Creating a Visual Identity for aspiring DJ and Producer Rex

Personal brand photography on the Cornish coast and in the studio

The Brief

When Rex approached me, she wasn't simply looking for a set of headshots. She was embarking on a completely new chapter in her life.

After a successful career in finance, Rex had made the decision to leave the corporate world behind and pursue her passion for electronic music as a DJ and producer. She needed a collection of images that would help establish her personal brand across Instagram, SoundCloud and other promotional platforms.

The challenge was to create something that felt authentic. Rather than producing generic DJ portraits, we wanted the photography to reflect the person behind the music.

Developing the Concept

Our starting point was a mood board.

Rex had researched the visual style of leading electronic music artists and DJs, but one thing became increasingly clear during our discussions: she didn't want to imitate anyone else. Alongside music, surfing and the Cornish coastline had become an important part of her life and she wanted those influences woven into her visual identity.

Rather than separating these two worlds, we decided to combine them.

The aim was to create imagery that felt contemporary, cinematic and authentic, using Cornwall's coastline and colour palette as inspiration while producing portraits that would work across social media, promotional material and future press coverage.

On Location

The first part of the project took us to the Cornish coast.

With dramatic rock formations, long evening light and the Atlantic Ocean as our backdrop, we created a series of environmental portraits that reflected Rex's connection with surfing and the landscape she now calls home.

One image in particular had been sitting in my imagination for several years.

I'd always wanted to photograph a surfer standing confidently on the rocks at sunset with the sea transformed into soft, flowing textures using a long exposure. Rex proved to be the perfect subject to finally bring that idea to life.

To achieve the final image, I combined two exposures taken just a few seconds apart—one capturing the ideal pose and expression, the other the movement of the water. The result is a portrait that feels both natural and cinematic while remaining true to the atmosphere of the evening.

The Studio Session

The second part of the shoot took place in the studio. Using coloured gels, we created dramatic portraits inspired by the atmosphere of contemporary club environments. Rather than relying on obvious nightclub clichés, the lighting was carefully controlled to produce clean, striking images with a modern feel.

During post-production I introduced light leak effects to enhance the sense of energy and movement, giving the final images a cinematic quality while maintaining a polished commercial finish.

These portraits provide Rex with strong profile images and promotional photography that immediately establish her as an electronic music artist.a

The Result

The final collection gives Rex a cohesive visual identity that reflects both her music and her lifestyle.

By combining contemporary studio portraits with atmospheric location photography, the images communicate much more than simply what she does. They tell the story of someone embracing a new creative career with confidence and authenticity.

This project is a great example of how commercial portraiture can help build a personal brand. Whether you're a musician, entrepreneur, chef, architect or business owner, professional photography should do more than provide a profile picture—it should communicate who you are and what makes your story different.

Looking to Build Your Personal Brand?

If you're looking for photography that goes beyond traditional headshots and helps communicate the personality behind your business or creative work, I'd be delighted to discuss your ideas.

Based in Newquay, I create commercial branding photography throughout Cornwall for businesses, entrepreneurs and creative professionals who want imagery with impact. Check out my people portfolio.