Branding photography for Brand Specialist, Graphic Designer & Mentor: Col Gray

Col Gray

Brand Specialist, Graphic Designer & Mentor

Col Gray is the mentor behind Rock Your Brand®, combining brand strategy, graphic design and mentoring with a wonderfully creative personality. This was not my usual setting, but it was exactly the kind of project I love. Colour, art, creativity and a brilliant conversation with someone who runs their own business.

A few words from Col:

Starting Point

Col wanted a collection of brand photographs that felt like him and reflected the creative energy behind his work. We were not looking for polished corporate portraits. We wanted something colourful, expressive and full of personality.

Challenge

The biggest thing was capturing Col naturally. He told me, “If you want me to smile, you have to keep me talking.”

So we talked. A lot.

Rather than asking Col to perform for the camera, we kept the conversation flowing and photographed the expressions and moments that happened naturally between the words.

Shooting Concept

We explored an urban location filled with colour, graffiti, texture and unexpected details. Some parts of the location looked like nothing special at first, but when we stepped back and looked differently, there was so much beauty and character to work with.

The colourful artwork became part of the visual story, creating a backdrop that felt energetic and creative while giving the photographs a strong sense of place.

I photographed Col as we moved through the environment, keeping the conversation going and allowing his personality to come through naturally. I came home with around 1,200 photographs to work through, looking for those little expressions that happened in between the words.

And then there was the music. Behind the warm, generous mentor is a heavy metal lover, another little part of Col that we wanted to let into the story.

Outcome

A vibrant and personality filled collection of brand photographs that feels unmistakably Col. The images bring together his creativity, warmth, expertise and individuality, giving him a visual library that reflects the person behind Rock Your Brand®.

Some locations look like nothing special, sometimes you have to see past the debris and focus on the beauty to see it. Our location from further back:

It is my big joy and pleasure to connect with brands and businesses and offer my support in bringing your visual identity to life through the magic of photography.