Behind the Scenes: Preparing a Brand for a Major Conference

When my brother Jeromē asked me to do photos for his company, Higher Impact Entertainment, for an upcoming conference in New York City, the mission was clear: create bold, versatile marketing images that could be used on banners, flyers, marquees and digital platforms.

Higher Impact Entertainment travels nationwide to deliver motivational programs and anti-bullying assemblies for schools (and actually a LOT more, you should check it out!) and now, they’re expanding into family-friendly shows at venues across the country.

For this huge convention, the goal was to make a big first impression, and that meant the photos had to capture energy, personality, and professionalism all at once.

The Challenge

Even though the shoot was relatively simple: just Jeromē in character/cosutme, the mascot Funkey Munkey, and a few props, the stakes were high.

We needed images that:

• Highlighted the brand’s personality and energy

• Showed the human side of the brand

• Were versatile enough to work across banners, flyers, marquee posters, and social media

• Could be captured quickly and efficiently, without losing creativity

Basically, every photo had to do double duty, and look great in both print and digital formats.

Conference marketing poster for higher impact entertainment with photos of Jerome and funkey munkey

Also there wasn’t a lot of time between scheduling the photoshoot and the conference in New York City. Marketing materials had to be ordered asap and arrive before the flight to New York. Oh, and it was right in the middle of the holiday season. Spoiler alert – we nailed it!  

My Approach In Planning the Branding Session

To make sure the photoshoot delivered on all those goals, I made sure we were on the same page from the very beginning.  There are the three main areas I focused on:

1. Planning ahead
   Before the session, we mapped out the types of shots needed: full-body mascot poses, portraits with Jeromē in character, fun interactions, and images that could scale for banners, flyers and posters. This ensured we didn’t miss any “must-have” shots.

2. Capturing personality
   During the photoshoot, I focused on lighting, angles, and playful interaction to capture authentic energy and character. I wanted each photo to feel approachable, fun, and professional.

3. Editing for versatility
   After the photoshoot, I polished the images to be bright, bold, and adaptable for any marketing use. From conference banners to marquee posters to social media posts, these images are ready to make an impact. All the images were delivered with both a white background and transparent background. 

Visual Highlights

Each photo tells part of the story: Funkey Munkey’s charm, the brand’s mission, and the energy of a company that’s ready to inspire kids and families nationwide.

Even a seemingly simple branding photoshoot requires careful planning and execution. Here’s what I love about projects like this:

• Versatility matters: Planning ahead ensures images work across multiple platforms and marketing needs.

• Energy and personality sell: Photos should tell your brand’s story at a glance, whether it’s a mascot or a business owner.

• Professional guidance pays off: A photographer can help you look your best and create a visual library you’ll actually use.

Want Marketing-Ready Photos That Tell Your Story?

Whether you’re preparing for a big event, launching a new product, or refreshing your brand, I can help you create images that show off your personality, tell your story, and work hard for your marketing goals. Let’s create a visual library that makes your brand shine.