Yoga & Pilates Studio -
Jess Purtell

Jess Purtell Yoga is a yoga and Pilates studio based in Alexandria, VA, that prides itself on its warm, inclusive, and welcoming environment. The studio is committed to offering a range of classes and styles, so students can try different approaches to find the ones that work best for them.

Our first concept centered on Jess as a teacher, so during our session, she led a group yoga class and a yoga teacher training, and I also photographed her giving one-on-one adjustments to individual students.

Then we switched to Jess as a yogi, working off of a list of 25 asana (or yoga poses) that she had compiled. We also took some close-up shots and some images of her doing common Pilates exercises. Because Jess will be using these photos on multiple platforms, I was careful to capture both horizontal and vertical images.

When it came time for headshots, we did classic head-and-shoulders headshots, as well as photos of each instructor in the asana of their choice. We wrapped up with a playful group shoot that included everything from more formal seated shots to an image of the team lying on the floor in a circle that evokes savasana, the traditional closing posture in each yoga class.

Jess wanted new imagery for her website and social media that showcased everything that makes her studio special. Jess is also launching a yoga teacher training program, so she needed photos of herself both as a practitioner and a teacher.

In Jess's Creative Brief, I developed four concepts, ranging from team photos and images of classes in session to shots of merchandise in her store. 

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