PORTFOLIO

PORTFOLIO

Whitney Pelfrey
Designer & Creative Director

Hi, I'm Whitney! I'm a director and creative from Cincinnati, Ohio, with 15+ years in creative development. Over my career, I've worked on creating, critiquing, consulting, styling, forecasting, directing, and managing diverse projects. I thrive on blending creativity and innovation with a data-driven approach.

My professional journey commenced as a photographer, embarking on photography apprenticeships at 17. Transitioning from photography, I ventured into styling and creative direction, evolving into comprehensive project management. These skills have cultivated a blend of analytical acumen, data-driven expertise, creativity, and trend anticipation.

This serves as my professional portfolio. Please feel free to connect with me and explore my businesses on their respective platforms.

2024 Business Development Metrics

Revenue growth during my time as Business Developer, Creative Strategist, and Brand Designer from July 2024 - July 2025.

$153,851.60

Revenue after 6 months opening


1,500%


6 Month ROI

$12,844.80

Reduced annual contractor expenses

2023 Campaign Metrics

Audience growth through Q3 of 2023 during my role as Creative Director & Project Manager for Cincinnati record label.

15.58%

Growth of Instagram Followers


28.05%

Facebook Follower Growth


295.51%

Youtube Follower Growth


42.81%

Email Subscriber Growth

The Things I Do Best

EXPERIENCE

Business & Brand Development
HighGrain Brewing Company

  • Conceptualized, designed, and launched a luxury Italian-inspired event space inside HighGrain Brewery, transforming an unused warehouse into a profitable venue generating over $150K in the first year.

  • Developed all branding, marketing materials, vendor partnerships, and client processes from scratch, including pricing models, booking systems, and operational policies.

  • Oversaw day-to-day management, staff coordination, bar service integration, and event production with a focus on elevating guest experience and brand identity.

  • Maintained creative and business ownership of all intellectual property, systems, and visual assets developed for the space.

Senior Creative Director
Colemine Soul & Funk Record Label

  • Collaborated with artists, managers, and record label executives to maintain a consistent design on album covers, promo materials, and merchandise for each artists brand image.

  • Led the creative direction for music videos, album covers, and promotional campaigns for 65 artists under contract, resulting in multiple award- winning projects.

  • Directed the art and design team in developing visually captivating album artwork, marketing materials, and merchandise.

  • Engaged in the creation and editing of music videos, working closely with directors and musicians to realize the artistic vision.

2016 - 2022

Brand Specialist
The Sifa Collective

  • Developed brand style guides and design graphic elements in alignment with brand standards to ensure consistent branding and perception.

  • Revamped the website, resulting in a significant increase in Average Order Value (AOV) and a remarkable 300% surge in sales.

  • Enhanced branding and targeted market identification, produced a logo, hang tags, product packaging, and marketing collateral, increasing customer growth by 42%.

  • Delivered team training on client objectives and the use of corporate identity products, fostering growth opportunities for Junior Staff.

Marketing Consultant
Kings Dream Business Consulting

  • Collaborated with executive management, various business units, and sales teams to develop and execute a comprehensive, unified marketing communications strategy.

  • Conducted market research and analysis to identify target audiences, market trends, and competitor strategies.

  • Developed comprehensive marketing plans and campaigns, including social media, email marketing, and advertising strategies.

  • Applied on-page SEO strategies by optimizing meta tags, headers, and content to align closely with local competitors.

Director, Digital Marketing
Colemine Soul & Funk Record Label

  • Worked closely with artists, managers, and record label executives to tailor marketing initiatives to each artist's unique brand strategy, leading to a 35% boost in sales.

  • Conducted comprehensive market research to identify new opportunities and optimize targeting strategies.

  • Implemented CRM systems and personalized marketing efforts, enhancing customer loyalty and retention.

  • Crafted and implemented holistic digital marketing campaigns for each artist release, staying aligned with the brand strategy.

Editorial Photography
Nationally Published & Award Winning Photographer

  • Founded and manage a successful photography studio specializing in editorial and commercial photography.

  • Mentored and managed a team of photographers, stylists, and assistants, fostering a collaborative and creative work environment.

  • Provided editorial photography services to renowned magazines and publications, capturing images that enhanced storytelling and engagement.

  • Worked alongside renowned brands like Hayley Paige, Anthropologie, Memorial Hall of Cincinnati, and Lovely Bride to create custom editorial content.

Technical skills

Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro)

Project Management Systems
(Trello, Slack, Asana, OpenPlay)

Proficiency with social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok)

Business Administrative Software
(TripleSeat, PerfectVenue, Asana, HoneyBook, Eventbrite, and spreadsheets)

Web Design & Content Management (Squarespace, WordPress, or Shopify)

Budgeting & Financial Planning
Revenue goal setting, pricing strategy, and vendor budgeting

Video Production Oversight
Directing music videos and promotional content

Awards & Features

Cincinnati’s Best of The Best
Awarded by USA Today and The Cincinnati Enquirer for editorial photography

Women of Cincinnati
Recognizing the impact of marketing and business growth on small enterprises in the wedding sector.

Key Speaker
Recognition for exemplary leadership and business development, asked to speak for class graduation.

Recent Events

3 Day Business Grand Opening
February 2025
Produced and hosted a vendor showcase event at Tupelo Social Club, featuring curated partners in music, floral design, styling, food, and entertainment; included VIP upgrades, beer and wine tastings, and guided brewery tours to enhance guest experience.

Galentine’s Day Ticketed Event
February 2025
Hosted the first ticketed event for the business, collaborating with four local partners; sold out in advance and expanded ticket sales at the door due to demand.

The Kelly Clarkson Show
Say She She Live Performance
Tracked schedules, set dressing, transportation, expenses and communication between artists and show runners.


Rhinegeist Brewery
Record Fair (2022-2024)
The Taproom Record Fair will feature more than 10 Tri-State vinyl vendors and record stores.

Memorial Hall
Wes Anderson Wedding Event Show
Developed and oversaw a comprehensive event plan for Matt Zoller Seitz, the author of the New York Times bestselling The Wes Anderson Collection series.

Skills

Project Management

Creative Development Marketing Strategy

Business Development

Campaign Strategies

Trend Analysis

Editorial Photography

Brand Design

Creative Concept Design

Sifa Collective | Swahili Fashion Week

As a fashion show event creative director and manager, I assisted in the coordination from the initial planning to the execution of the show. I find the right venue that fits the theme and requirements of the event. I manage the schedule and make sure designers, models, and technical staff are all on the same page for a smooth flow of activities. Handling logistics like lighting, sound, and seating arrangements is also part of my job to ensure everything runs perfectly on the day. Plus, I work with sponsors, media, and VIP guests to make sure they're happy and that the event gets great visibility.

Get In Touch

Office Hours
Monday–Friday
8am–3pm EST

Phone
(513) 404-9180

Email
whitneypelfrey@gmail.com