A Nashville Branding Session Designed for Speaking Engagements, Courses, and Content

I love working with repeat clients and helping them create imagery that supports where they’re headed next. This was my second branding session with Dr. Jo Ellen of Werking Communications. She previously joined us for the Social Media Boost in 2025.  When it came time to refresh her brand imagery, she had a clear vision and specific photo needs in mind. Jo Ellen knew she wanted to have her Nashville branding session at The Sapphire Suite in Franklin, Tennessee, which was a perfect fit. The Sapphire Suite is a beautiful co-working and meeting space. The refined and welcoming spaces were an ideal backdrop for a branding session designed around education, speaking, and leadership.

Its polished interiors, modern meeting spaces, and professional atmosphere immediately communicated the type of experience Jo Ellen provides to her clients. Since so much of her work revolves around coaching leaders and teaching communication strategies, we wanted a setting that felt both professional and approachable.

Nashville Branding Session That Shows Expertise in Action

One of the biggest goals for this session was to create images that showcased Jo Ellen doing what she does best: teaching, leading, and speaking. Jo Ellen is the founder of Werking Communications, a business that provides media training and communication coaching for leaders, executives, and teams. In the same way she helps professionals communicate with confidence and deliver messages that resonate, her images needed to do the same.

It was important that her images go beyond traditional portraits and actually demonstrate her expertise in action. Throughout the session, we photographed Jo Ellen leading presentations, speaking to a room, and interacting with others in ways that felt authentic to her work and brand.

Our friend and videographer, Bella Delain of Gumball Media Productions joined us during the session and received some personalized public speaking training from Jo Ellen. Watching Jo Ellen coach Bella created such genuine moments. It also gave us the opportunity to capture what it’s actually like to work with her. There was natural interaction, encouragement, and conversation happening throughout the session, which brought the images to life in a way that posed photos simply can’t.

Interactive Branding Photos

One of the best ways to make branding photos feel genuine is to incorporate storytelling and interaction into the session. Instead of simply standing in front of the camera and smiling, we create opportunities for movement that reflect how you actually serve your clients. For Jo Ellen, that meant coaching, teaching, and engaging with others. However, for other businesses that might look like collaborating with a team, consulting with a client, recording a podcast, or incorporating specific props that are integral to your daily work. 

Interactive branding photos help potential clients understand your process and envision what it would be like to work with you. This communicates trust and approachability. 

Branding Sessions Designed Around How You Actually Use Your Photos

I always design branding sessions around how you plan to use the images, whether you’re preparing for speaking engagements, launching an online course, refreshing your website, or creating content for social media, which is exactly what we did for Jo Ellen. Her branding session resulted in a gallery filled with versatile images that support every aspect of her business. Now Jo Ellen has photos that help establish credibility, build trust, and attract the right clients, which is what strategic brand photography is all about. 

If you’re a Nashville or Franklin business owner looking for branding photos that go beyond headshots and truly showcase your expertise and skills, I’d love to help you create imagery that supports your next season of growth.

Together, we’ll create a session that tells your story and gives you photos that work harder for your business. Reach out to start planning your branding session and create images that are aligned with your business.