A rising tide, as they say, lifts all boats. That’s why a passion of mine is helping to lift up local business owners and tell their story through personal branding photography. In a recent personal branding shoot, I had the pleasure of working with the lovely lady pictured here, Julee Jones. Julee is the owner of The Pilates Place in Bellevue. As I’ve come to learn, her story and her business are pretty amazing.
Julee’s story
After suffering a stroke as well as recovering from a serious car accident, Julee learned firsthand how Pilates can restore and strengthen the human body. A teacher since 2001, Julee received her training from the world-reknowned Romana, protegee of program founder, Joseph Pilates.
Today Julee uses her extensive training and knowledge to help clients in a variety of ways. Many are looking to build or regain strength in their bodies after surgery or suffer from chronic pain. Julee is one of the few Pilates teachers in Nashville who is a certified Cancer Exercise Specialist. In this capacity, she works with many patients undergoing cancer treatments and therapy.
Personal branding refresh
When Julee and I first spoke earlier this summer, she said she knew it was time for a change and update to her personal branding. You don’t have to spend much time in her company to fully realize she is a warm, caring, compassionate human being. She spoke passionately with me about wanting to better reflect these qualities on her website and social media in order to tell the story of her studio’s healing mission.
She also wanted to showcase the studio location. While many gyms and studios are sandwiched in busy strip malls, her cottage in West Nashville feels more like an English garden retreat. When you arrive, you immediately feel its sense of peace, calm, and healing. I have to say, the colorful beauty of the flowers, trees, along with a gorgeous afternoon sun made this part of the assignment a pleasure indeed!
As a former journalist, an assignment like this resonated deeply. I love the challenge of creating photographs that support that story behind a business and its owner. Julee and I scheduled a photo shoot in August that featured several dedicated clients as well as her lovely studio atmosphere and of course, her sweet mascot, Joey, whose wagging tail happily greets every visitor to The Pilates Place. You’ll see him in several sweet photos below!
The importance of personal branding
Personal branding photography can literally transform your business. The photographs differentiate your number-one selling feature — YOU! Business owners often make the mistake of thinking that the quality of their product or service is most important. In reality, most products and services are a commodity. However, there is only one of you. That’s why telling your story through compelling visual images will make you stand out. It is also the best way to appeal to your target market.
I love combining my artistic photography skills and journalist’s vision in personal branding assignments. Because small business owners are truly the backbone of our society. And it makes me feel good to help local entrepreneurs survive and thrive in an ever-more competitive world.
