Branding for the Seasons: Style Themes for Your Nonprofit

Do you remember the early days of digital photo filters?

Those gritty Instagram frames and photo booth effects are seared into my memory forever. Oh, the carefree days of posting on social media… 

The truth is that photo filters and creative editing can only do so much to make your photos feel “on brand.” The key is actually in how you style the photo to begin with, so you can create a memorable brand experience that’s always fresh. 

“Style” is a pretty abstract idea, so to help make it more practical, I’ll introduce you to one of my favorite ways to think about it from Fiona Humberstone’s book “How to Style Your Brand.”

Imagine your photo exists in one of the four seasons – summer, autumn, winter, or spring

Each season captures a distinct feeling that’s influenced by the seasonal vibe:

• Summer is warm and hazy – photos have a soft and balanced feel, usually with a gray undertone.

• Autumn is warm, tactile, and energetic – photos are full of texture and saturation.

• Winter is full of contrast – photos are strong, dramatic, and decisive.

• Spring is clear and light – photos are friendly and carefree.