Some collaborations feel like they were just meant to be. That’s exactly how I felt when Aslı, the founder of Catchy Sights, approached me. I’d been following her work for a while—her unique souvenirs of Leuven, with their playful illustrations, had always caught my eye. So when she suggested we create something together, I couldn’t have been happier.

We met over coffee to chat about her vision. Aslı wanted to give her brand a face—her own face. It made perfect sense; Catchy Sights is energetic, creative, and full of life—just like her. She also wanted to showcase her products in a natural, relatable way, for her website and social media. By the end of our coffee, we had a plan.

I like to come prepared, so I put together a detailed shooting plan—a roadmap to make sure we’d get all the photos Aslı needed. November isn’t exactly known for perfect weather, but we crossed our fingers and hoped for the best. And then, just like magic, after weeks of rain, the sun decided to show up for us on shooting day. (It went back to hiding the very next day. Lucky, right?)

Of course, no photoshoot is without its surprises. The café where we planned to start? Packed. The orangeries at the Kruidtuin? Closed. But here’s the thing about creative projects: when you roll with the unexpected, you often end up with something even better than you imagined. And that’s exactly what happened.

From the beginning, we knew Leuven would be the backdrop for this session. Aslı’s brand is rooted here, and it was important to highlight that connection. We wandered through some of her favorite spots in the city—places that felt personal and meaningful.

This is where I realized, yet again, how much my marketing background shapes my work as a photographer. Before the session even starts, I see the final images in my mind. I don’t just think about what will look good—I think about how the photos will work for my client’s story, for their brand, and across all the places they’ll use them.

Aslı wasn’t alone in this shoot—her daughter Ipek, an important part of Catchy Sights, joined us. Watching them interact added something special to the photos. Their bond brought an extra layer of warmth to the session, one that mirrored the heart of Catchy Sights.

By the end of the day, we had photos that felt real, vibrant, and completely Catchy Sights. From the products to the personality behind them, everything came together beautifully.

For me, this session was about more than photography. It was about collaboration, about turning ideas into something so real. It reminded me why I love what I do—and why I always say yes to working with people who bring their passion to life.

Say Hello! I’d love to hear about our next project!

Visual diary

Posts tagged with behind-the-scenes

Behind the Scenes of a Personal Branding Session: Catchy Sights