Personal Branding and Headshot Phototgraphy Archives

Her Second Skin

Blue costume by second skin photogrphed by Deb Wesley

Scarlett filled out the application and submitted some of her improv audition tapes.

It could be a long shot...but why not?

“Second Skin” Dancewear was looking for models to feature on their website and social media. The winners would get to fly out to Phoenix, AZ for the company’s official video and photo shoot.

And after all..she really loved to wear their clothes.

dance model photo shoot be Deb Wesley Photography

Scarlett is in the Seventh grade--that “awkward” tween-age time...when changes abound and life gets a little more complicated.

Don’t mention that to Scarlett though...she’s busy in her quest for perfection--in movement and poise. There’s not an awkward bone in her body.

Scarlett S poses for second skin dancewear

Dance photo on white backdrop by Deb Wesley

Following her Dream...

It might be because she’s been dancing since age 4. It was at about age 10 that she got serious about her dancing. Having started taking lessons locally, she’s now training at The Colony (Chicago) www.thehive.dance 15-20 hours per week. She travels the US for conventions and competitions.

Recently she was invited to dance in a music video for the song "White Space" by Ava Morse.

Scarlett says she’s inspired by “watching others perform and choreographers create amazing pieces of art through dance.”

Yes, she was picked to be that “Second Skin” model, and came to me for the photo shoot so she’d have new images to submit for publication on the brand’s Instagram page.

If you check out @secondskincostumes_, you’ll see dancers from all over that are wearing the company’s progressive dance wear on all-white backgrounds.

This perfectly showcases the precise dance moves and colors of their costumes.

Scarlett came into the studio with an armful of cool dance costumes and great ideas on how she would show them off on the all-white set I had prepared.

She amazed me with her repertoire of poses and moves! I quickly learned not to assume a pose was done correctly until she looked at my camera back and said so!

Poetry In Motion

I loved helping Scarlett show off her moves! Can’t wait to see what she accomplishes next and wish her a cool experience in her modeling debut.

Deb Wesley is a photographer located in Downers Grove. She specializes in working with businesses and individuals with their branding and portrait needs.

Dance Pose against white for Second Skin Dance Wear by DWP

Lactation Consultant Connects With New Moms In Need

Makana breastfeeding consult by Deb Wesley

Sarah felt ready.

She had prepared well for the upcoming birth of her first child. They had a new home and she and John had prepared a beautiful nursery with everything that would be needed when the time finally came.

She had read the books, and attended the meetings. She progressed through the pregnancy just as expected.

After a normal delivery of a 7# 6’ baby boy, she was excited to get started nursing her son.

At home after just one night in the hospital, Conner didn’t seem to be latching onto correctly to her for his feedings. And feeding time seemed endless. He was crying all the time and she swore he wasn’t ever full.

Her nipples were cracked and sore and she needed sleep badly. She was at her wits end. She needed help, or would just have to give up on nursing and try a bottle.

Time To Find An Expert

Arrival of Help for Makana breastfeeding branding photography

Breast-feeding is undeniably the best way to feed your baby. It would seem that nature would take over, and everyone just instinctively should know what to do next, right?

In fact there’s a whole bunch of things that can prevent a new mom from having success

That’s where Makana Breastfeeding comes in.

Melissa (owner of Makana) helps new moms navigate their struggles with breast-feeding their babies. She’s passionate about breast-feeding and her mission is to help other mothers experience success in feeding their babies naturally.

From Passion to Business Venture

Her journey began, as many business ideas do, with her own experiences. As a new mother who was determined to breast feed her baby despite having challenges and few resources to help her, she reached out for help.

Eventually she decided to become certified (IBCLC) herself and live her passion of breastfeeding by helping other new parents.

Recognizing that her website, etc seemed rather generic, she reached out to me to help her tell that story through images with a personal branding session.

The goal was to help prospective clients connect with Melissa and understand exactly what to expect if they were to reach out for a consultation.

Bringing Her Story To Life

I met with Melissa first for an in-depth meeting to plan out every detail of the session, so we could meet all the goals she had set. We set a plan for finding some new moms with babies to be our models, planned Melissa’s looks, and chose a location that fit.

On session day we were well prepared with a detailed “shot list” and everyone scheduled to come and go at specific times to keep the shoot rolling.

Melissa is truly GOOD at her job. Her compassion and soothing demeanor immediately put our “models” (moms and babies) at ease. They got real advice to use themselves. We were lucky to have both a newborn and an older baby to help tell Melissa’s story.

Introducing bottle by Makana captured by Deb Wesley Photography

The Results

A short time later, Melissa had 40 new images ready to be used on her website and other posts that feature Melissa working directly with her “clients”.

One visit to her website now will make any frazzled new mother feel she would be able to work with and trust Melissa to help. Check her out at https://makanabreastfeeding.com

That’s the goal and the beauty of personal brand photography; to bring the stories that are at the heart of your life and your business--to life.

Deb Wesley offers individual and ongoing branding photography in the Chicago area. She's also available for travel to almost any location.

Go to https://www.debwesley.com for more information about DWP personal branding photography services.

Deb Wesley Photography Personal Branding