Why Brand Photography Matters More Than Ever for Marketing

Hey friend — let’s talk about brand photography, but not from a trends or “what looks cute on Instagram” angle. I want to talk about it from a marketing point of view. Because those are two very different conversations.

I’ve been photographing businesses since 2009, and I’ve seen this play out again and again: the photos that look the best are not always the ones that work the hardest in your marketing. And let’s be real — we want our marketing to actually do something. Not just sit there looking pretty.

Marketing Platforms Don’t Reward Pretty — They Reward Clarity

Here’s the big shift I’ve seen, especially over the last few years: marketing platforms reward clarity, not aesthetics.

Clear visuals help people quickly understand who you are, what you do, and what it feels like to work with you. That matters more now than it did last year… and way more than it did a few years ago.

People are overwhelmed with content. Like, completely overloaded. They’re more careful with their clicks, more selective with their time, and more tuned in to who feels real, grounded, and trustworthy.

Your photos do a lot of that work before anyone reads a single word.

Your Photos Speak Before Your Words Ever Do

Before someone reads your caption.
Before they skim your website.
Before they decide to click, save, or move on.

Your visuals are already telling a story.

When your photos feel generic, overly styled, or disconnected from your message, people hesitate. They might not know why — but they feel it. Even if your strategy is solid. Even if your offer is good. Even if your words are on point.

That quiet hesitation matters.

Where Brand Photography + Videography Meet Real Marketing

At Jen Vazquez Media, brand photography and brand videography aren’t about creating “pretty content” for the sake of it. They’re about creating visuals that actually do a job in your marketing.

Every image and video we create is designed to support how your business shows up online — from your website and Pinterest to social media and sales pages. We focus on clarity first: who you are, what you do, and what it feels like to work with you. That way, your visuals aren’t just on-brand — they’re working behind the scenes to build trust, confidence, and connection before someone ever clicks or buys.

If you want visuals that feel natural, aligned, and built to support your full marketing strategy (not fight it), click below!

BOOK NOW!

When Visuals Match the Experience You’re Selling

Now let’s flip it.

When your visuals actually match the result you’re selling — when they feel aligned with the experience someone wants — everything changes.

People stay longer.
They click with more confidence.
They read the whole caption.
They trust you faster.

This is true on Pinterest, your website, social media… everywhere your content lives.

Brand photography isn’t about having more photos of you. It’s about having the right photos. Photos that support your message. Photos that reinforce your offers. Photos that make your marketing feel connected instead of scattered.

Why Brand Photography Matters More Now Than Ever

Brand photography matters more now not because trends changed — but because people did.

They want clarity.
They want consistency.
They want to feel comfortable before they invest.

And your visuals are often the very first place that trust is built… or lost.

If you want to understand how visuals, strategy, and content actually work together — not as separate pieces, but as one connected system — that’s exactly what the Creative Marketing Summit 2026 is all about.

It’s a free online event at the end of February, designed for service providers who want marketing that doesn’t just look good, but actually supports their business.

You can grab your free ticket at creativemarketingsummit.com.

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Why Pinterest Works Better When Your Strategy Is Boring (And Simple)

Content Creation, Marketing, Pinterest

Why Pinterest Works Better When Your Strategy Is Boring (And Simple)

Pinterest works best when it’s boring — in the best way.

And if your Pinterest strategy feels complicated, scattered, or hard to keep up with, here’s the good news: it’s probably not because Pinterest is changing. It’s because your plan is trying to do too much.

Hey, I’m Jen. I help service providers use Pinterest in a simple, steady way that actually fits real life. No hustle. No guessing. Just clear systems that work over time.

And one of the biggest mistakes I see? People trying to make Pinterest exciting.

More pins.
More formats.
More ideas.
More tweaks.

Pinterest doesn’t reward intensity. It rewards clarity.

Pinterest Doesn’t Want More Content — It Wants Clear Content

Pinterest is a search engine, not a social platform. Its job is to understand content well enough to place it in front of the right people.

That means Pinterest is always trying to answer three questions:

Who is this for?
What problem does it solve?
What happens after someone clicks?

When those answers are clear, Pinterest knows exactly where your content belongs. When they’re not, things stall — no matter how often you post.

This is why throwing more content at the platform usually doesn’t fix the problem. It just adds noise.

Why Repeating Topics Works Better Than Chasing New Ideas

If you’ve ever felt like you’re talking about the same things over and over again, that’s actually a good sign.

Repeating topics helps Pinterest understand what you’re known for. It builds context. It creates patterns.

One strong pin that clearly solves a problem will almost always outperform five rushed pins that try to say too much.

Pinterest wants consistency, not constant creativity.

Consistency Beats Bursts of Effort Every Time

Big bursts of Pinterest activity followed by long breaks don’t help the algorithm learn your content.

What works better is a steady, repeatable plan you can keep up with — even when life gets busy.

Pinterest isn’t asking you to do more. It’s asking you to decide:

What am I known for?
Who am I helping?
What do I want this content to do?

When you answer those questions once and stick with them, Pinterest gets a whole lot easier.

Simple Pinterest Plans Are the Ones That Last

If your strategy feels calm, clear, and a little boring, you’re probably doing it right.

Pinterest works best when it has time to learn your content and trust it. That’s how you build traffic that grows quietly in the background instead of burning you out.

And if you want help building a marketing plan that actually works long-term — without constant guessing — the Creative Marketing Summit is a great place to start.

It’s a free, online event happening at the end of February, and it’s focused on simplifying your marketing instead of piling more onto your plate.

Grab your free ticket at creativemarketingsummit.com.

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Pinterest’s 2026 Color Palette + How Service Providers Can Use These Colors in Their Marketing

Marketing, Pinterest, Pinterest Trends

Pinterest’s 2026 Color Palette + How Service Providers Can Use These Colors in Their Marketing

Okay, first things first: this is not a “pick a color and panic” post.
The 2026 Pinterest Palette™ is here, and it’s playful, bold, moody, fresh, and just cheeky enough to make your marketing feel alive again.

And no—you don’t need to rebrand your whole business or repaint your office walls.
You do get to borrow the vibe.

Let’s talk about what these colors actually mean and how service providers can use them without adding more work to their plates. Because we like fun… not chaos.

What Is the Pinterest Palette (and Why It Matters)?

Every year, Pinterest releases a color forecast based on real search data. Not guesses. Not trends pulled out of thin air. Actual things people are saving, searching, and planning for.

Which means this palette isn’t just pretty—it’s predictive.

Translation for service providers:
These colors reflect what your future clients already like, even if they can’t name it yet.

The 2026 Colors (a Very Jen Breakdown)

Cool Blue

Think calm, clean, icy-in-the-best-way.
This color is giving clarity, confidence, and “I’ve got this handled.”

Use it if you want to:

Feel trustworthy and grounded
Create breathing room in your visuals
Balance out louder brand colors

Perfect for:
Website sections, Pinterest pin backgrounds, quote graphics, educational content.

Pinterest’s 2026 Color Palette by Jen Vazquez Media

Jade

Earthy but elevated. Soft but strong.
Jade feels intentional. Like you know who you are and don’t need to shout.

Use it if you want to:

Show growth, stability, or transformation
Add warmth without going neutral
Feel luxe without feeling stiff

Perfect for:
Lifestyle photos, service graphics, Instagram stories, brand photography accents.

Plum Noir

Moody. Rich. A little mysterious.
This is “I’m the expert” energy.

Use it if you want to:

Signal depth and experience
Add drama (the good kind)
Stand out in a sea of beige

Perfect for:
Headers, callouts, high-end offers, launch visuals, text overlays.

Wasabi

Bold. Electric. Not here to play small.
This color is a jolt—and that’s the point.

Use it if you want to:

Grab attention fast
Highlight CTAs or buttons
Add personality without being loud everywhere

Perfect for:
Buttons, arrows, underlines, stickers, micro-accents.

Persimmon

Warm. Joyful. Confident.
This color feels like momentum.

Use it if you want to:

Feel approachable and human
Add energy to your content
Nudge people to take action

Perfect for:
Offers, promo graphics, storytelling posts, lead magnets.

How Service Providers Can Use This (Without Doing Too Much)

Here’s the secret:
You don’t use all five. You pick one or two and sprinkle.

Try this instead:

Update your Pinterest pin templates with one palette color
Add a new accent color to Canva and use it for CTAs
Choose one shade for a seasonal content batch
Let it guide your brand shoot styling or flat lays
Use it as a filter when choosing stock or B-roll

This is about alignment, not perfection.

Why This Works So Well on Pinterest (Specifically)

Pinterest users are planners. They’re future-focused.
And these colors are literally based on what they’re planning for next.

When your visuals quietly match what they’re already drawn to:

Your pins blend in just enough to belong
And stand out just enough to get clicked

That’s the sweet spot.

Final Pep Talk (Because You Know I Can’t Help Myself)

You don’t need to chase trends.
You don’t need to redo your brand.
And you definitely don’t need to overthink this.

Use the palette as a tool, not a rule.
Borrow the energy. Make it yours. Have a little fun with it.

Marketing gets to feel good. 💖

Want the Official Breakdown?

Here’s Pinterest’s full announcement with all the visuals and data.

And if you want help turning trends like this into pins that actually bring in traffic and leads… you know where to find me. 😉

Gen Z on Pinterest: How They’re Taking Back Their Taste (and What It Means for Brands)

Content Creation, Marketing, Pinterest, Pinterest Trends

Gen Z on Pinterest: How They’re Taking Back Their Taste (and What It Means for Brands)

Pinterest just dropped some cool insights on how Gen Z is using the platform to rediscover their taste in a world full of AI and copy-cat trends. This isn’t just social media talk — it’s a real shift in how young people explore ideas, define themselves, and make decisions online.

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A post shared by Jen | Pinterest Marketing (@jenvazquezmedia)

Why This Matters

Gen Z — that group born roughly between 1996 and 2010 — is now the biggest group on Pinterest, and their habits are shaping how the platform works and how brands should show up. (Pinterest)

These young folks grew up with TikTok, Instagram, AI tools, and tons of algorithm feeds telling them what to like. But guess what? They’re kind of over it. They want real inspiration, not automatic suggestions or “everyone’s doing this” content. (Social Media Today)

1. Gen Z Is Rejecting the AI Feed Loop

Algorithms and AI tools tell you what to watch, wear, or want — but that can blur individual taste. Many Gen Z users say they don’t even know what they like anymore after just following all that automated “must-see” stuff. (Pinterest)

So they’re choosing a different path: they want content that helps them explore who they are, not what AI thinks they should be into. (Social Media Today)

2. Identity Through Aesthetics (Not Trends)

Gen Z isn’t into one-size-fits-all trends anymore. Instead, they’re:

Making tiny, niche aesthetics based on mood or vibe
Mixing styles that feel true to them
Avoiding “trend burnout” by putting their own spin on things

That means Pinterest boards that feel personal — like “Cool Blue,” “Dark Academia,” or whatever unique mashup they dream up next. (Pinterest)

They aren’t just scrolling. They’re actively curating their identity. That’s powerful. (Diary Directory)

3. Visual-First = Better Decision Making

Gen Z grew up with screens in their hands, so they don’t want long blocks of text. They want visuals — fast.

Pinterest is visual first, meaning it helps people see, compare, and feel an idea before they commit. That’s part of why 69% of Gen Z say imagery helps more than text or reviews when making decisions. (Pinterest)

4. Safe Space for Exploration

Unlike some platforms that feel loud, judgmental, or purely engagement-driven, Gen Z describes Pinterest as less performative and more intentional. They feel comfortable trying ideas, crafting boards, and changing their minds — without pressure. (Pinterest)

So instead of scrolling endlessly, they’re exploring at their own pace — and that’s refreshing. It’s anti-doom scroll, if you think about it. (Pinterest)

5. What This Means for Brands

If you’re creating on Pinterest, this shift is a big deal:

Be part of their story: Gen Z isn’t there for ads that interrupt. They want inspiration that fits their taste journey. (Pinterest)
Support individuality: Pins that help users make choices feel more meaningful than ones that push “trending” products. (Pinterest)
Think visual first: Strong visuals help Gen Z decide what fits their vibe faster. (Social Media Today)

At the end of the day, Gen Z on Pinterest isn’t just browsing — they’re finding themselves through what they save and explore. That’s pure gold if you’re trying to connect in a real way.

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Your Pinterest Isn’t Broken: Why Saves Don’t Turn Into Clicks (And How to Fix It)

Marketing, Pinterest

Your Pinterest Isn’t Broken: Why Saves Don’t Turn Into Clicks (And How to Fix It)

If your Pins are getting saved but not clicked — or clicked but not booked — you’re not failing. You’re just stuck in one of the most confusing stages of Pinterest growth.

On paper, everything looks like it’s working. The saves are there. The topic is solid. The advice is helpful. And yet… nothing is moving forward.

Hey, I’m Jen Vazquez. I help service providers use Pinterest in a way that actually leads to clients, not just pretty metrics. And I want to clear something up right away.

Saves are not the problem.

A save usually means:
• This is useful
• I want to come back to this
• This feels relevant to me

Pinterest needs saves to learn who to show your content to. So if you’re getting saved, that’s not failure. That’s step one.

Where things usually stall is what happens next.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Why Saves Matter (Even If They Feel Useless Right Now)

Saves tell Pinterest who your content is for. They’re a signal that your Pin is landing with the right people — even if those people aren’t ready to act yet.

That’s important.

But saves alone don’t create momentum. They don’t book calls. They don’t grow your list. And they don’t turn into clients unless something else is happening.

That “something else” is confidence.

What Actually Makes Someone Click on a Pin

Clicks happen when someone feels confident:

confident you understand their problem
confident you’re credibleconfident what you’re offering is worth their time

And that confidence doesn’t come from information alone.

It comes from trust.

This is where a lot of Pinterest strategies quietly break down. The keywords are fine. The topic is solid. The advice is helpful.

But everything feels a little generic.

Stock photos.
Faceless graphics.
Polished visuals that don’t tell you who’s actually behind the content.

So people save it… but hesitate to click. Or they click… but don’t take the next step.

Not because your strategy is wrong — but because the connection isn’t strong enough yet.

Your Pinterest Isn’t Broken: Why Saves Don’t Turn Into Clicks (And How to Fix It) on Marketing Strategy Academy Podcast with Jen Vazquez

The Real Role of Trust on Pinterest

This is what everyone talks about when they mention the know, like, and trust process.

And here’s the honest truth: nobody is going to know, like, and trust you from one Pin. That’s just not how this works.

Pinterest is a long game.

The goal isn’t just visibility. It’s helping the right people feel comfortable enough to move forward over time. That happens when your content consistently shows:
• who you are
• what you stand for
• how you think
• who you’re actually for

When trust and visibility work together, clicks start to feel easier — and conversions stop feeling random.

How to Build Pinterest Content That Leads Somewhere

If you want to understand how strategy, trust, and visibility actually work together, this is exactly what we walk through at the Creative Marketing Summit.

It’s a free online event happening at the end of February, and it’s designed for service providers who want marketing that leads somewhere — not just content that looks good.

You can grab your free ticket at CreativeMarketingSummit.com.

Thanks for hanging out with me today. You crushed it just by showing up for your business.

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What It’s Really Like to Co-Host a Podcast + Launch a Program Together (Lessons for Female Founders)

One Year In: Why We Started the Marketing Duo Podcast

When we hit the one-year mark of the Marketing Duo podcast, we had to pause and celebrate a little. A year in, only four missed episodes, two separate businesses, two separate podcasts… and somehow we kept this one going.

We didn’t start the podcast because we needed another thing on our plates. We started it because we wanted a space to talk through marketing in a real, conversational way — and because collaboration sounded more fun than doing everything alone.

What surprised us most is how quickly the podcast turned into something bigger. The conversations led to ideas. The ideas turned into Quiet Growth. And suddenly, this “fun project” became a real program with real results for real people.

That evolution didn’t happen by accident.

Why Podcasting With a Partner Felt Easier (Not Harder)

One of the biggest benefits of co-hosting is simple: you’re not carrying the full weight alone.

When you run a solo podcast, everything sits on your shoulders — content ideas, planning, recording, publishing, promotion. With a partner, that mental load is shared. You’re both bringing ideas. You’re both invested. And you’re motivating each other when energy dips.

We were worried at first that collaboration might make content harder. Instead, it made it lighter. We keep a shared list of ideas (there are a lot of them), and we never struggle to find something to talk about.

The key? We both like to talk, we both like problem-solving, and we both come into conversations looking for solutions — not complaints.

The Capacity Reality Check No One Talks About

Here’s the honest part: launching a brand-new program while running a podcast is a lot.

During the Quiet Growth launch, things slipped. We missed a few episodes. Life happened. Health stuff popped up. Client work took priority. And that was okay.

Every business owner has a capacity — and that capacity shifts. The mistake isn’t hitting a limit. The mistake is pretending you don’t have one.

Instead of beating ourselves up, we treated that season as a planned pause. Consistency matters, but so does sustainability. Long-term visibility only works if you can keep showing up without burning out.

What Makes a Partnership Actually Work

If there’s one thing we’d stress to anyone thinking about a collaboration, it’s this: alignment matters more than hype.

We serve similar audiences. Mostly female service providers. Different niches, different strengths — but the same core people. That overlap makes the work feel worth the time.

We also talked early about roles, responsibilities, and tools. Who owns what. What gets outsourced. What gets shared. Those conversations changed over time, but having them upfront prevented resentment later.

And maybe most important: trust. If something feels off, we can talk about it. If one of us needs rest, the other steps in with grace. That kind of safety doesn’t happen overnight — it’s built through time, small collaborations, and honest communication.

Start Smaller Than You Think

We didn’t jump straight into a joint program.

Before Quiet Growth, we tested things. Guest trainings. Free workshops. Affiliate partnerships. Showing up in each other’s audiences in low-risk ways.

Those baby steps mattered. They built confidence, proof, and trust — without pressure.

If you’re considering a partnership, don’t skip this part. Try a short series. A co-hosted workshop. A shared offer. Let the relationship earn its way into something bigger.

Scheduling, Systems + Making It Feel Doable

Our systems evolved as we went. Monthly marathon recording sessions didn’t work. Weekly touchpoints did.

Blocking time on the calendar — even when it moved — helped us stay consistent. Recording multiple episodes in one sitting helped reduce pressure. Doing things ourselves first helped us later outsource with clarity.

And we agreed upfront: this didn’t have to be perfect. It just had to be sustainable.

That mindset saved us more than once.

Why We’d Do It All Again

This podcast didn’t just create content. It created connection, confidence, and a new income stream. It opened doors to new clients, new ideas, and deeper collaboration.

Business can be lonely. Doing it with someone you trust makes it lighter — even when it’s hard.

If you’re thinking about a podcast, a partnership, or a collaboration of any kind, the biggest takeaway is this: it should feel good and make sense for your business.

When it does both, that’s where the magic happens.

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