Tempe Brand Photographer: Capturing Trust & Approachability, Branding for Therapists with Meagan Ku
Their are unique challenges faced by mental health professionals in conveying trust and approachability through their brand imagery. In a recent brand photo session with Meagan Ku, a therapist specializing in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS), we worked together to highlight the importance of thoughtful, sensitive brand photography that aligns with the essence of her practice.
Crafting a Welcoming First Impression
For professionals like Meagan, the first impression potential clients receive from brand imagery can significantly influence their decision to reach out for help. Knowing this, our focus during Meagan’s photoshoot was to capture her professional side but also her playful, creative and colorful side as well. It was also important to her to capture the safe space she creates for her clients as well. The resulting headshots and introductory images are not just photographs; they are an invitation—gently encouraging potential clients to connect and feel comfortable in taking that first, often daunting, step towards therapy.
The Vision: Approachable and Trusting Vibes
Understanding Meagan's professional focus, we wanted the session to feel welcoming and trustworthy but also creative and playful.
Her business, Ammonite Counseling, is named after the Ammonite fossil and holds a lot of symbolism. The spiral an ammonite invokes imagery of change and transformation, while also looking deeper within for answers. The fossil itself is a creature of the sea trapped in time now dug out from the earth; the ocean and water often represent the world of emotions, while the earth is often material and present. In her work, she often see one's inner child frozen in time, like a fossil, waiting to no longer be stuck in the mud of time. Because of this imagery it was also important to craft the session around and capture the abstract. What an incredible challenge for me!
The Perfect Setting: The Loft Studio Phoenix
Meagan chose The Loft Creative Studio, in downtown Phoenix. for its minimal and textured aesthetic, which perfectly aligns with her brand and allowed her colorful and playful vibe to truly shine. The studio’s inviting ambiance provided the ideal backdrop for capturing images that convey a sense of trust and approachability. Our goal was to create visuals that make clients feel at ease from the moment they see her website or social media profiles.
After an hour at The Loft Studio, we then moved the session back to Meagan’s office. It was important to her to capture images in the space where she sees her clients, to give them a feel for the space they’ll be sharing their most sensitive parts of themselves with her. As you can see, her personal office has a much more cozy and warm vibe to it. So while it was important and necessary to capture Meagan’s colorful personality on a blank slate like the Loft Studio, it was equally as important for us to capture the comfort of her office as well.
The Photoshoot: Authentic, Relatable, and Playful Imagery
During the shoot, we focused on capturing Meagan in moments that highlight her true personality.
We avoided overly formal poses and instead opted for candid shots. These images are designed to help potential clients feel an immediate connection with Meagan, setting the stage for a trusting therapeutic relationship.
Detail Shots: Enhancing Website and Marketing Materials
Understanding that not every image on a therapist's website should be a direct portrait, we also focused on capturing detailed shots. Meagan is an avid blogger of her expertise so it was also important for us to capture a gallery of abstract images as well for her to use on her socials and in her blog posts. We used items from within her practice creating flat lays that showcase important messages or convey abstract messages within the nature of the items captured.
The Importance of Specialized Brand Sessions for Mental Health Professionals
For therapists like Meagan, specialized brand photography sessions are crucial. They provide imagery that not only enhances the visual appeal of a website and marketing materials but also helps potential clients feel a connection even before they meet her. These images serve as a crucial bridge, building trust and making the therapeutic journey feel a little less intimidating.
Conclusion: Your Image, Their Comfort
If you are a mental health professional looking to deepen your connection with current and prospective clients, consider the value of a professional brand photoshoot from a Tempe Brand Photographer. I would love to help you elevate your brand and provide that little extra something that makes your potential clients say, “Yes, they’re the one for me!”.
If you’re ready to enhance your professional presence and make your therapeutic space more inviting contact me today to schedule your brand session and start transforming how clients see and connect with you.
Tempe Brand Photographer | Shannon Ly Photography
To see the full gallery from Meagan’s session, click here!
