Brand Identity and Storytelling Studio in Chicago
About
Moments of emotional truth,
honestly observed and documented.
What we're not
Not a SWAT team
We don't descend with large crews and predetermined formats.
Not fast
Speed creates sameness. We take time to understand what you're building before we pick up a camera.
Not a vendor
This isn't transactional. It's a relationship built on trust and mutual investment in getting it right.
What we are
Wildlife photographers in urban landscapes
We prepare extensively. We wait for the right moment. We don't force what should emerge naturally.
Sophisticated in restraint
Great work requires simplicity. Simplicity requires patience.
Reference-grade, always
The quality that separates story from content. It matters to us because it should matter to you.
Who we work with
Mission-driven organizations building a better future.
Founders who measure success beyond profit. People doing work that makes the world feel smaller and safer.
You might run a gallery, a clinic, a social enterprise, or something we've never heard of. What matters: sharp point of view, work that improves how we relate to each other.
How we work
Three clients at a time.
Not artificial scarcity. The discipline required to do deep work.
We invest our own resources when pivots are needed. Our contracts are called moral operating agreements — designed to price what you are looking for. Nothing more, nothing less.
We want you thrilled with the result, not just satisfied.
The team
Steve Dobias — Portrait
Prashant Vallury
Founder, Hyphenate
25 years storytelling across music, journalism, law, and consulting. MFA in Screenwriting. Obsessed with excavating stories from complex situations under tight deadlines. Past clients include Accenture, Max Group, Titleist, to garage startups — each getting the same approach.
Prashant Vallury — Portrait
Steve Dobias
Co-Founder, Head of Production
Audio engineer and award-winning musician who’s worked on #1 selling video games. Understands how to set a scene. Believes in British production methods of the 1960s — preparation and performance capture over post-production fixes.
Natasha Devi Kohli Vallury — Portrait
Natasha Devi Kohli Vallury
Co-Founder
Fractional CMO for companies ranging from healthcare to SaaS. Acclaimed visual artist who moonlights in a free jazz ensemble with her partners at Method.
