Introduction

Like any brand, it’s important to know who represents you and your agency. Being able to put a name to a face helps residents know who to contact with questions or concerns. In the City of Fullerton, this visual connection was made possible through a partnership with Tripepi Smith. Their photographer brought consistency and quality to both digital and printed images, creating a cohesive set of portraits that highlight the City’s key public figures.

Research & Planning

When City staff approached Tripepi Smith for this project, they shared several key requests from the mayor of Fullerton. The mayor wanted the U.S. flag featured in the portraits, a fresh and distinct aesthetic compared to past photos and images that presented the public figures in the best possible light. To maximize efficiency, City staff also proposed holding the photo session before a council meeting, ensuring all council members would be present and camera-ready.

With this direction, Tripepi Smith shared samples of previous portrait work. After reviewing the examples, the Mayor provided further input, requesting a textured, colored background and subtle blur elements to help the subjects stand out. A Tripepi Smith photographer incorporated this guidance and arrived at City Hall prepared to bring the vision to life.

The Challenge

The simplest solution for photographing the group was to use a room within City Hall. However, the building’s office-oriented layout offered limited space. The Mayor’s Office provided the room to create the desired blurred background, allowing the subject to stand approximately three feet from the camera and six feet from the background. Even so, the tight quarters made it challenging to position lighting equipment effectively—a key concern for the mayor, who emphasized the importance of flattering lighting.

Our Approach

Once the photographer began setting up, the lighting concerns were addressed after the background was assembled. While lighting the subject and background separately was challenging in the limited space, zooming in on the subject proved helpful. A tighter composition allowed the lighting equipment to be positioned closer to both the subject and background without appearing in the frame.

The photographer’s understanding of optics also played a key role. By using a lens with a fast aperture, they were able to create a more pronounced background blur — meeting one of the mayor’s main requests. In addition, post-production offered further flexibility, allowing for adjustments to brightness, blur intensity and aspect ratio. The photographer’s experience with what could be refined in editing contributed to the overall quality of the final images.

Implementations & Results

Following the photo shoot, as well as the City’s remaining needs, the Tripepi Smith team produced two portrait photos for each public figure. The digital files were delivered to City staff and are now used in biographies so residents can learn more about their representatives. These biographies run consistently on the City’s cable channel, as well as on the City’s website. Mayor Fred Jung’s portrait was also used in both print and digital promotions for his 2025 State of the City Address. The photos are also displayed throughout City Hall, including near the council chambers, as a way to highlight community life and create a welcoming atmosphere.