands to help bring warmth and illumination into the photos. As an experienced photographer, I was prepared for any scenario.
We focused on capturing Stacey in her element—working on her computer, engaging with her books (ones she has authored and other books of authors who she has helped design website for), and showcasing her warm personality. Including lifestyle shots of her impressive collection of romance novels really added depth. A playful cat theme and colorful graphic tees further highlighted her brand stories, creating images that genuinely represented who she is.
Stacey wanted her photos to radiate warmth and invitation, reflecting her personality and writing style. We incorporated her brand colors—purple, blush pink, and white—throughout the shoot via her clothing, props, and accessories. This alignment created a cohesive visual story that resonates with her audience.
Essential Props For Next Level Photos
For Stacey's photo shoot, we incorporated a variety of props to enhance the lifestyle imagery and bring her brand to life. These props included:
Laptop
Notebook and pen
Graphic tees
Cat sculpture
Funny cat mug
Books, including some authored by Stacey and other books written by her Web Design clients
Capturing Reels for Personal Branding
When I wasn't shooting, I was busy capturing reels for her business. Reels are small phone videos shot in vertical format, designed for use on social media and websites. This is an optional add on service we offer our branding clients to give them extra content to use for their marketing.
Video has become an incredibly powerful tool in today's digital landscape. It allows businesses to connect with their audience in a dynamic and engaging way, enhancing their online presence and driving engagement.
Learn more about adding reels to your brand shoot by clicking here.
An Amazing Client Experience
When Stacey got her final gallery back, she was in LOVE with her photos! All the hard work we did paid off. This is her response to seeing her gallery:
"I LOVE LOVE LOVE these so much! I couldn't decide which ones I liked the best, so I just got them all! Thank you so much for the work you did because normally I hate every single photo of myself and now I'm struggling trying to decide what to use and where! I will recommend you to everyone I know within driving distance to Charlotte! :)"
Working with Stacey was a truly inspiring experience. It is wonderful to see how a thoughtfully planned photoshoot can significantly enhance someone’s self-confidence and professional brand. As a personal branding photographer, I strive to help clients tell their stories through images, and I believe this session achieved just that.
If you are a creative professional looking for a beautiful way to express your brand and personal journey, consider investing in your own brand photoshoot. It can boost your connection with your audience and enhance your confidence, just as it did for Stacey.
When it comes to showcasing your talents, don't hold back! Whether you’re in Charlotte or anywhere else, a memorable brand photoshoot can open doors and help you establish your presence as a creator in a crowded digital space.
Book Your Personal Branding Author Photoshoot TODAY!
Are you a small business owner or creative entrepreneur in the Charlotte, North Carolina region looking to boost your online presence with dynamic images that perfectly showcase your business? I would love to connect and explore how we can work together on your project.
Let's chat! Inquire here or send a message directly to: info@williamsphotography.co and I will get back to you within a few hours!
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