El & Ana Studios
Project Description
El and Ana Studios offers an intentional and inclusive photography service designed for small businesses, POC communities, and LGBTQ+ audiences looking for a safe, collaborative, and affirming creative experience. The studio prioritises human connection above all else, taking a mindful, friendly pace that allows clients to feel seen, comfortable, and able to express themselves authentically. The goal of the rebrand was to communicate this unique combination of professionalism, empowerment, and sustainability through a visual identity that feels warm, fluid, and creatively grounded.
Challenge
The brand needed to capture El and Ana’s core values without blending into the minimal, overly neutral aesthetic commonly found in contemporary photography studios. Their clients — many of whom come from marginalised communities — needed to immediately feel welcomed, represented, and safe when they encountered the brand. At the same time, the identity had to convey the studio’s professional standards and creative expertise. The challenge was finding the balance between inclusivity and sophistication, designing a brand that felt soft but not sentimental, bold but not harsh, and expressive without feeling chaotic or exclusive.
Approach
My approach centred on the emotional experience of stepping into a space where you can finally be yourself. El and Ana’s work is not just about capturing images; it is about creating trust, offering comfort, and giving people permission to be fully authentic. To translate this into visual form, I explored design elements that felt fluid, organic, and human. Warm tones, soft shapes, and approachable typography were combined with structured composition to maintain professionalism. The brand voice was shaped around reassurance, empowerment, and openness — speaking directly to individuals who have not always felt represented in visual spaces.
Solution
The final identity is welcoming, fluid, and deeply human. The visual language combines a gentle typographic system with natural, expressive shapes that hint at movement, diversity, and individuality. The colour palette moves away from cold neutrals and instead embraces earthy, inclusive tones that feel safe and inviting. Graphic elements were developed to emphasise the idea of collaboration and creative exchange, allowing the brand to adapt seamlessly across digital platforms, printed materials, and client-facing touchpoints. The result is a brand identity that feels modern and professional, while still holding space for emotion, playfulness, and authenticity.
