Learn & Grow Through Reflection with Katie’s End of Year Journal Prompts

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Just like when I developed the sudden need for a sensible shoe, I’m now someone who needs to actively take care of their mental health every single day. For me, this means being conscious of what I eat and drink, how I exercise my body and mind, who I let into my life, where I direct my energy, and most importantly, how I talk to myself.

On top of using words like ‘biodynamic’ and ‘shadow self’ in a sentence, I’ve become increasingly aware of how hard I can be on myself. From the conversations I’ve had with friends, I suspect a lot of us are feeling this way. (Oh, how I long for the days when an iced coffee, bagel and belting out an Adele song in the car was the only fuel required to remind us of our power!)

It could be the constant comparison game we’re forced to play when we hop on social media, the confronting reality of the cost of living crisis or how polarized society has become, but man, do I feel like I’m barely keeping up or ‘not enough’ sometimes. In a quest to show more self-compassion, I’ve done what any red-blooded woman would do; I’ve devoured wisdom from people like Glennon Doyle, James Clear and Brené Brown. But possibly the most helpful thing I’ve done is start journaling.

At first, I journaled to get my emotions onto the page and out of the control room of my body. But pretty quickly, I found journaling to be a powerful way to reflect and show self-compassion. Have you ever noticed how much kinder we are to our friends when they’re having a low moment than we are to ourselves? We’re like hype girls, right?!!! We have no problem reminding them of how incredible, strong, capable and deserving they are…

Yet when we’re feeling flat or overwhelmed, it’s like we come down on ourselves with the rage of a teenage girl who was just told by her parents that she can’t go to a party. YOU’RE THE ABSOLUTE WORST. I HATE YOU. WHY CAN’T YOU JUST BE SOMEONE ELSE?

Long story short, when I find that I’m beating myself up or feeling like I don’t know where to start, I now turn to my journal and write to myself as if I were giving advice or showing compassion to my best friend. It’s shocking how kind I can be. Girl, you’ve got this. It’s okay that you made up a word during your presentation. Everybody does that. It’s your energy, heart and brilliance they’re after!

The other thing I love about journaling is how intentional it’s helped me become. As a long-time yogi, I always strive to make decisions and act in ways that align with my mind, body and spirit. By taking time to check in with myself on the page, I’ve found my life has become increasingly more authentic and positive.

And so, if there’s one gift I could give everyone this year, it’s the mental health tool of journaling. You may begin a daily practice, weekly check-in or only crack it open once a year and that’s okay. If you do opt for the latter, I’ve provided my go-to prompts for ultimate reflection and self-compassion.

End-of-year Journal Prompts to Help You Learn & Grow:

  • What went well this year?
  • What didn’t go well this year?
  • What did I learn about:
    • My values
    • My time-management
    • My expectations
  • What am I clear about now that I didn’t know at the start of the year?
  • Is there a particular situation I wish I’d handled differently? If yes, how would I change my reactions/actions?
  • Did I avoid any difficult conversations? If yes, what were they?
    • Are any of the above difficult conversations worth having in 2024?
  • When things felt dark, what activities/practices/conversations helped me find my light?
  • When things felt light, easy and abundant, did I let myself truly enjoy the moment?
  • If I could go back to the start of the year, what advice would I give myself?
  • Is there something I wish I could have had more of? (e.g. time, money, energy, guidance, fun, sleep, opportunities…)
    • If yes, how can I add more ________ into my life in 2024?
  • What habits and activities would you like to continue in 2024?

 

When I started Bryony & Birch in 2021, my hope was that it would be a place of home for whoever walked through its doors. So many of us had been stripped of our identities and our connection to friends/family in the wake of what unfolded in March 2020 that I was desperate for a chance to reclaim a sense of belonging while tapping into the powers of collaboration.

While collaboration is often used in a professional sense, I’d like you to think about how we can collaborate for the collective consciousness. What tools, habits, and mindsets can you share that will improve your mental health, as well as the mental health of your loved ones? Perhaps the best gift you can give someone this year is a notebook and pen.

“Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle, or your middle to someone else’s end. Don’t compare the start of your second quarter of life to someone else’s third quarter.”

― Jon Acuff

 

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group of women who comprise the bryony & birch photoshoot team

Behind the Scenes of an All-Inclusive Branding Photoshoot with the Bryony Crew

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group of women who comprise the bryony & birch photoshoot team

When it comes to getting branded photos done for your business, we’re not just talking to the entrepreneurs out there. These days, employees and entrepreneurs alike can benefit from a branded photoshoot. Elevate your sales team status, get branded photos to go with your LinkedIn posts, or do a full-blown website shoot – whatever your need, our crew has you covered.

But what does a branded photoshoot even entail? I tagged along with the Bryony crew for a day to see the full package of what they offer for a branded photoshoot, and let me tell you… they’ve left no stone unturned.

Step 1: Creative Planning

When you decide to do an all-inclusive branded photoshoot with Bryony & Birch, the first step in the process is strategy and creative planning. We’ll create a vision for the shoot, select a venue, schedule the day and start sourcing everyone who needs to be involved to make it happen. Whether we decide to shoot in the space at Bryony & Birch or on location at one of our diverse local venue options, we’ll make sure it’s booked and any necessary rentals are sourced, well before shoot day!

Step 2: Get Your Hair and Makeup Done

Having worked with women entrepreneurs for a full decade, I’ve seen a lot of great and not-so-great photoshoots. And let me tell you – when you invest in getting your hair and makeup done for the shoot, it pays off! A few hours before your shoot begins, you’ll come into Bryony & Birch (or we’ll come meet you on location) to make sure your hair and makeup looks feel natural, authentic to you, and camera-ready. Want to get inspired? Check out our hair stylist (and Bryony & Birch founder!) Katie Cavic, and our makeup artist, Janna Wojtas.

Step 3: Get Styled

Once your hair and makeup are done, it’s time to get styled. Our favorite stylist to bring into branded shoots is @mauibain from Newburyport’s Vaalbara. She’ll work with you beforehand, to learn a little about your personality, preferences and vision for the shoot. On photo day, she’ll come armed with looks for you to try on and go with what feels uniquely you.

Step 4: Photoshoot!

Once you have your hair and makeup done, and your outfit on point, the only thing left to bring to the shoot is a big smile and a great attitude. Being the star of a photoshoot can definitely be uncomfortable and that’s why we recommend making it fun! Our two go to photographers, Kate Donovan Photography and Dawn Kingston are both experts at making the shoot feel fun, comfortable and most importantly – they get the shot!

How to Book a Branded Photoshoot at Bryony & Birch

We’re currently booking all-inclusive photoshoots for spring and summer 2023. Inquire at bookings@bryonyandbirchstudio.com to learn more.

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How to Reset & Renew at the End of the Year

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Sure, the holidays are busy. But there is also a lot of downtime while businesses shut down and employees are encouraged to take a break and spend time with their loved ones. What you do with that time, determines how you end your year. Here at Bryony & Birch, we’re all in favor of an intentional reset and renew – and we’ve outlined some of our favorite ways to do that below.

Organize the Year’s Best Photos

If you have a pet or a child, your phone probably looks pretty similar: it’s filled with photos of them. We know the drill – you take 10-20 shots in an effort to get the smile and then you move on with your life and forget to delete the outtakes, which results in an overwhelming camera roll that ultimately stops you from doing anything at all with the good shots.

This quiet time at the end of the year is the perfect space to go through and pick out the year’s best shots. Delete the outtakes or tuck them away in the cloud. Print, frame or do something creative with your favorite shots from the year and hand them up in your home. Being surrounded by recent photos of our loved ones is one of those things (alongside rugs and curtains) that makes a house a home.

Bake Something

I should start out by saying that I do not identify as a baker. I’m too much of a loosey goosey, salt-to-taste kind of gal. That said, when I bake, it’s because I’ve carved out a no-plans afternoon to do it. I’ll put a TV show on my iPad or a record on to set the vibe, make myself a fresh cup of coffee and take as much or as little time as I need to. And the best part is: later that day (or maybe right when it’s done) you have a fresh pie or some cookies to indulge in or share with friends.

Set the Phone Aside

It feels like all year long, I’m on my phone. When I’m not checking email or Instagram, I’m Facetiming with friends or texting to coordinate with caregivers or home projects. It’s honestly relentless, if you don’t set aside intentional no phone time. There’s no better time to do it then during the slow and cozy winter season. Take that week between Christmas and New Years to set aside your phone and instead focus on your people or taking a walk. A no phone reset may be the most important one of them all.

Practice Doing Nothing

This one is slightly controversial, but yes – do absolutely nothing. For some, that looks like laying on the couch with a good book and a cup of tea and for others, that means doing some yoga while the baby plays nearby. It doesn’t have to look a certain way because the point is for there to be no pressure at all about how you spend the time. Delight in your nothing, even for just an hour, and you’ll be surprised at how refreshed you may feel.

We’ll See You Next Year!

Anddd that’s a wrap! This being our final post in 2022, we can officially say, we’ll see you next year. We will be open from 9am – 8pm on Thursday, Dec. 22nd, for your last minute shopping needs and closed from Dec. 24th – 26th to celebrate the holidays with our loved ones. If your end-of-year reset & renew involves finally taking time to get your hair done, come in and see us –  you can book an appointment here.

Wishing you the happiest holiday season and new year, from our team to yours!

Behind Bryony: Designing Our Hair Salon & Yoga Studio

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Community is one of our core values at Bryony & Birch. We live, breathe and work hard for the betterment of our town and loved ones. We turn to our network to help us grow our brand, stock our shelves, hire talent and in this case – design our spaces.

Today we’re sitting down with Hillary Mateev, the architect & designer behind our beautiful salon space in Amesbury and yoga studio in Exeter and founder of Reading, MA based XP Architecture & Design.

Photo Credit: Kate Donovan Photography

Talk to me about the Bryony & Birch space. How would you describe the “vibe” of the Bryony & Birch salon interior?

Katie came to me with a vision for Bryony & Birch as a place that had a naturally comfortable vibe that reflected her eclectic taste. She wanted to make a living room where people wanted to hang out, listen to music and stay.

Photo Credit: Kate Donovan Photography

What was a design challenge you encountered and overcame in the space for the salon?

In any salon, there are certain processes that need to happen in a very specific progression: check in, consult with the stylist, get your hair washed, go back to the chair and begin a cut, etc. Because the Bryony & Birch space is very long and narrow, we were presented with the challenge of making every element of the client and stylist’s experience work seamlessly.

So here’s what we did: we used an extremely long countertop to accentuate the length of the space. We carved out a quarter of it to use as a private area for the staff to do their color mixing and keep their personal belongings and kept the rest of the counter going through to the end of the space and turned it in the front to create the reception desk. Using this subtle move of the continuation of the counter through these areas allowed several different areas throughout the space to be defined and also connected. It also ended up creating a very natural path for the clients to pass through to their stylist’s chair, after they checked in with reception.

Photo Credit: Kate Donovan Photography

Can you share something that inspired the design for the salon interior?

The founder, Katie, was the inspiration for the salon. We wanted it clean lines, easy to maintain, and neutral to allow for the details and items for sale to pop with color.

Photo Credit: Kate Donovan Photography

Now let’s talk about the new Bryony Body space in Exeter. What were some challenges or goals that you had to keep in mind throughout the design phase?

Bryony Body was a totally different animal. That space and layout were existing and we had less resources and time to work with. Instead of renovating, we just wanted to refresh the space and tie the Bryony & Birch brand and colors into it. The name of the game in designing the Bryony Body space was reusing the colors we had used previously in Bryony & Birch and adding a layer of small design elements that reflected the vibe.

Photo Credit: Kate Donovan Photography

What is one of your favorite design elements of the Bryony Body space?

I really enjoyed working with Katie on picking subtle artwork that perhaps could have multiple interpretations. We worked hard on cleaning up the space in terms of providing benches and cubby holes where the patrons could keep their belongings during classes or procedures.

Photo Credit: Kate Donovan Photography

Can you tell us a little about your own design business and how you help small businesses with interior design and architecture?

I am currently undergoing an exciting new phase in my career. Using the experience from my previous companies and the success I had working on my own, I have agreed to merge with another firm, to take on the leadership and am in discussions on future ownership with my mentor and colleagues at Ruhl | Jahnes.

I have been in the business of architecture, exhibit design and interior design for around 20 years and my main purpose is to help to create meaningful experiences with space, to tailor the surroundings to better match the inhabitants. I do large and small scale work, but keeping in mind how the space and items within the space are used. I also understand that these places need to grow and work for the users, by evaluating what you do now and what you hope to do in the future.

You can view Hillary’s work and business at xp-and.com 

Photo Credit: Kate Donovan Photography

Take a deeper look behind Bryony

👉 Learn how to plan a photoshoot with our go to Amesbury photographer, Kate Donovan.
👉 Bryony Body: Meet your yoga instructor, Jessalynn Hudgins
👉 Meet the entrepreneur, hair stylist and yoga instructor behind Bryony: Katie Cavic

woman with camera in leather bag

Behind Bryony: How to Plan a Branding Photoshoot

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Create a color story

Keep your brand color palette in mind from the start. If you don’t have a style guide, upload your color palette to a program like Coolors or create a Pinterest board and share it with your team, so that everyone is on the same page about the colors that should be in the shoot. Trust us, you don’t want a random orange pillow getting in the way! Keeping your color palette in mind, select a couple outfit options that Keep the new brand color palette in mind for all of the shot details. All backgrounds should be light, neutral and minimal and any pops of color should be either a matching shade of blue, dusty rose, or a simple plant.

Choose a venue and time of day that fits your vibe.

If you’re going for a natural and organic vibe, you’ll want to find a photoshoot venue that has big windows and a lot of natural light. If you want the lighting to feel soft, and not contain too many harsh shadows, be sure to chat with your photographer ahead of time to discuss the best times of day for the shoot.

Did you know that at Bryony & Birch, we have a photo studio that’s ready and equipped with everything you need? Check out The Space at Bryony and email bookings@bryonyandbirchstudio.com for more information and to request your dates.

Help your web designer out: consider photo orientation.

When shooting for a website, a landscape or portrait view works, as long as there is plenty of blank space surrounding the subject… aka, you! That space allows your web designer to add a text overlay on the photo, which gives an open and elegant feel to the website.

Make a shot list

The best way to show up prepared for the big photoshoot day is with a shot list. This is a list of every single photo that you want to make sure to get in your allotted time. If you want certain outfits and/or props for certain scenes, make sure to mark them down! And if you’re shooting a team, make sure to map out every headshot or group shot needed. It can get hectic with a ton of people, so having a list will ensure everyone gets their photo taken.

Photoshoot tips from a photographer

We sat down with our resident photographer, Kate Donovan, to ask her for some tips for branding photoshoot success.

What kind of creative direction do you need a business owner to prepare ahead of time for a branding shoot?

We typically have a creative meeting and create a mood board, discuss props and attire to bring prior to the shoot.

What should someone wear for a branding shoot?

Bring options! For a 1-hour shoot, I encourage clients to bring 2 options, one casual and one more formal. For a 2-hour shoot, we can shoot 2-4 looks. We discuss brand colors and what to stay away uncomfortable clothing prior to the session.

Is it better to do a branding shoot outside or indoors?

We definitely try to utilize both. We make the most of our time by planning ahead, changing outfits and location during the shoot. So lucky to be located right downtown Amesbury and often utilize brick, cobblestone, and downtown backdrop!

Last tip: have fun!

Photoshoots are one of those very few adult moments that make us feel a little bit like a rockstar. Have fun with it and dive in fully. Get your hair, nails and makeup done (we can help with that!) And maybe bring a bottle of champagne (or two!) and make a special playlist. Keeping the vibe fun and lighthearted will make everyone feel comfortable and when everyone is feeling good, that’s when the best photos are taken!

Meet Your Yoga Instructor: Jessalynn Hudgins

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We had the pleasure of sitting down last week with Jessalynn Hudgins – yoga instructor, holistic wellness consultant and the studio manager at Bryony Body, our yoga studio in Exeter, NH. She taught us all about her journey with wellness, yoga and everything in between. Keep reading to learn more about how she’s actively changing the stigma around mental health in the workplace all while helping people find their zen.

Jessalynn sees yoga as her lifeline.

Credit: Kate Donovan Photography

Her peaceful escape from her high-functioning lifestyle. Fifteen years ago, she was in the heart of her career working in finance. She had a self-described “work hard, play hard” mindset and pushed herself to extremes mentally and physically. Yoga was a way for her to counteract any unhealthy choices she was making at the time.

After leveraging a few different roles in the business world, she found herself at the peak of her finance career working in operations for a distinguished private equity firm. This was high-producing, yet quickly became toxic and shut their doors, leaving her jobless. Jessalynn decided this was the perfect opportunity to chase one of her longtime dreams: visiting Bali and receiving her yoga certifications.

She headed straight to Bali in 2019 and began an intensive month-long yoga certification process. Six days a week beginning at 6am each day, Jessalynn learned the power and challenge of stillness in addition to understanding where anatomy and philosophy meet.

A fresh perspective on wellness

Credit: Kate Donovan Photography

Fast forward to the Spring of 2020, just as the pandemic began, she moved to Newburyport with a fresh perspective on wellness. Soon after she met Katie and was introduced to the Bryony and Birch family in, what felt like, divine timing. She began teaching through the Bryony Body studio while simultaneously creating her own wellness consulting business, Whole Health Wellness.

Jessalynn’s consulting business merges her business expertise with her passion for health. It’s been a labor of love, but extremely rewarding to work with local businesses. Her biggest challenge is getting the decision maker of each company to understand the power of providing health and wellness services for their employees. From there she works with her clients to supply services ranging from physical and emotional counseling to nutritional guides from registered dietitians, to financial security coaching. All her services are assisted by providers certified in their fields.

Jessalynn’s lifestyle has changed quite a lot since moving out of the finance realm. She finds that her yoga practice keeps her zen and centered and she keeps her hands (and heart) full by managing the Bryony Body studio.

When asked what the #1 misconception about yoga is, she tells us it’s the idea that you need to be flexible. She finds that being flexible in the mind actually trains your body to follow and you come to realize it isn’t just about the body, but the 8 limbs that yoga is built on, which becomes very spiritual.

Finding her support system

When she isn’t teaching yoga or consulting, Jessalynn enjoys having strong self-care practices. She has a green thumb with a house full of plants. She also has a white fluff-ball cat named Elle that she adores. When asked what it means to be an empowered woman, she says it all starts with having an awesome support system, which Bryony and Birch is for her. Not only as business partners but also as friends. Her favorite quote and mantra is “A rising tide lifts all boats.” To her this means staying positive and uplifting all those around her.

You can stay in touch with Jessalynn by following @wholehealthwellnessusa and learn more about Bryony Body here.

New Year, New Business? Here Are 3 Things You Need To Know Before Launching

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If this is the year you’re bringing a new business to life, you’ve come to the right place.

As a collective of entrepreneurs, we’ve successfully planned and launched over ten businesses between us, including Bryony & Birch. We’ve done a whole lot of wrongs, a whole lot of rights and a whole lot of learning.

When it comes to business, everyone has their own style. Some people need fifty page business plans with clear objectives, milestones and a detailed projection of how their business can scale. Others opt for the more organic approach of – let’s just hit ‘go’ and see where it leads us. We’ve seen both of these models work, however, it’s because the founders all knew three very important things.

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1.) Assumptions Are Not Your Friend (However, You Need to Identify Them)

It doesn’t matter if you’re launching an app or are selling handmade macrame coasters, it’s easy to make assumptions about who your potential customer is, why they’re going to be satisfied with your product or service as well as your ability to deliver.

When you make assumptions, you can often end up limiting your success and/or leaving yourself vulnerable to unexpected bumps along the way. (Such as a global pandemic.) As soon as you start conceptualizing your business, become aware of the assumptions you’re making and question why you’ve come to that conclusion. Challenge yourself by doing market research, testing your brand’s messaging and looking at case studies of similar businesses.

One of our clients has an organic pima cotton clothing company. They made the assumption that they’d always be able to get their clothing manufactured ethically in Peru and shipped on time. 2020 proved them wrong. After realizing they had all of their eggs in a Peruvian basket, they’ve now minimized their risk of production issues by getting a US-based supplier and manufacturer as well.

Another client of ours assumed her customer base would just be on Instagram. It is one of the places they’re active, but do you know where else her customers hang out? Pinterest. By not sticking to the assumption that Insta was the place to be, she tested a handful of social platforms and discovered an even bigger potential customer base.

Don’t assume you know who your customer is.
Don’t assume you know how your customer will find you.
Don’t assume you’ll always have access to materials and labor.
Don’t assume that people will understand your offering.
Don’t assume that you can simply ‘set and forget.’

By consciously identifying your assumptions, you’ll push yourself to not only think bigger, but also find ways to minimize the risk of missing the mark with your communication and/or developing a kink in your supply chain.

2.) It’s Never Too Early To Start Gaining Traction

Just because your shop doors aren’t open or web sales aren’t live yet doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be creating buzz about your business or testing the market.

One of the ways we’ve done this is by creating a website with a blog so that we can start publishing informative, entertaining and share-worthy content to help spread our message. We’ve found that taking potential customers on our business journey can help them become emotionally invested and ‘sold’ even before we’re open for business. Blogs are also very good for helping optimize your website for search engines.

Another way is to start engaging on social platforms such as Reddit, Facebook or Instagram. So much of a brand’s success depends on a community so don’t forget to focus on how you’re going to cultivate an online presence that provides value to your business and your customer.

Of course, so many things can also happen online! It doesn’t matter if you’re working in a space such as sustainable fashion, tech or food – head to industry networking events, try to get on panels, provide commentary on podcasts or pitch an op-ed to a local (or major) newspaper.

While the major benefit is building a customer base before you even hit go, you’ll also be able to learn from your following and feedback things like: Is my messaging clear? Are customers accepting my price point? Will people help my product/service go viral?

3.) There’s More to Branding Than a Logo

When most people think of the word ‘brand’ they think of iconic logos such as Nike, Apple and McDonald’s. The truth is there is so much more than clever design.
When creating your brand, be sure to think about what your brand’s voice is, what your brand’s aesthetic is and how your brand can effectively communicate its values.

Are you formal or informal? Informative or opinionated? Playful or serious? Do you want your customers to know your political stance? What about social causes you care about?

While a logo and color palette is a must, don’t forget about brand photography. With so many businesses operating websites and on social media, it’s more important than ever to have strong brand photography. We’ve written about the importance of brand photography here, but essentially, you’re going to want to ensure that everything from your brochures to your billboards to your profile pictures tells the story of who you are, what you care about and how you can enrich someone’s life.

We feel so strongly about brand photography that we’ve actually created an all-inclusive package.

What is the Bryony + Birch All-Inclusive Branding Package?

At Bryony & Birch, we offer a lot of different services and products. From hairdressing to yoga to reiki to wedding prep packages, we have a lot going on and a lot to let our customers know.

Having brand photography that showcases our events, experiences, expertise and energy has allowed us to not only launch a retail space in the midst of a global pandemic, but also thrive both on and offline.

As a collective of people who’ve launched quite a few businesses, we know exactly what it takes to get a solid gallery of versatile brand photos, which is why we came up with the all-inclusive Bryony & Birch branding package.

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

  • Hair and makeup
  • Product shots
  • Headshots
  • Catered lunch
  • Exclusive use of the Bryony + Birch studio space
  • Photos with Kate Donovan Photography

If you’re a business in the North Shore looking for brand photography, we’re your people. Click here to learn more and to book your package today!

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A Holiday Note from Bryony & Birch Founder: Katie Cavic

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As our second pandemic holiday season rolls around, I want to take a moment to say just how grateful I am for the gift that is the Amesbury, MA community.

Never in my life could I have imagined Bryony & Birch becoming what it is today: an ever-evolving collective of locals who love creating, collaborating and coming together to help each other thrive.

I knew launching a business in the midst of a pandemic would be difficult, but I didn’t realize that the numerous challenges would bring so many silver linings. (A pleasant surprise to say the least!)

Having limitations made us think outside the box, adapt the way we communicate (with our clients and with ourselves) and prioritize our values. Sometimes this meant conducting virtual yoga classes. Other times (for us hairdressers and photographers) it was finding ways to reinvent ourselves so we could still offer our craft even if weddings weren’t able to go ahead. Many times, it was finding a meditation practice that helped us stay centered and grounded.

Perhaps the thing I’m most proud of is how we managed to expand our reach. From creating Porch Fest to establishing Bryony Body in Exter, NH, the Bryony & Birch team has achieved things I thought were deep into the pipeline. (I thought these were five-year plans!) This is a true testament to Amesbury’s incredible residents and visitors.

Over the last two years, our little North Shore town banded together in the most heart-warming and soul-soothing way and I feel so honored to be part of it. It didn’t matter if it was local small businesses coming out to Porch Fest to do a pop-up stall or the generosity of those who championed our brand and mentored us – we felt like we were and ARE in a family.

I also want to thank the Bryony & Birch team near and far. We have yoga instructors, hairdressers, web designers, photographers, videographers, brand content consultants, wedding planners, reiki and crystal healing practitioners and even woodworkers making the Bryony & Birch dream a reality.

I often wonder when holidays will feel ‘normal’ again. With each Memorial Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas that I get to physically be near the people I love, I also wonder if I’ll maintain the same level of awareness and gratitude that I’ve come to have living in a world with COVID-19. Never in my life have I valued the simple gift of being in someone’s presence and vice versa.

If you’re able to be with the ones you love this season, embrace them in your arms.
If you’re unable to be with the ones you love this season, embrace them in your heart

Wishing you the happiest holiday season and the most magnificent welcome of 2022.

Bryony & Birch Founder

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Brand Photography: 6 North Shores Businesses Doing it Right

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You may have already nailed your brand’s logo and color codes, but what about your photography?

As our attention spans become increasingly shorter, it’s more important than ever to have visual messaging for your brand. It doesn’t matter if you’re brewing beer in Amesbury or baking biscuits in Beverly, North Shore business owners need to be able to capture a prospective or current customer’s interest in a matter of seconds.

In this article, we’ll go over:

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What is Brand Photography?

Brand photography is a collection of images that can be used across multiple platforms to convey your brand’s voice, image, tone, team, products, services and/or values. From product shots to headshots to workspaces, they are intended to not only be emotive, entertaining and informative, but also prompt your prospective and current customers to act on your desired call to action.

More and more, we’re seeing brands shift from traditional brand photography and embrace what many refer to as ‘lifestyle photography.’ Still sitting under the brand photography umbrella, lifestyle photography is the perfect combination of staged and candid scenes that show customers how they’ll feel when they engage with your brand, product or service.

Most importantly, brand photography is intended to provide consistency to the overall brand story you’re telling.

Benefits of investing in Brand Photography

While strong photography is imperative and incredibly beneficial for a company’s website, print assets and in-store signage, it’s also crucial for standing out on social media platforms.

According to Hootsuite, Instagram has over 1 billion users a month and 130 million of them tap on shopping posts within that time frame. With so many social platforms depending on visual media to encourage online shopping, now’s the perfect time to use elevated brand photography to convert followers into customers.

Unlike traditional product photography (think a white box and a bottle of wine), brand photography is much more versatile because it can be used across multiple platforms and engaged with on a deeper level.

Here are a few ways you can use brand photography:

  • On your website and in blog content
  • In both organic and paid social posts
  • In print assets such as brochures, business cards and posters
  • In presentations and training materials
  • In a printed/ digital newsletter
  • In your online course content
  • In your media kit

Now let’s take a look at six North Shore Businesses that are doing brand photography right!

6 North Shore Businesses Doing Brand Photography Right

Wild Tribe Wellness

Wild Tribe Wellness is Amesbury’s go-to for holistic massage, polarity, reiki, myofascia release and CBD treatments. Through the use of warm light and candid photos of their treatments in action, viewers immediately feel calm, centered and in need of exactly what Wild Tribe Wellness has to offer!

Hempire

With both brick and mortar and online retail spaces, Hempire uses brand photography to not only get people to shop online, but to also get them to walk through their doors. Even though hemp and CBD products are becoming increasingly popular, they still require an element of educating, which is where Hempire nails it with their photography. While it exudes this laidback, healthy and whole lifestyle, it also offers the viewer insight into the many benefits of hemp.

The Greeley Girls

When it comes to telling a compelling brand story, The Greeley Girls know what’s up. Consisting of three generations of fashion lovers, these sustainable clothing resellers use their photos to not only showcase and sell the pieces they’ve collected and sourced over the years, but also the beautiful bond three women can share.

Tayla David Yoga, Reiki + Macrame

Tayla David uses brand photography brilliantly to get people on yoga mats on the North Shore as well as onto her Etsy page to shop her macrame products. When it comes to connecting with an instructor, healer and artist, brand photography can help convey personalities, tone and ultimately make you more approachable.

Vaalbara

There are a lot of bags in the world, so why would people want to choose Vaalbara? The answers lie in their photography. Each image lets viewers learn that their bags are made with fabrics ethically sourced from around the world, finished with lining crafted from recycled plastic bottles, and are made in the USA. Vaalbara is a choice customers can feel extra good about!

Hum + Bee

When the pandemic caused local shops to close their doors and market stalls to come to a hault, local artisans like Hum + Bee needed to shift to an online platform and fast. This is where brand photography came into play massively for Hum + Bee. From selling tie-dye throw pillows to handmade adornments, Jen Silver is the perfect case study on how to shop local, worldwide.

What is the Bryony + Birch All-Inclusive Branding Package?

At Bryony & Birch, we offer a lot of different services and products. From hairdressing to yoga to reiki to wedding prep packages, we have a lot going on and a lot to let our customers know.
Having brand photography that showcases our events, experiences, expertise and energy has allowed us to not only launch a retail space in the midst of a global pandemic, but also thrive both on and offline.
As a collective of people who’ve launched quite a few businesses, we know exactly what it takes to get a solid gallery of versatile brand photos, which is why we came up with the all-inclusive Bryony & Birch branding package.

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

  • Hair and makeup
  • Product shots
  • Headshots
  • Catered lunch
  • Exclusive use of the Bryony + Birch studio space
  • Photos with Kate Donovan Photography

If you’re a business in the North Shore looking for brand photography, we’re your people. Click here to learn more and to book your package today!

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