Media Day Recap: Consciousness Coffee
The Why
I've been wanting to launch the business media side of Durand Digital for a while, and this was the first real test. It was about refining my process, testing my workflows, and walking away with a portfolio piece. Don't get me wrong, I love working with clients and photographing milestones. But I've always had the drive to work with businesses and people who are passionate about a product, because I feel like I have something to offer there. I still plan on doing client work, but I wanted to broaden the scope of my work and expertise.
It Started with Coffee
A few months ago, I happened to stop by and was captured by the shop the moment I walked in. Jason was the one behind the counter who served my coffee. After I finished my latte and wrapped up some work, we got to talking. I told him about what I do and how I'm looking to expand into business media. He's one of those people who genuinely loves what they do, and he was down to collaborate in a way that worked for both of us.
The Game Plan
Once we agreed to move forward, I treated it like any professional gig. Brand research, detailed shot lists, video concepts, and a checklist for Jason so nothing slipped through the cracks.
The deliverables were straightforward: a professional headshot for his website, brand imagery, a long-form interview video that could be repurposed, and a few dedicated reels.
The Day Of
The day itself was chill but productive. I'm a photography expert, but this shoot required a heavy lift on the video side. On fully paid gigs, I would bring along associates who are experts in video while I take more of a creative director role. But this time, I tackled video myself as an opportunity to learn as much as possible.
Your Move
Professional media for Jason. A portfolio piece for me. Value exchanged. Proof of concept complete.
Here's the pitch: I'm building something, and I want to build it with people who care about their business as much as I care about mine. If you're a local brand looking for media, photos, videos, reels, or whatever, this is the time to reach out. You'll get professional work at an accessible price point while I continue developing a product I'm proud of. The portfolio is growing. The rates will follow. But right now, the door is open.
