Make it high end, but fun. ✔️

Project: Custom Website Design
Studio Location: Virginia Beach, VA 
Sales Model: IPS (in-person sales)

Primary Specialty: Newborn Photography
Also Offering: Maternity, Cake Smash, Pets, Families, Seniors, and Themed Kids Events. 

Amanda and Tina are the tag-team behind Kimberlin Gray Photography in Virginia Beach, VA. They run an incredible multi-specialty studio that focuses primarily on posed newborn portraits, but also offers photography to celebrate everything from bump to graduation.

In a world where bookings have slowed industry-wide and Facebook ads just weren't cutting it anymore, what Amanda needed was to up-level her brand to reflect her own unique voice... not the "customer service script" voice that is expected of photographers (and women in general). 

The Mission: 

Create a bold and unique website that stands out from the competition, with a high end vibe (to match their premium pricing) that's also fun, humorous and totally relatable to modern families. 

Product Over Digitals

An an IPS photographer, Amanda's ultimate goal is for all of her clients to go home with printed artwork.

Whether its a custom designed album for their newborn or a canvas collage of their young wizard, the portrait art comes first and digitals are simply an afterthought. 

Strong focus on "done for you'

Ideal clients for KGP strongly reference working families, so it was very important that we focus on a done-for-you, full service experience.

Planning a photoshoot can be stressful... this brand wants clients to know they'll be taken care of and guided from the very start!

No stuffy dialogue

You won't find light and airy vibes or copy that sounds like a customer service script here.

Amanda wanted a casual and confident brand voice that speaks this generations language with just the right amount of sass. Like you just found your newest Mom-BFF!

The real challenge: Balancing multiple specialties in one website without sinking your SEO.

Google loves clarity, and multi-specialty photography sites? They will confuse both search engines and potential clients if they're not structured well. When you're trying to rank for multiple things all on one page, you're competing in multiple arenas without a clear winner.

The key here is strategic structure - giving each niche and keyword its OWN space to shine while keeping your site cohesive, properly optimized and user-friendly. 

Did we accomplish it?

HECK YEAH Animation

HECK YEAH we did!

Featuring:

✨ A sassy, unique and relatable brand voice 

✨ Rounded edge images for a playful feel

✨ gold sparkle accents, stars and watercolor

✨ Video backgrounds and fun pops of color

View the live site →

✦ SIDE NOTE: Showit gives photographers the freedom to create and trust me, we really do love to create! That means some clients make their own tweaks after launch, adding their own personal touch.

So if you click through and the site looks a little different from my original design, just know that’s the magic of Showit - giving photographers the power to easily make updates as their business evolves. 

BEFORE:
• Showcased beautiful images, but the brand voice wasn’t shining through
• Basic info, but the client journey wasn’t as strategic or conversion-focused
• Navigation worked, but there was room for a more intuitive and organized flow
• Trying to rank for too many specialties on the homepage

AFTER:
• A custom, personality-packed design that feels unmistakably Kimberlin Gray
• Strategic content and layout that guides visitors seamlessly to booking
• A balance of modern design and humor, making the experience more engaging
• Fun, confident copy that makes the brand’s voice as strong as its visuals

From "that's nice" to "totally obsessed!!"

↓ Hover to see the before & after!

Now, visitors don’t just see the images - they FEEL the experience.

↓ before

after ↓

in her words

"I have seen a HUGE increase in inquiries in the first month since launching my new website. 

I have booked SIX newborn sessions since, And at least two of them have specifically commented on the 'vibe' of my site.

I just got off the phone with a mom who said 'I loved everything on your website! You said all the things I needed to hear and the pictures are so adorable.' My new site is totally resonating with people!"

- Amanda

Q&A with Amanda

What made you decide it was time for a new website? 

I knew it was time for a new website because it started to feel STALE. I liked my website, but never LOVED my website. It was built on a platform template, and I did it myself, so it always felt a little "DIY" and incomplete. I knew that I could switch templates or refresh it myself, but deep down I also knew that having a professional in charge of the design would make it much better. It was just a matter of trusting that person. Once I chatted with Crystal about it, I knew I was in good hands!

What were your biggest frustrations or limitations with your previous website?

My biggest limitation with my old site was that it was a template that I couldn't change. Once I picked the template, there was no altering the design other than colors. I cycled through templates to try to find one that felt more like "me", but I really wasn't sure what that was or how to make it happen. The constraints of a template make it really hard to allow my own brand and personality to shine through. 

How has this new website changed your business since it launched 2 months ago? 

I feel like the vibe shift really invigorated me and introducing the changes to my website had me evaluating where else I could bring that branding voice out. I have since altered all of my email sequences, reminder texts and even some social media captions. I feel much more authentic in portraying myself and my studio to the public. It feels like "me" for the first time in 15 years!

Was there anything about the design or discovery process that surprised you?

I've never felt like I had a good, comprehensive BRAND before. And even though Crystal didn't really change my branding, exactly, she helped me discover my brand more deeply during this process. We added the peacock/teal color to my branding which gave it a whole new lease on life!!

What’s been the best feedback you’ve received about your new site?

The best feedback was the conversation I had with a new mom who said, "OMGosh, your website spoke to me!" That's EXACTLY what I wanted!!

Prior to working with Crystal, I thought my website's job was to get people to see my work and learn about what I offer. Now I get that the main job of my website is to CONNECT with potential clients and show them who I am and what I can do for them. It's truly amazing!

Websites for photographers... designed BY a photographer.

Contact me today

Let's get this (design) party started!

DID YOU visit THE SERVICES PAGE?
ARE YOU A PHOTOGRAPHER?
READY TO GET FOUND + STAND OUT?
HIT UP THE CONTACT PAGE NOW!

Did you check out the services page?
Are you a photographer?
Ready to get found and stand out?
Hit up the contact page now!

Your deserve a website that’s just as amazing as the imagery you create. Let’s make it happen together!

CRYSTAL LEE ✦ DESIGN STUDIO

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