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Logo Designs for Marilyn Lou Boudoir & SoCal Headshots

Posted on June 19, 2016 by JUSTEN HONG

One of my favorite photographers is Michael Anthony out of Los Angeles, California. He and his wife Jennifer are both extremely talented engagement and wedding photographers whose unique style is defined by what they do with natural light and off-camera flash. Michael’s signature shots look like magical movie posters or dramatic romance novel covers. They are truly pieces of art. Just take a look at a couple of his images below:

Visit michaelanthonyphotography.com to view more of Michael’s photography.

We were honored when they came to us to design logos for two of their new independent sub-brands, one for a new boudoir line, and the other for a new headshot company.

While Michael was in town speaking at Shutterfest ’16, we met up for lunch one day to discuss the new brands. When we got into the car to go to lunch, neither Michael nor Jen knew what they wanted to call their new boudoir company. We started brainstorming on the ride from Union Station to Anthony’s (maybe a mile or so), and by the time we arrived at the restaurant, Marilyn Lou Boudoir was born. The name is based off Jen’s middle name, and part of her maiden name, which we all liked because it had an old Hollywood sound to it. Perfect for a glamorous, upscale and classy boudoir brand in Los Angeles. On that short ride, we also came up with the idea of naming their photography collections after old Hollywood starlets. During lunch, we all agreed that the logo should use a script or handwritten typeface.

Below you can see the logo, along with a sample branding package including colors, typefaces, patterns and identity design. We really love how this color palette and identity design have a feminine and classic look, yet still feels modern. We also tied Michael’s brand to the new boudoir one by using his heart mark for the dot of the i in Marilyn.

Sample Watermark

Next we discussed the SoCal Headshots logo. Michael wanted the logo to feel fresh and hip, while having a friendly, approachable Southern California vibe to it. We feel the final logo is exactly that. Check out the logo and brand samplings below:

SAMPLE WATERMARKS:

SoCal-watermark-logo2

Click here to view more of our Photography Branding work »

Branding Package for a Tampa, Florida Photography Studio

Posted on June 4, 2016 by JUSTEN HONG

Donnie Jones Photography is a Tampa, Florida photography studio that specializes in weddings, engagements, high school senior portraits and maternity photography. Donnie is a very talented photographer and someone who understands the importance of building a brand and doing everything right the first time around. He is pretty much our ideal client and we can’t wait to see his success.

Donnie Jones Photography came to Visual Lure wanting a luxury, high-end looking branding package, and we’re confident that we delivered. It started with the logo which features an integrated DJ monogram along with a logo for his premier Gold Collection. We then designed an identity package which included business cards, letterhead and envelopes. We finished everything off with a fully-custom, responsive, fast-loading, easy to maintain WordPress website. The website features a large random loading image on the home page, a fully integrated blog, a sticky header, masonry light box photo galleries and subtle CSS animation effect that give the site a sense of elegance and sophistication.

Learn more about Visual Lure’s logo design & branding or web design services »

Logo & Branding Package for Quebec Photography Studio

Posted on September 1, 2015 by JUSTEN HONG

Studios Elysium Photographie is a Rigaud, Quebec based wedding and portrait studio offering wedding, family and glamour photography in the Vaudreuil, Montreal and eastern Ontario area. They recently came to Visual Lure to create a new visual identity. They requested that we incorporate a dragonfly into the logo as it has a special meaning to this husband and wife photography team. We did so by making it form the letter ‘t” in Studios.

Below you can see the vertical and horizontal logo formats, the sample identity/letterhead system, proposed packaging and a sample watermark. At the very bottom are two unselected logos that we really liked. The bottom right logo was a fleur de lis that also created a dragonfly. We thought this one was genius, but after speaking to the clients, they informed me that it would be controversial using a French symbol in their logo. I guess there is a dispute whether Quebec should be politically aligned and influenced by France. They didn’t tell me which they preferred, simply that they didn’t want their business logo to be controversial.

Photography Logo Design & Visual Branding Package for Connecticut Wedding Photographer

Posted on April 30, 2015 by JUSTEN HONG

Nick Benson, a very talented wedding photographer from Monroe, CT, recently came to Visual Lure for a rebrand. During the discovery stages, Nick was consistently referring to one of his wife’s favorite brands, Tory Burch. They both loved the look and feel of the brand and its popular monogram icon.

Inspired by the embellished block serif of the Tory Burch logo, we started sketching similar custom N’s and B’s. That’s when we came across a pleasant little surprise. While drawing a custom letter N, we discovered we could hide a very subtle B in the negative space of the N, similar to how the FedEx logo has the hidden arrow in between the E and the X. It may take a second or two to see it, but once you do, you always will.

At that point we quit sketching as we knew this would be the final mark. We usually provide anywhere from four to eight initial logo options, but for this one, it was the only option we presented to our client. Nick still wanted to see what else I had done but quickly agreed that this logo was it.

Below you can see Nick’s new logo in all its glory with additional format options, one with a shiny golden brass effect added to it along with some sample packaging. We think this mark feels very high-end and screams luxury, two of the main traits our client wanted his new logo to feel.

View more of our photography logos & branding projects »

Logo Design & Branding for a Pennsylvania Photographer

Posted on April 20, 2015 by JUSTEN HONG

We had the pleasure of meeting Pam Baumann at this years Shutterfest. Pam is a professional photographer based out of Limerick, Pennsylvania. She originally started out as a nature photographer and is now focusing more on family and individual portraiture. When we met Pam she had no idea what she wanted her brand to look like. Since we were in the trade show area, I decided to start helping her define her brand by visiting the Photo Flash Drive booth. I asked her what style of zip drive or box was she drawn to. She walked right past the modern crystal drive, and the high-fashion alligator skinned boxes and went immediately towards the premium wood packaging. This was the start of defining her brand. We then discussed what large named brands have an aesthetic that she gravitates towards but she couldn’t think of any. As we walked through the trade show we were discussing the booth designs, that’s when she saw one she really loved. I can’t recall the name of the company, but the booth used worn corrugated metal, reclaimed wood, earth tones and had a very rustic look and feel, yet it still felt inviting and warm. She instantly said that was the direction she wanted to go. Once I saw that booth it reminded me of Timberland, the boot company, so I mentioned that brand to her and she agreed that it had elements she liked.

From there, we discussed what type of logo she wanted, a type-based logo, a monogram, a crest of some kind or one with an icon. Without hesitation Pam said she wanted an icon. We then talked about what the icon could be, as the best ones have some type of meaning behind them. The conversation started with Pam possibly wanting to use hills, a sunset with trees, etc. but I told her icons need to be simple. It then went into possibly using a camera aperture or shutter, which I hate to use unless it is incorporated in a clever and memorable way. We despise photography logos that use generic cameras or shutters, they feel so impersonal and cliche.

This led us to the discussion of possibly using a tree which is a great symbol for family. We talked about using a tree with her initials hidden in the branches, but she was not sold. The conversation then moved into using a leaf or leaves. By this time Pam’s visual brand was pretty well defined. It was natural, rustic and colorful yet warm. That is when it hit me, using leaves to create an camera aperture. I drew a quick sketch and Pam was instantly sold. My first concern was has it been done before, I searched a couple of the largest logo databases along with Google Images and found nothing. This made us both extremely happy.

Below in Pam’s new logo along with the beginning stages of her visual branding package, including sample identity, flash drive packaging, typefaces and color palettes.

Do you need help defining your brand and implementing a full identity package to match? Give Visual Lure a call today at 618-407-9231, we would love to help you find your brand.

Click here to view more of our photography logos and branding packages »

Complete Branding Package for a Pittsburgh Photography Studio

Posted on December 18, 2014 by JUSTEN HONG

We recently wrapped up a complete visual branding package for Wright Image Photography, a Pittsburgh area family and wedding photography studio. We actually started with their logo and website last year and just completed the letterhead system, packaging and wedding brochure. The new pieces will utilize specialty printing with the logo being gold foil stamped on the letterhead, paper bags and wedding brochure.

Sticking with the white and gold color theme, we selected a crystal flash drive with a gold cap from photoflashdrive.com and we found brass metal business cards at mymetalbusinesscard.com (that look gold). These will we be used for the labels on their large prints and canvases – which will be wrapped in white craft paper and a white ribbon. As mentioned before, the bag will have a gold foil stamped logo, and patterned or solid metallic gold tissue paper will top it off.

Due to the custom search engine optimized WordPress website we created for them last year, they have more than doubled their weddings for next (all without any additional marketing). This bump in income has allowed them to reinvest in the company and they are now working on creating a solid marketing plan for next year. We are also currently converting their existing website to be responsive to improve traffic, lower the bounce rate and provide a better overall user experience.

It is always a pleasure to work with clients that understand and value the power of good design and cohesive visual branding. If you are one of those people, give us a call today, we would love to help take your business to the next level.

Update: Printed samples of the new brochure and identity design package just came in. They printed beautifully!

View more of our photography logos and branding packages »

New Logo for a Chicago Glamour/Fashion Photographer

Posted on November 26, 2014 by JUSTEN HONG

Jeremy Cheshareck is a portrait and glamour photographer located in Joliet, Illinois, just south of Chicago. His photography is edgy with a high-end fashion aesthetic. After meeting with Jeremy, he had just decided to break his current brand into two entities: Jeremy Cheshareck Photography and J. Chez Photography. Jeremy Cheshareck Photography will focus on high school seniors and portraiture, and J. Chez will focus on glamour and fashion. He chose to split the two because he didn’t want to alienate seniors and their parents with his more risque fashion work. We, along with the Salvatore Cincotta team, helped him come up with J. Chez Photography. This name keeps his new brand personal but allows him to market to a completely different audience.

Jeremy didn’t want his new logo to feel like a photography logo and he really wanted to incorporate lions into the design somehow. Below is the new logo along with a sample identity package, including business cards, letterhead and envelopes. The new logo features a J.C. monogram sandwiched between two lions and topped with a crown.

Update: Here is the logo with a new steel effect added to it.

…and the new logo for his sister brand Jeremy Cheshareck Photography:

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