Because your business should reflect your life — beautiful, layered, and deeply personal.
The moment I realized I wanted more from my brand photos, I knew I had to break out of the studio.
Don’t get me wrong—there’s a time and place for crisp, curated backdrops. But this season? I wanted to capture something richer. Something real. The beachside discoveries. The dreamy hotels. The sweet, sacred chaos of motherhood. The quiet strength behind a woman who’s building more than a brand—she’s building legacy.
Because you’re not just another business owner. And neither am I.
We are women of impact.
Mothers and mentors. Visionaries and difference makers.
We build with intention. We lead with heart. We dream with our whole lives in mind.
I’m a storyteller and lifestyle entrepreneur. A snowbird mama chasing freedom and meaning. A multi-passionate woman of deep faith, inspired by the everyday magic all around me.
A deep conversation with a friend about a vacation home that could become a movement.
A stranger-turned-sister who walked away from burnout and built beauty in its place.
A boutique hotel lobby so thoughtfully styled, it whispers—this is how I want people to feel when they encounter my brand.
That’s what personal branding is really about.
Not algorithms. Not approval.
But atmosphere. Story. Identity. Impact.
For the longest time, I didn’t know how to show that.
But as I go deeper into what a freedom-based brand truly looks like—not what the marketing world tells us it should be—I’ve broken free from the noise.
I’m building something softer. Truer. More rooted.
Because women of impact don’t just create businesses.
We build movements. We shape narratives.
We make legacy look like real life.
This shoot was my way of honoring that.
I wanted to bring it all together in one beautiful, aligned moment – my love for family, the beach, aesthetic spaces, travel, and ease.
I also wanted to capture something special with Everly.
The mother-daughter dynamic has been a meaningful, complex part of my own story, and I felt called to honor that too—to gently highlight the beauty and emotion within it.
This wasn’t just a shoot. It was a declaration.
A quiet one. A soft and powerful one.
Planning a Lifestyle Shoot with Kids? Here’s What I Learned:
Be very clear about what you want. If you need guidance you can download my personal brand clarity workbook.
Get super clear and discover what is your vision? What do you want to feel about yourself? What do you want your dream audience to feel when they find you in the digital space? Then find the right people to help you make your vision come true.
I knew I wanted a beach scene and a cute hotel within walking distance because when you’re a mom with little ones, every step counts. I knew I wanted soft power, quiet confidence and to show others it’s essential to make small pivots towards your dream life.
Planning meant:
• Packing intentionally
• Coordinating nap schedules
• Talking my husband out of thinking this was just another wild idea
• Prepping for outfit changes, snack breaks, and smooth transitions
Teamwork, prayer, and pre-booked dinner reservations made the vision doable.
I had the joy of working with Yanna (yannaglamartistry), and in between moments of magic, she shared pieces of her life and family in Tampa. I always love hearing the behind-the-scenes stories—the real life beyond the work. It’s those moments that make it all feel more meaningful.
Enter: Ashley our photographer
From the moment I met her, I knew we’d make magic. She had the warmest smile and immediately understood my inspo. Even though her husband and daughter were waiting nearby, she never rushed the process. She just flowed with us. Calm. Focused. Patient.
While we captured the business side, Oliver got the kids ready. And just when golden hour hit, he brought them down. Our little angels in white, picture-perfect and ready. We transitioned, I changed, and prayed it wouldn’t be too crowded.
Plot twist. It was packed.
But Ashley made it work. No stress. No chaos. Just gentle guidance, quick thinking, and beautiful direction. Somehow, in the middle of the busiest beach in the city, she captured our essence. My brand. My family. Our lifestyle.
Looking at the photos, I can say:
I’m not crazy. I’m glad I went for it.
And now? I finally have branding photos that reflect the life I’m building, the business I’m growing, and the memories I want framed on our walls. Right here in our freedom-based hub. Also known as home.
Final Thoughts
And if you’re looking for someone who just gets it, book Ashley (@ashley_izquierdo).
She’ll cut through the chaos and make it feel like magic.
If you’re on the fence about booking a shoot, let this be your sign.
Don’t box your brand into a backdrop. Let it breathe. Let it tell a story.
Your story.
Live with purpose, Shirley Tran
Comments +