the Blog
Introducing Photo Narrative
At our core is a love for true grass roots movement, genuine relationships, and good branding. Our creative process is founded upon a strong story told with images, connected through moments of significance, captured by a camera. This love for story telling has only grown as we have continued down this journey of owning our own small business. Thus, PHOTO NARRATIVE was born.
Combining our passion for business, people, and images that communicate feeling we noticed a gap in the ability of businesses to create a relationship with their audience in a way that felt fresh and tailor-made. PHOTO NARRATIVE creates that gateway from business to consumer, narrowing the gap and building the bridge.
It is our goal through this new branch of Derk’s Works to continue our devotion to capturing and sharing the heart and soul of passionate living. Through PHOTO NARRATIVE, we’ll freeze the moments that encapsulate your business and show the movement that tells your brand’s story. This process takes on a few forms, some simple and some more involved; no matter the level, we can’t wait to help share your story!
Headshots
Simple though they may be, we believe in a headshot that is as unique as you and your business. On a traditional paper backdrop or something more specialized and complex, we stick to making you the center of attention.
In Your Element
There is something special about finding your niche and digging deeply into the work that comes with it. We are here for those moments that make your work special, so you can share your passion for your business with the world.
Video
Sometimes movement is the most effective way to share your message. Our PHOTO NARRATIVE videography has mastered the mix of light, sound, and story. Your action-packed day carries the heartbeat of your narrative.
Consulting
Two parts visual and one part brain power, we proudly offer straight up consulting as a stand alone service or as a compliment to our implementation. Jennifer brings 10 years of corporate sales experience and strategy to the table while Benjamin brings 10+ years of small business expertise and understanding. Sometimes you just need ideas and a clear game plan, we would love to put our moxie to work for you in sales, brand strategy, and social media marketing.
Our passion for brand strategy is backed by a decade of growing and adapting to a fiercely competitive industry, perfectly paired with years of corporate experience and strategic sales positioning combined with a drive for small business. Top it all off with expertise in social media marketing and a devotion to new trends, old trends, and finding your trend; we have exactly what you need to set you apart in your market.
The wait is over and PHOTO NARRATIVE is officially here, ready to take your business to the next level of relating to your customers. Let’s get the conversation started.
Twenty Seventeen
2017, WORDS TO LIVE BY
As we kicked off the new year, Jenn and I set aside a little time to do some planning and thinking about what we wanted to aim for in 2017. We talked through some straight forward ideas as well as some abstract stuff, but as we started, Jennifer had the keen idea to start with a list of words that globally defined how we wanted our brand to be viewed, felt, and embodied throughout the year. As you well know, the big problem with resolutions is keeping them in front of your face all year long. So I decided to make a desktop background, to hold myself accountable to the goals we set. These goals go beyond what I want for Derk’s Works, it is also what I want for myself. So here it is, thank you for continuing on this journey with us.
(If you’d like the background too, you can click on the picture a few times and it will show you the full resolution version that you can save and use, or you can always email us and we’d be happy to send it over.)
TWENTY SEVENTEEN – BE:
CENTERED
That is to say, I long to be in balance. Hard to believe but, I too am after the Holy Grail of work / life balance. I want priorities to be in their place, I want people to always come before things, to be grounded and stable as life around me shifts. I want my family to always feel prioritized and every client to know that I am on their team 100%.
PRESENT
I want to be known for giving it all to the task at hand. I want the person I’m having any conversation with to know that I’m listening, not just to their words but what they’re feeling. When I look back at some of my favorite work, I know that it represents the moments when I was in a singular place free from distractions.
GENEROUS
There are times, places, and spaces when the normal should be thrown out the window. I’m not talking about giving discounts or doing a few shoots a year for free (though I also want to do more styled shoots with awesome folks), I’m talking about running our photography business in a way that provides for more than just ourselves. We have a big idea on this topic that I hope to share very soon, but in the meanwhile, I want you to know that I plan on dragging you into this idea along with us :)
EXCEPTIONAL (yes, I know the image says “awesome”.. the letters fit better)
Every year, I look back and challenge myself to do better. Each shoot, each email, each edit poses new opportunity to do better. Some avenues have more room for improvement than others (lookin’ at you email), but I never want to take this goal off my list. There is a lot to be said for contentment in other avenues of life, here, I want to be relentless.
GRATEFUL
Through it all I know that I/we are not here alone. The trust you have put in us with your most precious moments and memories has been astounding and I would be foolish if I thought I was here because of straight talent. I don’t want to simply give lip service though, I want to conduct our business in a way that shares that joy and perpetually shows gratitude for everything that comes our way.
So I’ll start now, thank you for reading this. Thank you for your encouragement and kindness along the way. Thank you for taking part in our lives and letting us share in yours. I’m looking forward to this year, and I’m glad that you are a part of it.
-Benjamin
These are terrific