The Heart Behind the Brand | Courtney Griffin Photography Houston Newborn Photographer

I have been a photographer for as long as I can remember.

Really. One year as a child, all I wanted for Christmas was a camera. Once I got that camera, the first thing I wanted to do was take it in to Houston Camera Exchange to get a professional camera because I had seen a commercial from them (this was in the 90’s y’all) advertising that they would take your old camera and exchange it for a new one. My 8 year old self did not understand this concept and thought they would take ANY camera I received for Christmas and would give me an even BETTER one!!

Fast forward a few years and I was in the height of my nerdiness. I was awkward with asthma and glasses and did not understand my worth or beauty. But at 10 years old I still loved dress up and photos so for my birthday my gift was to have a “dress up photoshoot.” When I saw myself in those images I felt BEAUTIFUL!! I think it was that moment when I realized good portrait photography changes someone’s self esteem and help them see their value and true potential. Now I see that it captured a sweet season in my life.

I didn’t realize what it was I loved about photography, but mostly it was LIGHT. The way light bounced off of walls and made shadows and reflections intrigued me. I would climb trees just to get a better view of the light shining through the leaves and I would sit in AWE of God’s creation. He made beautiful things and He sure loves us.

I photographed young families and friends throughout college and started my business shortly after graduation. Even though I was a business OWNER, I was not an entrepreneur and I did not give give my photography the time or attention it demanded to truly be successful. I was busy with other things, GOOD things, like becoming a mom and pouring into my marriage and family…but after the birth of my third child, something changed. I realized this business of mine could be a blessing to other families and my own, but I would have to nurture it and help it grow. If I did that, I would have to truly give it my ALL and make sure I was maximizing my work time. I am a mompreneur. I mom hard and I work hard and any time I spend away from my children is truly valuable, but my time WITH them is even more so. I realize that. THIS SEASON IS FAST!! It will be over before I know it so I am doing my best to cherish my children every day and help my clients do the same through heirloom quality images and products.

So why a rebrand??

I wanted the outward appearance of Courtney Griffin Photography to reflect the changes I made to my business this year. I came back from maternity leave with a renewed vision and mission for my business. “My” photography became less about me and more about you. My goal is to help you remember whatever season you are in because life is fast and precious and each season SHOULD BE REMEMBERED. Beautiful images can help you do that.

I worked with Kelsea from Kindly by Kelsea to create my new brand. We worked together to curate a gorgeous mood board that reflected the spirit of Courtney Griffin Photography. We went back and forth to create a timeless, fresh logo with a warm and happy color palette. The submark and the logo for the lifestyle blog is an interwoven C and G with a heart. One of the goals of my photos is for people to feel the love of their family when they look at their images and the hint of hearts throughout this submark conveyed that perfectly. I loved this submark so much she turned it into one of my brand patterns. The other patterns incorporate nature and legacy (remember my story about climbing trees to see God’s light??). The rings of a tree trunk leave a legacy similar to the way each generation leaves a mark on the one before…this was the inspiration for the pink and rose gold pattern. When I first saw it I was blown away. It represents the heart of my brand in a tangible way.  And the fern pattern represents new life and creation.  So the three patterns of my brand represent life, legacy, and love – three things I am definitely about. 

Be blessed,

Courtney