On Brand at Home. Toronto web designer’s second shoot, ditching the studio to be at home

There’s a time and place where a brand session in the studio makes sense.

You’re introducing yourself and what you do to the world. You want to come off as polished as possible, and studios naturally add that elevated feel, especially when you’re launching. It’s a look and a vibe. No one’s pretending this is where you actually work. Most people understand it’s a beautiful backdrop designed to show you at your best.

But after you’ve been established for a while, there’s also a time and place to shift.

To be surrounded by your space. Your things. The pieces of your life that actually inspire the work.

That was the case for my client Maria Fakhruddin, a web and digital designer and founder of Gumptious Designs, a website template shop. Our first shoot together was at The Mint Room, in a gorgeous, bright white space that really showcased her and gave her that clean, elevated brand foundation.

But after you’ve been established for a while, there’s also a time and place to shift. To be surrounded by your space and your things that actually inspire the work.

This time, we did something different. We shot in Maria’s home, the actual place where she designs, creates templates, and now records YouTube videos, talking about the intersection of design, life, and coaching women in business.

We started downstairs on the main floor, which has this authentic, cozy feel that really reflects who she is.

Then we moved upstairs to her tiny office, packed with books, her computer, and the setup where she does her design work. We also captured her new YouTube filming space, where all of her content is coming to life now.

Space-wise, it was tight. Definitely a challenge at times. But also? This is the real deal. We’re both thrilled with how they turned out. This round of photos feels more personal. More grounded. More her.

She’s at a stage where it’s not just about looking polished. It’s about letting people into her world a little bit. Showing her process. Sharing what she’s building and how she thinks.

You can check out her new YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@Maria-Fakhruddin

And see her gorgeous web template shop here: https://www.gumptiousdesignshop.com/

So now I’m curious…

Are you more of a studio person?
Or more of a home person?

Space-wise, it was tight. Definitely a challenge at times.

But also? This is the real deal.

And that’s what makes these images hit differently.

We’re both thrilled with how they turned out. This round of photos feels more personal. More grounded. More her.

She’s at a stage where it’s not just about looking polished. It’s about letting people into her world a little bit. Showing her process. Sharing what she’s building and how she thinks.

And that shift shows.

So now I’m curious…

Are you more of a studio person?
Or more of a home person?

If you’re interested in talking about an in-home personal brand session, book a strategy call below.