When you have been in business for decades, generic corporate headshots just do not cut it. You need images that reflect your personality, your authority, and the real human behind your brand.

For Scott Hull, an illustrator agent with over 40 years in the industry, finding a photographer who could capture that authentic feel had been a long-time challenge.

In fact, Scott hadn’t had a portrait session he truly loved in nearly 15 years—not since working with my friend Leslie Moss, owner of Shoppe Smitten in downtown Centerville.

He was waiting for a photographer who could deliver that same comfortable, unforced style, and seeing Kat Schwab’s natural branding photos with Make It Count Creative was the spark he needed. When he reached out, we clicked right away.

“When you’ve been in business for decades, generic corporate headshots just don’t cut it. You need images that reflect your personality, your authority, and the real human behind your brand.”

The Vision & Preparation

Scott represents an extraordinary roster of talent, connecting top-tier illustrators with major global brands and iconic projects. Notably, he’s worked alongside world-renowned creators like Mary GrandPré, the iconic illustrator behind the original U.S. Harry Potter book covers, Penelope Dullaghan for OLIPOP, Mark Riedy who created murals and graphics for The Great American Ballpark, home of the Cincinnati Reds baseball franchise. Just to name a few.

Bringing that level of industry prestige into a personal brand session required a thoughtful, tailored approach.

He needed a mix of refreshed headshots and versatile lifestyle imagery designed specifically for his website, LinkedIn and social media posts.

When describing what he wanted to achieve, Scott put it best:

“I want these photos to convey industry credibility without feeling stiff—confident and accomplished, but also warm, relaxed, and approachable, so people look at me and think, ‘I trust this guy, and I’d enjoy hanging out with him.'”

To communicate the exact aesthetic he was drawn to, Scott pointed me toward work by Indianapolis photographer Michelle Craig, as well as the brand portraits of Donald Miller from StoryBrand.

Looking closely at his visual references, I noticed a clear trend: he loved warm, high-contrast lighting paired with rich, moody tones that felt authoritative yet deeply personal.

Having that clear visual benchmark gave us a shared language for the mood and lighting we wanted to achieve, making location scouting and planning our shot list completely seamless.

In the Studio: Home Office & Personal Details

To kick off the session, we started in Scott’s home office, which is the true heart of his creative operations.

Naturally, because Scott has spent decades surrounded by art and world-class illustration, every single corner of his workspace tells a story.

When photographing him at his desk, I skipped heavy studio flashes and focused on the natural environment instead. I let the soft window light do its job while letting the rich warmth of his wooden desk and furniture ground the composition.

That approach created the natural depth and richness Scott loves without feeling staged.

 Like most creatives, Scott is also a huge music lover.

So much so that he converted an office closet into a dedicated listening station complete with bookshelves, a receiver, a turntable, and a CD player.

To bring that side of his personality into the frame, we captured candid shots of him putting a record on, alongside his signed Harry Nilsson and Bob Dylan albums and a Neil Young Hatch Show Print poster.

Along with capturing Scott in his element, we took time to document the curated collection of art, objects, and keepsakes lining his shelves.

Every piece tells a story—from the beloved Bob Ross bobblehead, and Lucky the bunny who lost his unlucky rabbit’s foot, to an epic flea market find signed vintage Betty Grable photo in a deco frame. He displays past iterations of his business cards right on his desk alongside his Eagle Scout achievements, which he credits with building his core leadership skills and lifelong passion for helping others.

And that carved wooden monkey with the creepy glass eyes keeping guard near the corner of his desk? Scott jokes it scared the kids enough to keep them out of the office so he could work. Today, it sits across a bulletin board packed with memories– anchoring a well loved workspace filled with visual reminders of the humor, heart, and creative legacy behind everything he does.

To round out the home portion of our shoot, we stepped outside for a few classic headshots against a simple exterior wall, keeping the lighting soft and the focus entirely on a warm, natural expression.

On Location: Collaborative Moments at Woodbourne Library

After wrapping up at the house, we headed over to Woodbourne Library in Centerville to capture Scott in a modern environment with plenty of creative personality.

The library offered a fantastic mix of architectural interest—from vibrant artwork on the walls to whimsical visual backdrops—that gave us a fresh, modern canvas for unique executive headshots.

We also captured candid lifestyle moments, like Scott catching up on business calls against the artwork, showing what a typical day looks like as an active illustrator agent.

To showcase what working with Scott actually looks like in real life, his daughter joined us for some collaborative, documentary-style shots.

Capturing the two of them working through concepts together gave us approachable, authentic images that highlight his role as a mentor and agent.

To end the day, we set up near the library’s expansive windows. The mix of natural exterior light and subtle interior reflections against the modern space created a rich, layered backdrop for our final set of polished headshots.

Working with Scott was a fantastic reminder of how powerful thoughtful visual branding can be, especially for seasoned professionals with a massive legacy of work behind them.

Are You an Artist Looking for Representation or a Brand Seeking World-Class Talent?

Whether you are an illustrator looking for an experienced, advocate-first agent to guide your career, or a brand searching for the perfect artist to bring your next project to life, Scott would love to connect.

LinkedIn: Connect with Scott on LinkedIn

Instagram: Follow @scottbhull on Instagram

Facebook: Follow Scott on Facebook

Ready to Refresh Your Brand Image?

If it has been years since your last professional photo session, or if past photos have left you feeling awkward and forced, I would love to help.

Whether you need updated headshots, content for social media, or a full library of storytelling imagery for your business, let’s collaborate to capture your brand in a way that feels natural and effortless.

[Click here to get in touch and plan your custom branding session.]