Crafting the Perfect Story: A Personal Branding Session with JL, Miniatures Artist

I had the pleasure of working with JL, a miniatures artist based in Singapore, on a personal branding session to elevate her visual presence. JL’s work is focused on showcasing high-quality materials and tools from small businesses through her YouTube channel, where she shares her craft with over 50K subscribers. As part of her professional growth, she needed a set of high-quality images for her YouTube thumbnails, headshots for speaking engagements, and process shots to feature on her website.

JL’s brand is built around serenity, focus, and the appreciation of subtle beauty. She wanted her photos to communicate her expertise in the craft while staying true to her personal brand, which is deeply rooted in simplicity and calmness. We used natural light in her home studio to create the ideal atmosphere and capture her vision.

Our collaboration began with a meeting at a café, where we discussed her vision and brand. We focused on the core elements of her work: craftsmanship, attention to detail, and authenticity. From there, we moved to her studio, where the natural light from her floor-to-ceiling windows provided a perfect setting for the shoot.

I focused on capturing JL in her element, working with the tools of her craft. We used a variety of props—paintbrushes, miniatures, books, and letters—to tell the story of her artistry. Each element was carefully selected to reflect JL’s commitment to her work and the range of skills she possesses as an artist.

Throughout the shoot, I worked to maintain a focus on the elements that define JL’s brand—authenticity, expertise, and calm. The natural light and carefully chosen props were key to ensuring the images conveyed the right message. JL’s hands, her art, and the process she follows were all highlighted to create a series of images that feel true to who she is as an artist.

JL was actively involved in the creative process, providing feedback on the visuals and collaborating to get the shots that would best represent her brand. The shoot was efficient yet relaxed, resulting in images that truly captured the essence of her work.

JL’s response to the final images left me incredibly humbled. Here is what she shared with me:

"Joelle is simply amazing :) I contacted her about a personal branding shoot but wasn't really sure at first if it would work out. As an artist, I wanted the focus to be on my hands and my art. Joelle came down to my home studio a few weeks before the shoot to brainstorm poses and angles that would work. She also gave feedback on my outfits and even sent me a moodboard after the session. She really gave me confidence that the shoot would be a success! On the day of the shoot, Joelle went above and beyond to capture the shots I wanted. Working with the natural light, she patiently guided me through different poses and angles to capture me and my artwork in the best light. It was a long shoot with lots of moving about; Joelle was so cheerful I barely noticed the time passing! She really understood my vision and it was so exciting to see the photos as we were shooting. I was pleasantly surprised when she pulled out her own backdrops and lighting to shoot bonus close-up shots. It was lovely to see her creativity and enthusiasm and we laughed a lot that afternoon :) Joelle really has a gift for capturing emotions and stories in a single photo. I'm so glad I met her and so grateful for the beautiful photos I got!"

Working with JL was an enriching experience, and I’m excited to see how the images we created will support her brand and help her connect with her audience. If you’re looking to elevate your personal branding with authentic, professional photography, I’d love to collaborate with you.