I had the absolute pleasure of working with Kristian, also _iamsimplyk on Instagram—a fashion influencer, stylist, and all-around creative force—on her personal branding photography session. As someone juggling a demanding 9-to-5, a thriving content creation career, and a clear vision for her future, Kristian came to me with one goal: to elevate her online presence while staying true to her core values and passions.

This wasn’t just about pretty pictures (although there’s plenty of those). It was about capturing the essence of who Kristian is: a multi-dimensional creative navigating the saturated world of fashion and lifestyle content with authenticity, style, and heart.

Kristian’s Story: Fashion Meets Reality

Kristian’s journey into the fashion and content creation space began back in school, where she started experimenting with her curly hair and personal style. What began as a form of self-expression blossomed into an opportunity when brands started noticing her unique aesthetic and sending her samples. Fast forward to today, she’s balancing her corporate job with an ever-growing portfolio of collaborations, mood boards, and creative projects.

But like any creative, Kristian is figuring out the next step. The content creation world, while exciting, can feel overwhelming. Everyone is showcasing the highlight reel, but what about the behind-the-scenes? The late nights scheduling posts, the effort it takes to stand out, the balance between personal passion and brand obligations? These are the realities she faces and what she wants to share with her audience: the raw, unpolished truth behind her curated grid.

The Vision: A Personal Brand That Speaks to Her Values

For our session, we focused on three pillars that guide Kristian’s journey: Confidence, Connections, and Creativity.

Kristian isn’t just about fashion for the sake of fashion—she’s all about restyling, reusing, and helping others discover their personal style. Her mantra? “Rewear your clothes.” She’s also deeply passionate about merging her love of interior design and home décor with her style content, showing that the two can coexist beautifully.

Her ultimate goal? To grow her brand into something bigger. She dreams of collaborating with brands like Nordstrom, TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, and Amika. She wants to plan and capture events for brands and eventually share her story on podcasts and panels. Above all, she wants to help others find their voice in this space, emphasizing community over competition.

The Photoshoot: Showcasing the Real Kristian

Kristian’s photoshoot was designed to feel like her brand in visual form: polished yet personal, modern yet approachable. We used a studio with city warehouse vibes to set the scene. Here’s how we brought her vision to life:

1. Fashion-Forward Yet Practical
   Kristian styled key outfits, including a statement pieces, corset tops, and a tailored suit. These looks represented her versatility—someone who can slay a corporate meeting by day and pull off high-fashion editorial by night.
2. Polaroids + Mood Boards
   As someone who thrives on creativity, we incorporated props like Polaroid shots of her past work, mood boards, and styling racks to represent her process. These were a nod to her love for visually mapping out her ideas.
3. Home Décor and Lifestyle
   To tie in her love for interior design, we styled shots with her favorite home pieces—think chic martini glasses filled with bubbly and cozy personal décor elements. These details helped tell the story of how she’s merging her passions for style and lifestyle content.
4. Creative Direction in Action
   Some of my favorite shots captured Kristian in her element: taking photos, arranging her wardrobe, and sketching ideas. These images symbolize her dream of being the mastermind behind photoshoots and content creation, not just the face in front of the camera.

What’s Next for Kristian?

Kristian is at a pivotal point in her journey, figuring out where she wants to take her brand next. Whether it’s collaborating with her dream brands, hosting a podcast, or creating events that merge her many talents, one thing is clear: she’s determined to stay true to herself.

This branding session was more than just photos; it was a reflection of her hard work, resilience, and creativity. And as Kristian said herself, it’s not about saying “look at what I have” but instead, “come along with me.”

I’m so honored to have been part of this chapter in her journey and can’t wait to see where her story takes her next.

Are You Ready to Elevate Your Personal Brand?

If you’re ready to step into your next chapter with confidence, creativity, and visuals that reflect who you truly are, let’s connect. Whether you’re a stylist, a creator, or someone chasing a big dream, I’d love to collaborate with you to bring your vision to life!

Let’s create something amazing together.

Natalie Estess Photography
Where individuality meets editorial magic.