Zooming In: Brand Photography That Makes an Impact

When we talk about the value of brand photography, it’s more than maintaining an eye-catching Instagram profile or website. Rather, photography is an opportunity to exude your brand’s values and ground your visual aesthetic in the real-world experience of your services or products. For us, much of this inspiration comes from our editorial work, where the focus is on storytelling rather than selling. We find that this more authentic vision for a brand photo library also helps to create evergreen assets that stand the test of time.

Of course, there are countless different aesthetics that your brand might choose to lean into. That’s why we begin all our photo projects with the exploration of mood boards to establish a clear direction. There are also practical concerns, such as where these photos will predominantly be used and if they need to fit specific formats. We make sure to nail down all of these details before the day of the shoot, ensuring that we step onto the set with shared expectations and a common goal. 

Below are a few examples of recent brand photography projects in a variety of styles and locations. If any of these inspire you—or you have more questions about the process—we’d love to hear from you!

1 —

Raw Creative | After working with this Denver-based fabrication shop on a number of copywriting projects, we had an opportunity to capture their talented team in the shop. From wood to concrete, metal to digital fabrication, the intricate work of the Raw team offered endless opportunities for dynamic, action-driven content. Yet it was also important to the client that we highlight the human-driven aspect of craftsmanship and the unique capabilities presented by this skilled work.

2 —

Pastificio Boulder | For smaller brands that are in a period of strategic growth, we often partner on mini brand shoots (~2 hours) that capture 15-20 core images. In the case of this award-winning heirloom wheat pasta brand, our focus was on the quality of their ingredients (and resulting products), the sustainability of their overall ethos and the small, human-scale of their artisanal operations in Boulder.

3 —

The Source Hotel | When the world throws your business a curveball (hello, coronavirus!), a bold comeback campaign never hurts. In the case of The Source Hotel, a trendy destination in Denver’s RiNo Art District, the goal of this shoot was to convey all of the colorful, delicious, entertaining and relaxing activities you can enjoy onsite at the hotel and its adjacent market hall.

4 —

The L Cocktail Bar | After earning their stripes at some of Denver and New York City’s finest cocktail destinations, the founders of The L were looking to provide a new kind of mixology: bar-setting drinks in a laid-back, neighborhood atmosphere. With the primary goal of highlighting the glamour of each stunning cocktail, we opted for moodier lighting and high-contrast light and shadow that emphasized the colorful presentation of each drink.

5 —

Choice Market | When this “high end bodega” brand opened a new location on Colfax, their goal was to capture the attention of young, active Denver locals and families who frequently stock up on snacks en route to the mountains. In collaboration with creative partners at Sett Studio, we executed a multi-location shoot that felt both approachable and a little bit edgy, capturing both the sharper, modern vibe of Denver’s rapidly evolving downtown, as well as the everpresent beauty of the nearby foothills.