This was some of the inspiration we received to help us understand what resonated with them. Notice, the rooms and fashion. You can start to feel their look starting to brew. The final brand felt very much like a magazine, including the layout of their site.

Words to describe their style, work and brand:

sophisticated
classic
fashionable
a little sassy
1960’s
subtle
friendly
boutique hotel
european
spunky
crisp
fun

We decided to keep the moon shape (for goddess Diana), as it had been a recognizable representation of her business for over 20 years. We then streamlined the type giving the moon more importance as it now replaced the O. We also created a separate Weddings and Portraits logo. Below is the before and after.

Their extensive custom portfolio blogsite was custom designed with their collective needs in mind. Author driven blogfeed with silhouettes taken from the inspired photo shoot by Nicole Wolf of Sota DZine. It includes separate sections for weddings and portraits and multiple galleries for each photographer. They also include a “People We Love” section, so their brides can experience their extensive wedding expertise when visiting the Studio Diana site. Visit Studio Diana here.

We are honored to be a part of their new brand. Beautiful digs for some gorgeous ladies. On a side note, since launching their new custom portfolio blogsite last month, they have booked twice as many weddings as the same time last year. And that is just the beginning.

We’re giving away an identity…because 40+ is how many business identities we have created for photographers, photography studios or photography related, since 2008. We are so grateful to be embraced in this world of creatives and entrepreneurs, who are nothing short of amazing. We’ve been to your seminars, sat in your forums, read your periodicals, followed your blogs and tried out your products. We humbly thank you for accepting us into your fold, and appreciating our work, and keeping us employed.

We would like to take this time to give back to the photography community that has given us so much. We will be giving away a scholarship of 1 identity ($3000 value) to an up and coming photographer. Photographer must be in their first year of business; wedding, portrait, or commercial. Submissions of: contact info, url and 3 sample photos (saved for web please) must be sent to info@identitykitchen.com. Feel free to nominate someone you know to be inspirational, phenomenal and on their way to be the next… Deadline for entries is March 1, 2010.

I often ask clients to send me visuals that speak to them. I’ve received photographs of interiors, paintings, photographs, furniture, even shoes. These are so telling, even more than the words I ask to describe their work and/or business.

ARTIST SERIES – CARA OBER from drury bynum on Vimeo.

I saw this video by the artist Cara Ober and her work was something I felt as if I identified with. Then I saw this painting on her home page and it completely made me smile. It actually made me laugh out loud at myself. Think I may give myself a break from all this strategy and planning and go with my gut a little more this week.

What resonates with you?

We have officially started accepting jobs for the New Year. While this is a busy time for everyone’s businesses, this is the perfect time to think about marketing. January can be a slower time for some, which opens up some breathing room to assess your brand. Are you happy with your brand and identity? Do you feel like it represents the kind of work you are doing? Are you thinking about raising your prices in the new year and are looking to appeal to a more sophisticated market? This is the perfect time to do that.

Here is your incentive. We are offering a special discount to anyone who signs up for branding or marketing work in 2009. Spots begin mid January. Remember those year end write-offs. Think about how much you will enjoy the holidays knowing you’ll be starting 2009 with a fantastic new look and marketing plan. Contact me ellen@identitykitchen.com for more information.