At FOTO, we are committed to helping our fellow creatives flourish. In our Q&A style blog series, Coffee with Creatives, we are highlighting the unique expertise of some of our favorite professionals, sharing tips and information on relevant topics to bring you some practical insight and inspiration for the important work you do.
Today, we are talking with professional lifestyle brand photographer, Christina Jones, to discuss her passion and gather tips on how to beautifully capture brands' missions and personalities!
First things first, how do you take your coffee?
Christina: I love iced coffee! Hazelnut or caramel flavor, almond milk and a lot of brown sugar : )
Tell us a bit about yourself & your photography business.
Christina: I'm a Tampa/St. Pete-based natural light brand photographer for female founders who love to inspire others! My passion is to help entrepreneurs who want to launch a new business or rebrand, feel confident and comfortable telling their brand story through lifestyle images.
How do you get into branding photography and why do you enjoy it?
Christina: I started as a mom influencer, snapping photos of my kids and posting them on Instagram. It quickly turned into paid collaborations with major kids clothing and lifestyle brands! I have a marketing background, so I've always enjoyed helping build brands online. I then opened my business locally working with female influencers, and it evolved into female-led businesses. It's so much fun seeing my clients' brands grow as we continue working together! I love to see/hear them get excited to see their vision come to life in the images.
You get to photograph the person behind a passion, product or business...what do you try to capture?
Christina: I try to capture their personality, their personal style and the work they love to do!
How do you bring a fresh approach to each branding shoot you do?
Christina: We have a strategy session beforehand to chat about their goals and overall vision for their brand. I also share a questionnaire with them, where we discover their target market, branding goals and more.
We imagine you've worked with some pretty inspiring clients. What is one of your favorite projects?
Christina: There are so many! I'd have to say shooting top level female executives and entrepreneurs for a local publication which highlights women who are making an impact in Pinellas County. The women were so humble, and we had a great connection!
Can you share two or three quick tips on how photographers can define their own personal brands?
Christina: Figure out who you love to work with and why. Share that in your brand messaging! Talk about how you will add value to your clients, and solve their problem. Share details about yourself that will connect with your dream client, and visually show that. Show up consistently online to build the like, know and trust factor!
How would you describe your personal brand?!
Christina: Calm, joyful, fun and bright!
And lastly, what Fotostrap do you wear?
Christina: Love the Designer strap in pink!
Looking for more inspiration from industry creatives? Check out these other Q&A's:
Coffee with Creatives: Misty Rodda's Tips on Keeping a Fresh Perspective
Coffee with Creatives: Katie Lamb's Tips on Finding that "Mompreneur" Work/Life Balance
Coffee with Creatives: Caroline Jurgensen's Tips on Running a Business with her Spouse
