Alli L Co
Allison is a lifestyle and wedding photographer based out of Sudbury, Ontario. Over the past few years, we have worked together on a number of collaborations including 1:1 brand clarity – where we explored her brand’s core characteristics and identified key pieces of messaging – brand strategy, website copy audit, as well as brand photography.
Brand Strategy, Copy Audit & Brand Photography
Context
Allison and I began our journey together as photographer and muse where we spent a late summer evening frolicking along Georgian Bay, dancing to her beautifully curated playlist. As I documented each moment for her upcoming rebrand, this night felt truly magical (we even ended it with an after sunset swim!) Months later, she reached back out searching for website copy support. When it came to the words that would eventually exist alongside her art, she knew she wanted to write them herself but was also looking for a more collaborative experience — one that included strategic guidance and thoughtful revisions. Together, we co-created website copy that reflected her brand’s spirit. About a year later, she returned in search for clarity around her overall brand, which is an element to any branding project that I usually recommend early on – as it is truly the foundation.
Process & Approach
Brand Strategy & Messaging – Brand Strategy & Messaging gives you the framework to understand your brand as part of a whole. Together we look at the bigger picture and then work our way backwards to identify the steps needed to get there.
The Results: A personalized brand messaging handbook that defines your brand’s core characteristics and covers key components of your overall brand message — and yes, you can use the exact messaging as copy for your website and social media channels.
For Allison, she came to me with a lot of questions around her overall brand, and together (using insights from the brand reflection questionnaire), we were able to identify key areas of her brand, including her audience, offerings, purpose, core values, and unique selling points. We even established a tagline for her brand along with the exact messaging she can use when talking about her business.
Allison triemstra
During each project, Savannah’s thoughtful and supportive personality has made me feel like I am hanging out with my bestie. She has really pushed me (in the softest way possible) to look within myself and to dig deeper. As a photographer, my brand is a piece of me. Without using words, Savannah has given me permission to be me and has encouraged me to infuse that into my brand. When I came to Savannah I had so many thoughts and ideas floating around my head but had no idea how to put them together in a structured way that made sense to my heart. Today, (for the first time in ten years) I am walking away with an understanding of who my business is and the direction to move forward. Not only am I leaving with experience with clarity but also a feeling of inspiration I haven’t felt in years.
“I have worked with Savannah on multiple different projects and after every project has come to a close, I am in ‘awe’ of my experience.”
Brand Photography
Brand Photos – With 10 plus years of cultivating a space for clients to express themselves freely, Allison has been capturing human connections and guiding couples to revive their love through the art of photography. During our initial discovery call, we spoke about her business, her brand, her desires, and her intentions. We spoke about who she is, what she values, and how she would like those elements reflected throughout her photography business. With a rebrand on the horizon, Allison wanted new imagery that encompassed who she is as a human and as an artist. She wanted non-traditional brand photos. She wanted art. Emotion. Detail.
Moving through this experience, our intention for this session was to gravitate towards natural yet creative freedom – integrating elements of play, movement, stillness, and breath work. We chose an outdoor location that was meaningful to her (located in Parry Sound, Ontario), which allowed her to feel comfortable and safe. We played music, we explored, and we existed in this space while interacting with the natural elements around – water, stone, sand, tree, rock, wood.
“Savannah delivered beyond my expectations. Going through the images, I felt so seen and understood. From the moment I found her the process was so easy. I love that she made a collaborative Pinterest board for me to share my vision and feeling for the brand session. During the session Savannah made me feel so calm. She directed me in such an open way that allowed room for me to be me. She nailed the feel I had in mind for the session. Working with Savannah was worth every penny and I look forward to doing so again in the future!"
Copywriting Audit
Followed by the questionnaire, Allison received a personalized copy guidebook, which acted as a road map and supported her as she began to write her own website copy. Not only did it include tangible tips and prompts, but it also included the strategic framework, mindset, and approach that I would have used if I were to write the copy for her. Once she had the pages written, I provided her with thorough feedback while keeping her brand intentions and ideal target audience in mind. Although this collaboration includes my own strategic edits and suggestions (see below for some behind-the-scenes), I absolutely love seeing my clients apply their newfound copy knowledge to their work while adding in their own twist so that their copy can feel even more aligned with who they are.
Allison triemstra
“Working with Savannah was like working with a long time friend. She is so kind, understanding, and knowledgeable, and went above and beyond to support me throughout the entire process."
When I came to her for copywriting, I knew I wanted to work with her specifically. Her words spoke directly to me and as someone who struggles with articulating my thoughts, I knew I needed someone who would understand what I was trying to convey to my clients. If you’re looking for someone who will provide you with a high-quality, stress-free, and in-depth copywriting experience, Savannah is worth all the money. She even offered insights into mindset and education around the topics that I wasn’t well versed in. If you get the chance to speak with Savannah, you’ll know instantly that she’s the right person for you and your business.
“I cried. It was everything I didn’t know I needed. I can’t even count how many times I have come back to it and reread it just because of how beautiful it is and not in the sense of the way it looks but in the way it feels. It literally is an extension of my brain. You took everything I was thinking and put it all together but in the magical way you do. The way you construct sentences, it just pulls at my heart. Everything in the final guide is just beautifully written and so clear. I am walking away feeling so centred? Grounded? In not only my brand itself but in the direction I want for my business moving forward.”
How do you feel about the finished product?
“I cried. It was everything I didn’t know I needed. I can’t even count how many times I have come back to it and reread it just because of how beautiful it is and not in the sense of the way it looks but in the way it feels. It literally is an extension of my brain. You took everything I was thinking and put it all together but in the magical way you do. The way you construct sentences, it just pulls at my heart. Everything in the final guide is just beautifully written and so clear. I am walking away feeling so centred? Grounded? In not only my brand itself but in the direction I want for my business moving forward.”
How do you feel about the finished product?
“Give Savannah all of your money lol but no, in all seriousness. You will not regret the investment you are making with Savannah when you trust her and really open up to the process. I think like any investment, there is a level of ‘you get what you give,’ especially when your brand is an extension of you. Savannah makes opening up and allowing yourself to be seen so easy because she feels like a friend you have had for years. Her softness and support through the process was comforting, even when she asked the harder questions or asked for me to dig a little deeper into myself.”
What would you say to someone who's considering hiring me?
“Literally sitting here in tears as I fill this out. So much gratitude to you for doing what you do. Literal magic! (yes, in the fantasy like magic because what you bring to the table isn’t of this world. It is so beyond that. You have a gift and I am so grateful I have gotten to experience it multiple times).”
