A New Identity for a Growing Business
When I first created the Reiley Photography identity, it was centered around celebrating the joy of everyday moments with families. A few years later, I had started photographing weddings as well and realized the brand needed to grow with me. The original identity carried a lot of personal meaning, so I didn’t want to simply replace it with something new. The new brand needed to reflect where my photography was going while still holding onto the feeling that had always been at the center of Reiley Photography.
Weddings
Families
Project Goals
- Create a more sophisticated identity that works equally well for weddings and families.
- Keep a sense of continuity with the original Reiley Photography brand.
- Develop a flexible visual system for consistent use across print and digital materials.
- Reflect the personal, documentary style of the photography without being overly formal.
Project Goals
- Create a more sophisticated identity that works equally well for weddings and families.
- Keep a sense of continuity with the original Reiley Photography brand.
- Develop a flexible visual system for consistent use across print and digital materials.
- Reflect the personal, documentary style of the photography without being overly formal.
Logo
I wanted the new logo to feel more timeless and sophisticated while still fitting the personality of Reiley Photography. As my work expanded into weddings, I simplified the design and let the typography become the main focus, creating an identity that felt more refined while still welcoming families.
Original identity, 2006 → Brand refresh, 2011
Icon
The handprint had been such a meaningful part of the original identity, so replacing it was not a decision I took lightly. The dragonfly became a new symbol for Reiley Photography, carrying forward the personal connection of the original brand while fitting naturally with the new direction.
Typography
I used classic serif typefaces for headlines and callouts, paired with a clean sans serif for body copy. A handwritten typeface added a more casual, personal element and kept the identity from feeling too formal.
Color Palette
I kept the signature blue from the original Reiley Photography identity as a small connection to the brand’s history. I paired it with soft gray and beige tones to create a quieter palette that let the photography remain the focus.
Business Cards
The business cards helped bridge the layered, handcrafted feel of the original identity with the more elegant direction of the new brand. I combined delicate textures, soft neutral tones, and the dragonfly icon with refined typography to create something personal without becoming overly playful.
Note Cards
I designed the note cards to be versatile pieces that could be used for any occasion, with plenty of room inside for a handwritten note. The textured background and dragonfly icon carried the new identity into client correspondence while keeping the design personal and warm.
Gift Certificates
I designed the gift certificates as 5×5 cards with space for a handwritten message, making the experience of giving photography more personal.
Digital Image Packaging
As digital image delivery became a larger part of the business, I wanted the presentation to feel just as thoughtful as receiving prints or an album. I designed branded packaging to give clients a more personal way to receive and keep their photographs.
Outcome
The new identity allowed Reiley Photography to grow with me as my work expanded into weddings. It felt natural for both wedding and family clients while still holding onto the personality and meaning that had always been part of the brand. The system gave me a flexible foundation that I could continue building on for years.
Outcome
The new identity allowed Reiley Photography to grow with me as my work expanded into weddings. It felt natural for both wedding and family clients while still holding onto the personality and meaning that had always been part of the brand. The system gave me a flexible foundation that I could continue building on for years.