Go behind the scenes of a vintage-inspired personal branding photography session for Munising muralist and custom sign painter Starsiding Studio.
My trusty assistant (aka my husband, Adam) and I loaded up our old Chevy truck and made the scenic drive from Manistique to Munising for an afternoon Upper Peninsula personal branding photography session. Before heading to the studio, we made a mini-adventure out of the trip, grabbing a delicious lunch at the deli, exploring downtown, and fueling up with coffee from Gallery Coffee Company. With creative energy high, we headed to the studio of Jamie, the brilliant artist behind Starsiding Studio. Jamie is a professional Michigan muralist and painter whose mission is to bring to life vintage-inspired signs and custom murals that create whimsy and delight to modern spaces.
Behind the Scenes: Vintage Sign Painting & Mural Art in Munising
We spent nearly two hours capturing branding portraits of Jamie inside her various studio spaces, where she practices her painting, refines her hand-lettering, and masters her designs. What makes Jamie’s work truly distinct as a custom sign painter is her dedication to local history. She bases her retro designs on vintage visuals from local businesses and landmarks, like historic UP lighthouses and restaurants, resurrecting these forgotten visual treasures. Her core message shines through every piece: what’s old is new again, and these timeless, nostalgic sign designs instill a powerful sense of happiness in everyone who sees them.
For the final hour of our session, we took that retro branding vision outside to collaborate with a spectacular prop, which was Jamie’s bright red, vintage 1964 Chevy truck. We leaned fully into the whimsical concept of a Michigan artist in her vintage truck, painting the world around her. This setup perfectly bridged the gap between Jamie's love for retro aesthetics and her modern-day commercial art trade. The resulting lifestyle branding images are bold, playful, and beautifully tell the story of a local artisan who doesn't just paint signs, but actively preserves the nostalgic soul of the community.
Modern Personal Branding Photography for Michigan Creators
Capturing the behind-the-scenes magic of a creative entrepreneur is all about showing the value, hard work, and intentionality behind the final product. By documenting everything from her meticulous historical research to the literal paint on her hands, these lifestyle branding portraits give Jamie's audience a front seat to her artistic process. Showing potential clients the face behind the business builds immediate trust and connection, which is exactly what transforms casual social media followers into loyal, paying clients who value the timeless art of hand-painted signage.
Jamie’s goal for this personal branding session was to gather a cohesive bank of commercial imagery to revise her website, elevate her marketing materials, and update her social media to build strong brand recognition and attract new clients. These photos capture the exact blend of professional mastery and vintage charm needed to make her business stand out in the Midwest art scene. You can explore her incredible portfolio and commission her for custom sign painting online at starsidingstudio.com!