How we met
Brooke & I randomly met at a women’s event in spring of 2024 in Cincinnati - it was the FIRST time I had gone to an event with the intention to network and promote my business. I was nervous.
But Brooke and I sat next to each other & connected instantly. I was excited to hear about @girlonivy and what owning a boutique was like and how she was excited to one day have a brick and mortar store. Fast forward to spring of 2026, she recently celebrated her first year in her storefront in downtown Loveland.
Working together
As of May 2026, we’ve had TEN sessions together. It feels very seamless & intuitive. We still learn something new each time (like garment bags really make transporting 27 outfits that much easier), but the level of comfortability that we’ve built 2 years in is a big deal. We can coordinate the details beforehand and then the day of, we're laughing our way through the session.
We cheer each other on. Support each other’s entrepreneurial journey. I LOVE buying something new from her shop. If I’m downtown, 9 times out of 10 I’ll swing by just to say hi. Being a branding photography in Loveland, Ohio where I get to work with so many FEMALE owned, small businesses, has been a dream.
how we built connection & why it's important
There's a level of comfortability I have helped cultivate, not only with Girl on Ivy, but with my branding clients. It's in the way I communicate leading up to their shoot. It's in the way I guide and pose and move hair from your face during a session. When your photographer has YOUR best interests at heart, that's when you know the photos will be gorgeous (and you'll keep coming back!)
Building loyalty is not overnight. It takes intention and interactions. One way I am purposeful in cultivating these relationships is by supporting my clients on social media. Sharing their stories, commenting on their posts, celebrating their wins. When I say, I'm here for you - it's not just a figure of speech. I mean it! I want YOU to succeed!
how YOU can build customer loyalty too!
It takes intention. It takes follow up and genuine care. But when you truly care if your clients businesses are successful, it's easy to like/comment/share :)
One thing you can do TODAY to invest in your clients - when you own a boutique and have a favorite vendor or your an artist that is displaying work in a cafe - go to their Instagram, comment on a recent post with something engaging. Then share that post and tell your followers why this XYZ matters to you. DONE.
Support is easy! Go the extra mile for your clients and it'll make them keep coming back to you too.
Looking for more inspo?
Jessa Plante is a branding photographer just north of Cincinnati, Ohio. She loves helping other small business owners succeed, including YOU! If you have any questions or want more 1-on-1 help, she's only an email away :)
Jessa@jessaplante.com
@jessaplantephotography
