Client Case Study:Julie Geyer Studio
Collab Collective for Julie Geyer Studio
Elevating Interior Design Through Strategic Brand Photography
In the competitive world of interior design, standing out requires more than just beautiful spaces—it demands a cohesive brand presence that captures both expertise and personality. When Julie Geyer of Julie Geyer Studio approached us for brand photography, she had a clear vision: to create a boutique service that balanced luxury with livability.
The Client
Julie Geyer Studio specializes in boutique residential interior design, targeting busy professionals aged 35-55 who value quality, connection, and creativity. With a unique philosophy of "Livable Luxury," Julie's approach emphasizes both beautiful aesthetics and practical functionality in every project.
The Challenge
While Julie had established herself in the interior design space, she needed fresh imagery for her upcoming website redesign that would:
Convey sophistication while maintaining approachability
Showcase her design process and client interaction
Differentiate her brand from competitors
Capture her unique value proposition of functional luxury
Feature both her individual work and collaboration with her design associate
The Strategy
Based on Julie's brand questionnaire and consultation, we developed a photography strategy focused on three key narratives:
Professional Excellence
Capturing Julie in action: styling shelves, reviewing samples, consulting design books
Creating hero shots with negative space for website headers
Incorporating her workspace and design tools
Team Dynamic
Documenting genuine interactions between Julie and her design associate
Showcasing their collaborative process
Capturing candid moments that demonstrate their approachability
Brand Personality
Incorporating key brand adjectives: sophisticated, chic, unique, fun
Using a neutral palette with strategic pops of color
Balancing professional polish with authentic warmth
The Photoshoot Process
Pre-Shoot Planning
Our team worked closely with Julie to plan every detail of the shoot, including:
Location scouting within her design studio to identify optimal lighting and backdrops
Creating a shot list that incorporated both staged and candid moments
Planning wardrobe selections that aligned with her brand's sophisticated yet approachable aesthetic
Coordinating schedules with her design associate Jen for team shots
Discussing specific poses and scenarios that would showcase her design process
Day-of Execution
The photoshoot was structured to capture multiple scenarios and moods:
Professional Portraits
Hero shots with careful attention to negative space for website headers
Variety of expressions from professional to warm and engaging
Multiple angles and compositions for maximum versatility
Process Documentation
Natural moments of Julie reviewing design materials
Collaborative sessions with her design associate
Detail shots of material selections and design tools
Styling vignettes in real time
Team Dynamics
Authentic interactions between Julie and Jen
Casual consultation moments
Shared creative discussions
Natural laughing and connection moments
Technical Considerations
To ensure maximum usability across platforms, we prioritized:
Landscape format hero shots with ample negative space
Mixed background options for versatility
Close-up shots from torso up
Natural, candid expressions
Clean, uncluttered compositions
….and then….the Magic Happens
Here's a little secret about our brand photography sessions: while we're total planning nerds (hello, detailed shot lists!), some of our absolute favorite images come from those "Oh wait - what if we...?" moments of pure creative spark!
Don't get me wrong – we do our homework. Before we even think about picking up a camera, we dive deep into getting to know our clients. We're talking coffee-fueled strategy sessions where we explore everything from their business journey to their biggest dreams for the future. For Julie's session, this meant really getting into the heart of what makes Julie Geyer Studio tick.
But here's where it gets fun.
Picture this: We're in the middle of Julie's shoot at this gorgeous client home with an absolutely stunning open staircase. We're following our carefully planned shot list when someone looks up and goes, "Wait a minute..." That's when the magic started brewing.
You know those moments when an idea hits and everyone just lights up? That's exactly what happened. We had this wild thought – what if we created this amazing overhead shot of Julie surrounded by all the tools of her trade? Not your typical "designer looking at swatches" photo, but something that really captures the beautiful chaos of the creative process.
Julie, being the amazing sport she is, was totally game. Next thing you know, we're artfully arranging (okay, strategically scattering) fabric swatches, design books, and material samples around her at the base of the staircase. The result? Pure gold! It's one of those shots that makes you smile because it just feels so... Julie. Professional but playful, curated but real.
These are the moments we live for in our shoots! Sure, we come armed with our shot lists and plans (we're not completely winging it, promise!), but we're always ready to chase those sparks of inspiration when they hit. Sometimes it's catching the perfect ray of afternoon light streaming through a window, or spotting the ideal prop at just the right moment.
For Julie's session, this mix of planned shots and creative spontaneity gave us pure magic. We got all the polished, professional images her website needed, PLUS these amazing authentic moments that really let her personality shine through. Because at the end of the day, that's what great brand photography is all about – capturing not just what you do, but who you are.
And sometimes that means throwing the shot list aside for a moment and saying, "Hey, what if we tried this..." Because that's often when the real magic happens! 🎨✨Cross-Platform Implementation
The versatile image collection we created has been strategically deployed across multiple platforms to build a cohesive brand presence:
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Instagram (@juliegstudio)
Julie has masterfully integrated her brand photos into her Instagram strategy: [Note: We'll add specific examples of Instagram posts and performance metrics once screenshots are provided]
Mixing professional shots with project photos to maintain personal connection
Using behind-the-scenes images to showcase her design process
Incorporating team photos to highlight the studio's collaborative approach
Professional headshots for profile and banner images
Process shots integrated into project case studies
Team photos supporting recruitment and networking efforts
Marketing Materials
Consistent imagery across client presentations
Professional photos integrated into proposal templates
Brand shots used in email marketing campaigns
Results
The comprehensive image collection has delivered:
Professional headshots that convey both authority and approachability
Action shots demonstrating her design process
Team photos showcasing studio culture
Detail shots of materials and workspace
Website-ready hero images with space for text overlay
Most importantly, the images have provided Julie with a versatile toolkit for building her brand presence across all platforms while maintaining consistent messaging and visual identity.
These images will support Julie's goal of attracting more high-value clients while maintaining her brand's balance of sophistication and accessibility. The photography emphasizes her unique "Livable Luxury" positioning and showcases the personal attention clients receive when working with Julie Geyer Studio.
Client Experience
In Julie's own words:
"I cannot say enough wonderful words about CollabCollective DC. I am an interior designer and needed new branding photos for my social media and new website. Once we booked our session Claire and Ashley got to work understanding my brand and personality. When we did the photo shoot they were the most spectacular team. Not only did they get great photos of me and my team, but they knew exactly how to get the best out of us. I am over the moon at the finished product and am so grateful to Ashley and Claire for capturing my true spirit."
The successful outcome of this project demonstrates how our thorough discovery process and collaborative approach results in images that not only meet technical requirements but truly capture the essence of our clients' brands. By carefully considering both brand strategy and personal dynamics, we created a comprehensive image library that will serve Julie's business growth while authentically representing her design philosophy and approach.