RM30,000! Camera or Branding? Why I Chose Branding — and Why It Paid Off

When you’re willing to invest in building your brand,
you’ll also attract clients who are willing to invest in you.

Three years ago, something happened that completely changed the way I thought about my photography business.

I was providing a monitor calibration service for another photographer. When I arrived, I noticed his portfolio — not just printed photos, but a beautifully designed coffee-table-style book. It didn’t just display images; it told a story.

I was impressed. Inspired. Right there, on the spot, I thought: I need my work to look like this.

So I tried to do it myself. But I’m not a designer. My first attempt was clumsy — it didn’t capture the sophistication I wanted. Then I met Tsubaki Studio. Their design work was elegant, high-end, and exactly what I had in mind. I decided to hand over my branding to them completely — no hesitation.


The Investment
Over the next two years, I invested in three main things:
– A new logo that visually communicates my style and positioning.
– A professionally designed portfolio book that feels as premium as the work inside.
– Marketing materials that make the right first impression before I even speak.

These weren’t random expenses. They were deliberate moves to position myself as a premium, trusted visual partner for designers, architects, and brands.


What Most Photographers Get Wrong
Most photographers spend heavily on cameras, lenses, and gear — but very little on branding.
The problem? Clients can’t see your equipment.
They can see your logo, your name card, your portfolio, and the way you present yourself. That’s where trust is built — often before they even look at your photos.


The Results
Even something as small as a name card started to change conversations. People would pick it up, run their fingers over the paper, and say, “This is nice.” That first impression stuck.

Soon after rebranding, I was commissioned for projects with Giorgio Armani, architects, and property developers. The quality of clients changed — and so did the opportunities.


No Overthinking. Just Action.
I didn’t run spreadsheets or calculate ROI. I didn’t wait for the “perfect time.”
I just knew I needed to look like the kind of photographer big clients hire — and I acted.


My Advice
Stop waiting until you feel ready. Just do it.
Because the truth is, if you wait until everything is “perfect,” you’ll always be too late.


My Core Message
Don’t let your current thinking limit your future.
The most successful brands invest heavily in their image long before they “need to.”
If you think you’re “not big enough” for branding, that’s exactly the mindset that will keep you small.


The Quiet Truth Behind All This
In the last two years, I’ve learned something:
Great work might earn you appreciation — but a great brand earns you trust, and trust gets you chosen.

If you’re a designer, architect, or brand owner, you know the feeling:
When your work is presented in the best possible way, it’s not just beautiful — it makes your client say, “I want this.”

That’s exactly what I help my clients achieve.