Design Day at Siebel Center for Design | March 2025
Legacy Awards at the Alice Campbell Alumni Center | September 2024
INTERSTATES at the Bloc Gallery | October 2024
Endo Fashion Studio for CFE.6 | November 2024
TAKEOVER at Link the Gallery | March 2025
Class of 2025 | Eliz, Katie, Rachel, Amelia, Nora, Kellen, Riya, Macy | May 2025
REFASHIONED 2025 Fashion Show | May 2025
Kostolansky Family | December 2022
Class of 2025 | Eliz, Katie, Rachel, Amelia, Nora, Kellen, Riya, Macy | May 2025
Paoni Family | December 2023



[ Graduation Bookings🎓] [ Event Photography🎪] [Brand Consultation🎨] [General Inquiries💭]






Hi, 
my name is William Hohe 


 

Commercial Photographer | 
Art Direction | Brand Consultant 



Hi, my name is William Hohe — I’m a multidisciplinary creative working at the intersection of commercial photography, visual storytelling, and brand strategy. With dual degrees in Photography and Advertising from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, along with minors in Art History, Business, and Spanish, my practice spans creative direction, exhibition design, campaign development, and large-scale media production. I’ve developed a distinct voice through years of photographing clients under my brand WILLIAMSLENSES, where I produce over 100 shoots annually across editorial, portrait, and event-based work. My photography has been featured in The New York Times, VSCO, and over 60 exhibitions, and my commercial portfolio extends from fashion editorials to political campaigns to performance documentation.
Professionally, I’ve served as a Lab Assistant and Photographer for the School of Art + Design, where I manage advanced digital output labs and create public-facing visuals for the college's events and exhibitions. I’m also a leader in student-run organizations — having been Chief Creative Officer for the American Advertising Federation at UIUC, President of The Fashion Network (the university’s largest fashion RSO), and co-founder of the Circular Fashion Expo, which grew into a 1,000+ person sustainability-centered event with runway shows, installations, and media campaigns. These roles combined creative production, technical execution, and team management — all in high-pressure, high-visibility environments.

My work is guided by a belief in art’s ability to bridge clarity and complexity. Whether leading creative direction for national ad campaigns through NSAC, assisting clients with brand consultation, or curating vintage aesthetics at Gather & Collect, I center every project on intentionality and visual resonance. Recognized as a Stamps Scholar, Chancellor’s Scholar, and recipient of multiple competitive fellowships and research awards, I bring both depth and discipline to my craft. From solo exhibitions like INTERSTATES and Project Persona to strategic leadership in the classroom and beyond, I am committed to producing work that is visually captivating, conceptually grounded, and deeply human.





Art Direction
 


Art direction, for me, is the practice of shaping how ideas are seen, felt, and remembered. I’ve led visual projects across media—developing campaigns, designing for theatre and performance, and curating photographic narratives that convey more than just surface-level meaning. From brainstorming initial concepts to managing a team of designers and creatives, I thrive in environments where vision and execution intersect.

In roles ranging from Chief Creative Officer to Lyric Theatre photographer, I’ve collaborated with directors, stylists, set designers, and performers to create unified aesthetics that serve both function and form. Whether crafting playbills, designing promotional visuals, or producing gallery installations, I ensure each element is considered holistically—down to color, texture, and typography. Art direction, to me, is about coherence and storytelling: every visual choice should feel inevitable and intentional.

Beyond the visuals, I value the art of leading with clarity and care. I’m hands-on when needed, yet skilled at stepping back to guide others. I believe in creative environments that are generous, experimental, and anchored in communication. The best art direction fosters not just beautiful results, but meaningful collaborations and lasting impressions.



Brand Consultant
 


As a brand consultant, my focus is on uncovering the soul of a business, artist, or organization—and translating that essence into a cohesive visual and strategic identity. Whether working with a startup, nonprofit, or public figure, I begin by listening: what’s the mission, the voice, the emotion you want your audience to feel? From there, I help shape the visual language, messaging, and digital presence needed to stand out authentically.

My consulting work draws from years of experience in visual media, creative strategy, and cross-disciplinary design. I’ve helped political campaigns craft bold, human-centered communications; advised local businesses on their aesthetic direction; and worked with artists to define their brand presence across platforms. The goal is always the same: clarity, consistency, and creativity that reflects the core of who you are.

I view branding not as surface polish but as an act of alignment. Every font, photo, and caption should feel like an extension of your story. Through workshops, mood boards, and long-term strategy, I partner with clients to create brands that don’t just look good—but feel right, evolve thoughtfully, and connect meaningfully with their audiences.



Commercial Photographer
 


As a commercial photographer, I’ve developed a deep understanding of how to tell compelling visual stories that resonate with target audiences while aligning with brand identity. From working with independent clients to larger-scale campaigns, my approach blends technical precision with conceptual clarity. Whether I’m photographing products, people, or environments, I approach each shoot with a clear creative intention—balancing aesthetic quality with the strategic needs of the brand or individual.


Over the years, I’ve refined my ability to adapt to different visual languages, whether a client needs high-end editorial imagery, clean e-commerce photography, or lifestyle shots with narrative depth. My background in fine art and design allows me to elevate commercial work beyond the typical—bringing in stylized lighting, thoughtful composition, and post-production techniques that make visuals stand out in competitive markets.

Each shoot is a collaborative process. I believe the best images come from listening closely to the client, asking the right questions, and building trust on set. With experience shooting for musicians, political campaigns, retailers, and theatre productions, I ensure that every final image is not only professionally executed but emotionally resonant and strategically on-brand.



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