Best of 2024: Portfolio Roundup

Some of my incredible 2024 clients (from left to right): David Suzuki Foundation, hcma Architecture Firm, Green College at UBC, City of New Westminster

The Best of 2024: A Year of Inspiring, Authentic Photography Projects in Vancouver & the Lower Mainland

As we wrap up 2024 and enter a new year, I’m excited to showcase some of my best work and favourite projects from the past year! As a Vancouver-based commercial photographer, I’ve had the privilege of working with some incredible businesses, entrepreneurs, and brands across the Lower Mainland, including Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, and beyond. 2024 was an exciting year for my business, Mariel Nelms Photography, during which I had the opportunity to work with some incredible new clients, some of which I have admired for a lifetime!

From the compelling and modern headshots I captured, the fun branding sessions, the lifestyle architectural shoots, to the dynamic event photography, this last year was filled with inspiring collaborations, very cool and creative projects, and visual storytelling which I am excited to highlight in this blog post!

The new təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre photographed for hcma Architecture Firm and City of New Westminster.

Elevating Brands with Clean, Authentic Photography

In 2024, I focused on helping businesses create standout visual content that truly represents their brand identity. My specialty lies in crafting unique, modern, and authentic imagery that resonates with audiences and catches their eye, and elevates branding efforts. Consumers are becoming more savvy with each year, able to spot gimmick filled advertisements and quickly scroll past them in a split second. My predictions for marketing trends for the coming year is a return to natural, slower paced video and photo content - natural editing, authentic poses and content, and more human storylines. Whether it’s a fresh set of headshots for a corporate team, a branding session for a growing business, or high-quality social media content, my goal is always to create images that feel real, engaging, and are strategically aligned with my clients’ marketing goals. Each client has a unique set of goals they are working toward, and helping them to reach those objectives with my photography is truly my favourite part of this job.

Shot for my clients (left to right): City of New Westminster, Jill Sweetable Counselling, CFM Lawyers

Headshots & Personal Branding: Putting Your Best Face Forward

First impressions matter—especially online. This year, I worked with executives, entrepreneurs, and creative professionals to capture high-quality headshots and personal branding portraits that convey confidence, approachability, and professionalism. I am absolutely loving the continued trend of unique, natural portraits vs. the in-studio, classic headshots of years past. Clean, modern headshots are essential for LinkedIn profiles, company websites, and press features, and I take pride in making my clients feel comfortable in front of the camera so their unique personality shines through. Creating these types of portraits for larger teams helps bring value to the company’s moral as well, as each employee feels valued, gets a portrait they feel proud of, and the adoption of using the new company portraits is high, because I take the time to ensure that each employee loves their new professional photos.

Event Photography: Capturing the Energy & Essence

From corporate conferences to networking events, my event photography in 2024 focused on telling the story of each occasion through dynamic and engaging images. I take a documentary-style approach, ensuring that the energy, key moments, and behind-the-scenes interactions are all beautifully captured, and packaged up so that the event attendees are compelled to share the photos of themselves in action, furthering your event’s impact! Whether you’re hosting a gala, a product launch, or a team-building event, high-quality event photography is a powerful way to showcase your brand’s presence and impact.

Website & Social Media Content: Strengthening Digital Presence

A strong online presence is crucial for businesses, and I’ve worked with numerous brands this year to create compelling website and social media imagery. From lifestyle brand photography to custom website visuals, I specialize in producing content that not only looks great but also aligns with marketing strategies to attract the right audience. In today’s digital landscape, having high-quality, cohesive images can set a business apart from competitors and enhance brand credibility.

Why Professional Photography Matters for Businesses

Investing in professional photography isn’t just about having nice pictures—it’s about strengthening your brand, building trust with your audience, and making a lasting impression. Businesses that prioritize high-quality imagery for their websites, social media, and marketing materials stand out in a competitive market and attract more clients who align with their values.


Looking Ahead to 2025: Let’s Work Together!

As I head into the new year, I’m looking forward to collaborating with even more businesses, agencies and brands in Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, New Westminster, Richmond, Coquitlam and throughout the rest of the Lower Mainland. If you’re looking for fresh, professional photography to elevate your brand in 2025, I’d love to chat! Let’s create something unique and impactful together, and have a ton of fun during the process.

Let’s Connect! Ready to upgrade your brand’s visual presence? Get in touch with me below to book a consultation, session or discuss your ideas for the future of your brand!

📩 Contact Me: marielnelms@gmail.com and 778-984-5760📍 Serving: Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, New Westminster, Coquitlam, North Vancouver, West Vancouver and the rest of the Lower Mainland, British Columbia, Canada 📷 See More Work: www.marielnelms.com and https://www.instagram.com/marielnelms

Make with Mariel

I’m Mariel. I’m a professional photographer, and a passionate maker. I’m always working on something, and this is a collection of all the things I’ve made and learned that I think are worth sharing.

I love having a project on the go. I’m enthralled with: gardening and growing food, finding new and budget friendly ways to live sustainably, and working on our 90’s townhouse one project at a time. I’ve always loved to cook and bake, and these days, my recipes are geared towards what my kids will (sometimes) happily eat!

https://www.makewithmariel.com
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