Sunflowers & Sketchbooks: Storytelling Portraits for An Artist and Writer
Jenna with her Mum’s typewriter
The Brief
Jenna Martin Leitch is an artist and writer based in Fife. Her work is inspired by the great outdoors, birds in particular, and her childhood surrounded by wildlife. In her own words:
“Through open-hearted & wide-eyed observation of the natural world, her intricate and detailed works are filled with wonder and imagination. The tiny details that may go unnoticed, and the treasures she finds along the way. She creates works to bring JOY!”
This brand storytelling shoot aimed to capture Jenna in her natural habitat - quiet, sunshiney moments that celebrate her creativity and the comforting home workspaces woven into her everyday routine. From writing at the dining table, to painting in her studio and talking a walk in nature to gather inspiration.
Jenna’s brand colours are bright yellow, pale pink, and soft blue. We planned to incorporate these throughout with her outfit and accessories choices, stationery, sunflowers, her favourite yellow mug, and other carefully chosen objects which play a part in her day-to-day life.
Shoot Day
Jenna spent a lot of time preparing her home and workspaces to showcase her work and inspiration. This made things run smoothly on shoot day as we have everything on hand (packaging materials, sketchbooks, her Mum’s typewriter, etc) to go through the shot list and capture a range of storytelling portraits and dreamy details.
We started with a typewriter set up in the conservatory, framed with sunflowers to tie in the colour palette. I asked Jenna to flick through her notebooks and type if she felt like it so she would begin with a familiar activity to help her relax. After that we photographed a selection of portraits in this space, some around themes of reading and writing, others playing at hosting an exhibition and packing customer orders.
Next, we went into Jenna’s treasure trove of a studio. This cosy space was filled to the brim with details - each a story in its own right. Jenna sketched, painted and scribbled while I snapped some candid images, followed by lots of interiors vignettes. I felt like I was documenting a museum of her life, in the best possible way. What a privilege to be trusted into a space like this!
We finished with a walk in the nearby woods for some outdoor portraits, Jenna brought her wee sketchbook and heirloom binoculars.
The Results
The gallery is such a joyful snapshot into Jenna’s work and life. I love how the colours came together across the collection to give the images a curated yet authentic feel. You can feel the quiet comfort of the moments Jenna finds to create in her home around her busy life.
Jenna in her conservatory where she often writes
Close up of Jenna’s desk
Client Thoughts
“Jilly is amazing, and helped me tell my story though a recent branding shoot, to perfection. She understands my ‘why’ from having done many product photoshoots for me previously (her work is impeccable!). The planning prior to my shoot was an ongoing conversation, culminating in a vision board, and timetable with images and ideas, so we could organise the day. I felt at ease throughout, and Jilly’s level of professionalism was outstanding. She is just the loveliest person, so I automatically felt I could be myself (trusting her to make my studio, my inspirations, and any portraits taken look our best!) and I am beyond happy with the results. Jilly’s work and photography are just what I needed to best capture the intricacies and details of my work spaces, tell my story, and talk of me and my creative journey and hopes for the future.”
Jenna in her natural habitat
If you too are looking for creative personal brand photography, I can help with that! I’m a product and brand photographer based in Dundee, working with clients across the UK. You can find my packages here, check out more of my work here, and getting your booking started here.