As a photographer, I do my best to reflect who people are within the boundaries of my images.  It's a lot of responsibility and while I AM a total goober, I have always taken that part of my job very seriously.  I suppose it has to do with me taking my own sweet time growing up to figure out what my identity involved.  Let's be real.  I might even STILL be figuring it out.  We are all evolving...constantly.

In my time in grad school, I often designed my projects and papers around Erik Erikson, one of the foremost psychologists in the studies of personality development and identity.  I find it incredibly fascinating how culture, parenting, childhood and adolescent experiences, and temperament all play a part in the conclusion (or near conclusion) of each of our identities.  Identifying things, places, thoughts, dreams, and people gives us comfort...it is human nature to want to identify the unknown.  Once we've defined it, that thing will feel safer.  This really plays a bigger part as we get older and begin to make super huge life choices.  If we are able to identify what makes us tick, we can move forward with our decisions with a big bag of confidence and ease.

While I am working on my branding clients' "identities", I am always cognizant of the need to keep each piece of their business puzzle within certain bounds.  There are times when I have to dig deep and really help my clients define who they are in a way that can be translated to text and digital means because, frankly, they have no idea what they represent.  Hey.  That's what I'm here for, party people.  Defining the unknown is the name of my game.  And if I ever, for a second, felt like reflecting people's personalities through my photography was a responsibility, then slap me twice and call me a pancake.  This branding identity stuff gets real personal.  It hits people at their core.  But hopefully, it gives them a sense of peace and understanding within themselves.  That is what I wish for the most.  Aside from having successful businesses, I want all of my clients to know how beautifully unique and incredible they are!

As I'm about to jump into another STYLE ANALYSIS for a client, I'd like to show you how Gawker is defining the adorkable Zooey Deschanel these days.  These lists are the bizarro versions of my STYLE ANALYSIS.  Can't say I've ever described anyone as a Cork-topped Terrarium Necklace or a Satchel of Fairy Dust.  Yet.

You may or may not know that shortly after quitting the wedding photography business, I created another career opportunity as a branding consultant.  After I spoke at Foundation Conference last November, it became completely apparent that so many photographers needed help creating a vision for their business that would reflect their personalities and the experience they offer their clients.  Combining my background highlights of fashion design, counseling psychology, and photography PLUS my personal experience in the wedding photography industry, I've come up with a process to guide those in need via my new business:  Carpet, Meet Drapes.  Perceptions GET REAL in this House of Branding.  It's my mission to blend the public's perception of my client with their perceptions of themselves and wrap it all up in a blanket of authenticity.

One of the coolest designers you'll ever meet, Jason Cypret, is fast at work on my Carpet, Meet Drapes website.  In the meantime, I currently have a full plate of branding clients who make me squeal and skip after every phone call, Skype, and in person meeting.  It's really clear that I'm doing work that is a perfect match for my skill set and my soul.  Hooza!

When the Minnericks contacted me to guide them through a re-brand, I was ecstatic.  Throughout all of our meetings, I have really gotten to know them and have come to be quite inspired by their thoughtfulness and the way they view the world around us.  Above all, I am most impressed with their devotion to each other.  During one of our brainstorming sessions, I snapped these images of them with their furbabies, Sancho and Rosebud.  We are getting really close to their launch, and I can't wait for everyone to get to know them!  Thanks to Jeremy and Amber for trusting me to capture your connections.  I adore you guys!