Some sessions stick with you long after you pack up your camera. This branding session at Try Pie in Waterloo, Iowa, was one of those days.
I had heard Try Pie made amazing desserts, but I didn't fully understand everything they were doing behind the scenes until I spent the afternoon with them. When I walked out the door, my heart was bursting over the incredible work happening inside those bakery walls.
If you're not familiar with Try Pie, they're so much more than a neighborhood bakery. They're a nonprofit teen employment program in Waterloo that empowers young women through meaningful work. Along with learning how to bake incredible pies and cheesecakes, the girls also develop leadership skills, build confidence, learn financial literacy, and gain real-world job experience that prepares them for whatever comes next. Every pie they make is helping create opportunities for the next generation of women, and after spending the day there, that mission was impossible not to fall in love with.
They also gifted me with a slice of raspberry cheesecake as I left... and I may have been back the next day for another one! If you're anywhere near the Cedar Valley, do yourself a favor and stop in for a sweet treat. Trust me, you won't regret it.
This content day was extra special because it was donated through our Building Brands, Building Futures program. I'll share more about that in a minute, but first, let me tell you about the day.
More Than Just Beautiful Branding Photos
One of my favorite things about branding photography is getting to tell the story that the public don't normally see. Most customers just walk in, grab their pie, and head home, but I got to spend the afternoon capturing everything that happens before those pies ever make it to the front counter.
The girls were making fresh apple pies while I quietly bounced around the bakery with my camera. Their knives were chopping, conversations were happening, and everyone had a job to do. It wasn't staged, it wasn't overly posed, it was simply them doing what they do best—and honestly, that’s the content I love best anyway!
The Heart Behind Try Pie
One of the moments that stood out to me most had nothing to do with baking. After some time in the kitchen, I had the chance to photograph a meeting with their marketing committee. Three of the girls sat down together to talk through ideas, make plans, and dream about where they wanted the organization to go.
Later, I listened as the entire group wrapped up the day with a goal check-in. They talked about personal goals, financial goals, and work goals with the help of Megan, one of the directors of Try Pie. As someone who spends so much of my time helping women build businesses, I found myself smiling behind my camera at the future they are going to create for themselves.
These weren't just employees making pies. They were young women learning confidence, leadership, communication, and life skills that will stay with them long after they leave the bakery. Those are the moments people don't usually get to see, and they're the moments I love photographing the most.
Why We Created Building Brands, Building Futures
If you've followed me for a while, you probably know that The BuildHER Co. has always been about more than photography.
Photography is what I do, but creating opportunities for women has always been our bigger mission—and that's exactly why we started Building Brands, Building Futures.
Through this initiative, we're committed to donating 10% of our profits to organizations who elevate and empower women, and in some cases, offering our time and photography services to help capture the incredible opportunities organizations create for women in our communities.
The second I learned more about Try Pie, I knew they were exactly the kind of organization I hoped this program would support. They are investing in the next generation, teaching skills, building confidence, and creating opportunities—all through something as simple and delicious as pie.
Getting to tell that story with my camera felt like such a gift.
Branding Photography Isn't Just Headshots
One thing you need to know: Your brand deserves more than a handful of headshots.
During this content day, we created a full library of images that tell the complete story of Try Pie. We captured behind-the-scenes moments in the kitchen, product photography of their pies and cheesecakes, marketing meeting images, team interactions, and photos throughout the bakery itself.
That's the kind of content that works everywhere—your website, social media, newsletters, brochures, and marketing materials. When people can actually see the heart behind your business, they're much more likely to connect with it.
What Try Pie is Saying
"Our organization had such a great experience working with Brianna. She has an incredibly warm, comfortable presence that made our whole team feel so relaxed in front of the camera. She got the photos back to us so quickly and really did an incredible job capturing what we do.
We especially love the Building Brands, Building Futures program of The BuildHER Co. that donates 10% of its profits to organizations that support women. We truly appreciate the impact she is making in supporting women with her brand. Beautiful photos, fast turnaround, and a great mission. We highly recommend!"
Ready to Tell Your Brand's Story?
Whether you own a bakery, boutique, coffee shop, nonprofit, or another small business, your audience wants to see the people and purpose behind what you do.
That's exactly what branding photography is all about. Whether you need product photography to behind-the-scenes storytelling and brick-and-mortar content, I'd love to help you create images that feel authentic, connect with your audience, and give you months of content to share.
If you're ready to tell your story, let's make it happen.
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