When most people think about architects and interior designers, they think about the finished space—the beautifully styled living room, the thoughtfully designed kitchen, or the perfectly planned renovation.
But every beautiful space begins long before the final photographs.
Recently, I had the opportunity to photograph a brand session for the very talented Johanna Adamiak, an architect and interior designer in the Philadelphia area. Our goal wasn’t simply to create professional headshots. We wanted to tell the story of the person behind the designs and showcase the expertise, creativity, and process that clients experience when they work with her.
Starting with Strategy
Every Brand Story Session begins with a planning conversation. Together, we identify the visual elements that best represent a client’s work, personality, and process.
For this session, we focused on highlighting the tools and resources that are part of her everyday work:
- Material samples, finishes, and design selections
- Architectural schematics and drawings
- Mood boards and design inspiration
- Sketchbooks, pencils, rulers, and drafting tools
- Design books and industry magazines
- Technology she uses daily, including her iPad, computer, and phone
- Styling elements used during interior installations
- Published projects and photographs of completed spaces
Each item helped tell a piece of her story and offered potential clients a glimpse into the thoughtfulness behind every project.
More Than Beautiful Spaces
One of my favorite parts of this session was incorporating images that represented the full design journey.
We included photographs of spaces before renovation alongside completed projects to demonstrate transformation. Showing both the starting point and the finished result helps communicate something that portfolio images alone often can’t: vision.
Great designers don’t just create beautiful spaces. They see possibilities where others see challenges.
Creating Multiple Layers of Storytelling
To create a diverse gallery with plenty of marketing flexibility, we organized the session into several distinct segments.
Personal Brand Portraits
We started with portraits focused on Jo herself.
These images were designed to help potential clients connect with the person behind the business. Warm, approachable portraits build trust and create familiarity long before an inquiry call ever happens.
Working Behind the Scenes
Next, we documented Jo in her creative environment.
Working at her desk, reviewing plans, sketching ideas, and interacting with design resources allowed us to capture the expertise and problem-solving that are central to her work.
These images help answer a question many prospective clients have:
“What will it actually be like to work with this person?”
Client Experience
One of the most important aspects of any service-based business is the client relationship.
Using a larger meeting table and design materials, we created scenes that reflected collaboration, consultation, and decision-making. These photographs communicate the experience clients can expect throughout the design process.
Tools of the Trade
We also dedicated time to photographing the objects and resources that support her work every day.
From material selections and architectural drawings to technology and styling accessories, these details add depth to a brand gallery and provide valuable content for websites, blogs, newsletters, and social media.
Lifestyle Images at Verona Park
To round out the session, we stepped away from the workspace and captured lifestyle portraits at Verona Park.
These images bring personality and movement into a gallery while helping audiences connect with the human side of a brand. Not every photograph needs to happen behind a desk. Sometimes the most engaging images are the ones that show who you are outside of your workspace.
Why Brand Photography Matters for Architects and Interior Designers
Your work may speak for itself, but your clients are hiring more than your portfolio. Clients are looking for a professional with a perspective, process, creativity and communication style. They’re also hiring your ability to guide them through important decisions.
Strategic brand photography helps communicate those qualities before a client ever reaches out.
By combining portraits, process images, client interactions, and carefully selected props, we create a visual story that feels authentic, professional, and uniquely yours.
The spaces you design tell a story, and the people behind those spaces deserve to be seen, too.
Thinking About Your Own Brand Session?
Whether you’re an architect, interior designer, creative entrepreneur, or service provider, a brand session can help you build trust, create consistent marketing content, and showcase the experience you provide.
The most effective brand photos are so much more than beautiful images. They’re intentional, strategic, and they tell your story.
Ready to create photos that reflect the work you love? I’d love to help you tell your story.
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