Philadelphia Branding Portrait Photography | Mason Dixon Made

Heather is one of my favorite makers in Philadelphia. She (with the help of her awesome husband) stamps the Mason Dixon logo into raw materials, crafting incredible footwear and bags. The company’s focus is on sustainability, quality, and beauty.

I’ve been following Mason Dixon Made on Instagram for years, so it felt natural to reach out to introduce myself. It was such a pleasure to capture some portraits of Heather, especially after feeling like I have gotten to know her a bit on social media. She’s every bit as charming and individual as the products she sells.

Her story

After selling custom-sewn accessories from her Etsy shop and working as an upholsterer, Heather decided to try her hand at something new. One day when her daughter was napping, Heather made her first attempt at sewing a pair of handmade shoes. Thanks to a YouTube tutorial, Heather’s daughter awoke to leather booties. The shoes served as inspiration for the company, which has since grown to include footwear for all sizes. As a fellow mother and maker, Heather has definitely inspired me to make the most of my time.

I wanted to share this snippet from Mason Dixon Made’s website, I think it really sums up their mission beautifully:

“Mason Dixon is about forging relationships and honoring connections — with you, with our vendors, with our community. It’s about running a business in a way that’s attuned to the world more broadly, sourcing materials responsibly, reducing our environmental impact, treating customers like real people, and giving others (especially women) opportunities to learn a trade and hone their skills.”

Thanks again to Heather, who was kind enough to be vulnerable in front of a near-stranger during our shoot at Lokal Hotel.