Empowering Parents Through the Lens: Branding Photography for Screen Smartz in Salt Lake City

About Screen Smartz

Screen Smartz is a brand-new startup—just months into its journey—but already making a significant impact. Founded by a passionate team of women who understand the nuanced challenges of parenting in a tech-driven world, this company is on a mission to bridge the gap between technology and healthy family dynamics.

At its core, Screen Smartz offers a thoughtfully designed course for parents and teens to take together before a teenager receives their first smartphone. The course emphasizes open communication, mindful usage, and strategies to build a safer, more balanced digital lifestyle. Screen Smartz believes that equipping families with the right tools and language can prevent a lot of stress, miscommunication, and tech-related issues before they start.

Through our branding session, we set out to capture not just the professionalism and credibility of this young brand, but also its warmth, relatability, and heartfelt purpose. With a soothing tan and blue-toned palette and intentional, inviting imagery, this shoot was the first visual stepping stone in what promises to be a transformative movement for families everywhere.

Understanding the Vision

When we first connected with the Screen Smartz team, it was immediately clear that they had a strong sense of purpose and a clear visual identity in mind. Their mission to create a more mindful, communicative approach to technology use within families demanded branding that felt both professional and personal. The tone they envisioned was one of balance—strong yet soft, modern yet warm.

Their goals for the shoot were not only practical—such as obtaining a polished profile image and content for their soon-to-launch website and Instagram—but also deeply intentional. They wanted imagery that helped parents feel empowered, not judged. The entire brand experience needed to reflect calmness, clarity, and connection. Through detailed planning and a collaborative approach, we were able to craft visuals that authentically represented their mission and values.

Photoshoot Location in Salt Lake City Valley

Choosing the right location is critical when you're trying to convey specific emotions and brand values through photography. For Screen Smartz, we had the opportunity to photography in the home of one of the founders located in Herriman, in the south end of the Salt Lake City Vally. This location featured plenty of natural light and minimalist backdrops. This personal environment perfectly echoed the brand’s desire for simplicity, focus, and approachability.

We also used subtle props and set pieces that enhanced the story without overpowering it. From soft furnishings to neutral-toned backdrops, each detail was chosen to make Lori Jo and Kami—the passionate founders behind Screen Smartz—feel at home and allow their personalities to shine. The serene setting allowed us to keep the spotlight on them and their powerful message to families navigating the tech era together

Capturing Authentic Connection

For Screen Smartz, authenticity was everything. The course they’re building is deeply relational—it’s about strengthening the parent-teen connection before a smartphone ever enters the conversation. Our job was to visually capture that same spirit of openness and connection between the founders and their audience.

Rather than overly staged poses, we focused on natural interactions—candid conversations, light laughs, and confident, composed portraits. We used prompts that helped evoke sincere emotions and gestures, allowing Lori Jo and Kami and the models to relax and be themselves. These genuine moments, framed with soft lighting and thoughtful composition, radiated the kind of warmth and trust they want parents to feel when they discover Screen Smartz.

Highlighting the Founders

One of the central themes in this shoot was the importance of human connection. With Screen Smartz still in its early stages, it was essential to introduce the heart of the brand—co-founders Kami and Lori Jo. These two passionate women are the voice and vision behind a movement designed to empower families through mindful tech education. Our goal was to ensure their personalities, trustworthiness, and warmth were clearly reflected in every frame.

We focused a portion of the session specifically on profile imagery, providing professional yet inviting portraits that they can use across their website and social media channels. These photos needed to strike a delicate balance: polished enough to establish credibility, but friendly enough to say, “We’re here to support you.” 

Branding for Digital Use

As Screen Smartz prepares to launch their course and digital platforms, we paid close attention to how their visuals would perform across different mediums. From high-resolution banners for their website to optimized square-crop images for Instagram, we ensured the photos met a wide range of content needs. The shoot included diverse compositions—close-ups, wide shots, and negative space—to give them creative flexibility in future marketing campaigns.

Collaborating With Screen Smartz

What made this shoot especially rewarding was the collaborative spirit behind it. Lori Jo and Kami brought clarity, enthusiasm, and intentionality to every phase—from the strategy call to wardrobe planning and beyond. Together, we built a shared mood board, discussed key messaging, and ensured each visual choice aligned with their values of trust, empowerment, and openness.

Working with purpose-driven entrepreneurs is always a joy, and Screen Smartz is a perfect example of how clear brand values elevate every aspect of the creative process. Their passion for helping families was evident from the first conversation, and that same energy shined through every shot.