Dreamy, Editorial small business Branding for NYC Sustainable Florist, Wild Floral Designs
- Stacie Stine
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
In my opinion, Small Business branding photo sessions should feel fun and be everything a rigid LinkedIn photo is not. If you've missed my creative take on branding photos before you can find some great previous sessions here and here.
When Michelle Hannah, the visionary behind Wild Floral Designs, invited me into her Bronx studio for her branding photos, I knew we were about to create something special.
Michelle isn't just any florist; she's a floral artist whose work is a harmonious blend of Dutch Masters' richness, the whimsy of Dolly Parton, and the raw beauty of nature. Her designs are lush, romantic, and organic, reflecting the untamed and ephemeral beauty of flowers. But beyond aesthetics, Michelle is deeply committed to sustainability and social justice. She actively participates in antiracist education, supports the Black Lives Matter movement, and donates a portion of her profits to reparations for the Black community. Her studio also contributes quarterly to The American Indian Community House, supporting Native Americans in New York City. She's the kind of vendor I would want to invest in if I was planning a big party with florals. Her character and values are reflected in her work.
Before our session, I sent Michelle a Pinterest inspo board ahead of time to make sure we were on the same page-- she got back to me and immediately to let me know what she wanted: editorial, dreamy, not too "sexy florist" (I had definitely pinned some thirsty florist photos lol), professional, and nostalgic. So we ran with that! And if you don't see all those words come to life in these photos, I don't know what you're looking at.
During our session, we aimed to photograph not just Michelle's artistry but her client-facing personality. We photographed her arranging flowers, yes, but also incorporated lifestyle and editorial elements to showcase her personality and passion. Using my signature FX prisms lenses for timeless shots and a special "dream" filter for an ethereal touch, we created images that felt both authentic and otherworldly.
That’s why this session became what I’d call dreamy, editorial branding for NYC sustainable florist Michelle of Wild Floral Designs—a phrase that honestly captures the experience and the end result. When you look at these, you'll notice some have a very clean/timeless edit and some have a very nostalgic looks-like-film edit. With all my clients, I like to deliver a bit of both. I find my clients really enjoy having an artsy look, but also really need a timeless approach for marketing and websites.
Understanding the importance of multimedia in today's digital landscape, I also provided Michelle with short video clips, edited in Adobe Premiere Pro, to bring her brand to life across platforms. These videos are short, sweet, and very Day-in-the-Life.
Michelle told me before the session that she doesn't always love herself in photos (and that’s such a real, human thing to say, I hear it all the time from clients). I thought she might need lots of coaching. But honestly? She was a pro. Confident, calm, present. She just needed someone to see her the right way. Someone disarming who wasn't all posy perfect. I think that's why we were a good match.
When she received her gallery, her response was heartfelt:
“I honestly love it. It was better than anything I could even hope for. A bit at a loss for words at how thankful to have these images and your eye for dreamy editing.”
It’s moments like these that remind me why I do what I do. Branding photography isn’t just about visuals; it’s about capturing the soul of a brand. And with Michelle, that soul is vibrant, compassionate, and utterly inspiring.
What's the soul of your brand? How can we bring it to life in a Day-in-the-Life meets editorial magazine kind of way? Message me to start talking about how we can collaborate on your branding!
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