Photographer of the Month: DollFace Studio
Sometimes even the most successful businesses need to take a step back and consider a rebrand. Branding is important, especially to photography businesses, because it’s how your customers perceive you. For something as emotional and personal as a wedding or a sexy boudoir session, your customers need to feel like they can connect with you to foster a relationship that goes beyond a two-hour shoot.
DollFace Studio specializes in boudoir photography. Image compliments of DollFace Studio.
DollFace Studio of Philadelphia, PA realized this is just what they needed. Two edgy, fashionable women, Darah and Siobhan, co-own and operate the sexy studio that caters primarily to boudoir and edgy photography for weddings. They’re the faces of the DollFace brand—yet, their website and marketing materials didn’t reflect them or their company.
The need for the rebrand was simple: the two owners felt there was never any cohesiveness with their brand. A big part of the rebrand came from their desire to really determine who they are as a company. Plus, they were in the mood to kick their business up a notch.
Knowing their strength is photography (and not creative brand development) they outsourced the initiative to an agency that did a full analysis of their business, including internal research and interviews with their clientele! Although it was a lengthy, back-and-forth process, Darah expressed that she and her partner could have never done it themselves; they had too much personal investment in their company and they saw the power of having an outsiders’ opinion. “The agency took what we definitely knew and included parts that they found out by researching us and made us complete,” said Darah.
With a few logo changes in the past, this was the first major overhaul of the DollFace brand. What was involved in this overhaul? A new website, a new studio space “with a totally different vibe”, a new logo, new marketing materials in the works…and a new confidence in their brand image.
DollFace's NEW logo
With the new website just about a month old, DollFace has already gotten great feedback from their customers and prospects, who now believe their website makes them look more professional and the rebrand reflects the high quality work they do. With boudoir women as their primary clientele, they’ve heard their customers automatically feel more comfortable.
So while rebranding may be a costly and timely project, its power is undeniable. Having a strong brand that reflects your business and photography can lead to new customers, returning customer and a much greater chance of referrals. So what’s Darah’s final advice to any photographer considering a rebrand?
“I would say if you’re looking to take your business to the next level, you’ve gotta do it. It takes time [about 6 months on the website alone] and a lot of money to really do it right. It’s not going to happen overnight—which we didn’t realize it would take so much time. It does feel good to have a new, refreshed look that you’re really proud of.”
DollFace Studio was featured on CBS Philly on December 5, 2012—we can’t say it was because of their rebrand, but we’re sure their fresh new look coupled with their incredible work will help get even more of the city’s attention! Check out their rebranded website at: http://www.dollfacestudio.com.
