Namaste Photography: Branding + Squarespace Website Design [2024 Update]
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Taylor of Namaste Photography is a couples, portrait and family photographer based in New Jersey.
We first worked together in 2019 and have worked on and off again since then.
In early 2024, she booked 1.5 VIP design days with me for an overhaul of her website.
She no longer felt tied to what we had produced 5 years prior (totally relatable) and was ready for version 2.0 that felt upleveled and more mature.
I never take it lightly when a client comes back years later **cue the happy tears**
So I was very excited to get in the backend and bring her newer design vision to life!
The project included updated copy, new images, refreshed SEO, and a new services page.
It was SO much fun to bring Taylor’s new website to life!
The new look truly captures her essence. From upleveling her services pages to updating her portfolios, every detail was a labor of love.
And the best part…
She is now ranking #1 for her photography services and receives 1-5 inquiries a week from Google (more on that below).
If you’re new around here, I’m passionate about creating more than just a pretty website. I infuse my professional background in SEO into every website design project I work on.
Let’s dive in….
Step 1: Visual Branding and Overal Vibe
Taylor is passionate about documenting life's fleeting moments and turning them into forever memories for each one of her clients. Her promise is to capture every moment with honesty, authenticity, and love.
With Taylor’s photography style, the best way to describe the new vibe was “moody vintage.”
Color palette
Her original website featured muted, earthy tones. With the redesign, we made some minor tweaks to the color palette for a deeper green and brown for the buttons.
The top was her original palette in 2019 and the updated 2024 version on the bottom. It was a minor change, but still made a difference on the website.
Logo
For the logo design, we kept her logo the same. The only difference on the website was swapping out the colored logo for the all white version so since the navigation was going to be transparent with a dark overlay on the banner images.
Fonts
We kept her fonts the same, but flip flopped them. On the first site, her headings were a san serif font (Old Standard) and her paragraphs were a serif font (Raleway). Switching these up gave the website a more elevated look.
Textures
Her website featured some fun floral graphic elements from Creative Market.
From the old website, we replaced the “ripped” texture effect with shadows. I also replaced some borders/backgrounds with film graphics since Taylor wanted more of a portrait and documentary feel.
Step 2: Website Design
Jumping into the VIP design days, there was a list of edits that Taylor wanted completed in tandem with the aesthetic uplevel.
As with any website design project, I started with the homepage redesign before moving on to the rest of the pages.
With doing feedback in real time via Slack, we moved through the website pages one by one.
I replaced images, incorporated new background textures, added in new graphic elements, and more.
We also added a new page for her lifestyle and editorial photography packages. Taylor decided to move away from weddings and wanted to highlight her engagement sessions and family sessions.
Time for some before and after photos!
Below are before and after screenshots of these pages: homepage, about, family sessions, and engagement sessions.
Check out the stunning overhaul we did together and what Taylor had to say about the project!
Home page:
About Page:
Couples Investment
Families Investment
Some of the pages above were shortened for this post, so you can click below to see the full pages.
Since we did the VIP design day and her domain was already connected, there wasn’t much to do once the website was finalized. I handed over all of the Canva design files and recorded a Loom walking through basic changes.
She was really excited about the launch and I’m so grateful to have worked with her on this project!
Step 3: Buttoning Up the SEO
Beyond the design, here was the best part…
At the time of writing this, her website is ranking #1 on Google for ideal clients searching for her exact services.
My approach goes way beyond just creating visually appealing designs so that my clients can stop feeling frustrated that your website isn't getting the love it deserves from Google or your ideal clients.
And I can tell you that there's a right way and a wrong way to do SEO. Many of what's taught online by others without a professional background in SEO is very spammy.
Especially in the photography space.
Here's what I didn't do to get Taylor’s website into the Google top 10:
❌ Keyword stuff "photographer" 10x into her website copy
❌ Add more than one keyword into page titles and images
❌ Upload full images without resizing
❌ Try to hide keywords (white text on white background is so 2005)
❌ Rely on ChatGPT for keyword research (not a keyword research tool!)
There are various SEO elements I optimize for every website design client, including title tags, meta descriptions, images, and more!
These take place before/after the VIP design day so my focus is solely on design.
The Results
A few months after the website launched, she said:
“On average I’m getting at least one inquiry a week from Google, sometimes 4-5 per week. I’m so so grateful for you and your talent!!! Honestly 95% of my bookings come from Google now and rest are either referrals or returning clients!!”
These were the results shortly after launch:
Not to mention she saw a ~12,000% increase in clicks
Here's what Taylor had to say about working together
In 2019...
“The thing I loved most about working with Lauren is the organization and efficiency she brings to the project. Both of these things I value so much especially when it comes to my business. Since one of my fears was getting off track from my vision and the timeline, that was quickly put at ease when I was sent our timeline, my assigned tasks, and the process of culling pieces to form my vision in a tangible form.
Another thing I loved about working together, was how much she cared about what the end product is going to be for ME. I didn't feel like just another client in the books, I felt like I was her one and only focus and so was my website. And for that, I am truly grateful. The new website has brought my business to LIFE. I feel like everything else was aligned except for my website. I had the work, the testimonials, the social media presence, but when it came to my site it fell short.
With my new website, I feel my brand, message, and personality is clear and shines through more than ever!! Now I feel confident to send out my website link and feel proud to share it. The knowledge and ease Lauren brings to this are so invaluable. If you’re considering working with Lauren, DO IT NOW. Stop reading the emails and silently agreeing with everything Lauren is saying. Take the time, put in the work, and know it's worth it. Invest in YOU. Invest in your WEBSITE. You are not going to regret it - Lauren will bring your vision to life.”
In 2022…
“I can't brag about this experience enough. From the beginning of planning and prioritizing tasks that are important for you and your business, to the actual workflow of the day is perfect + so efficient. To have someone's undivided attention (especially someone as talented as Lauren) on YOUR business for 4 hours straight is so invaluable. I am so happy with how it all came together - the additions to my website feel intentional and authentic to my brand. I can't wait to do another one again!
My favorite part of the day was being able to have live updates through our messenger, Slack, and the efficiency of being sent a link to view/approve an update and quickly give feedback. I literally never thought I would enjoy website updating so much.”
In 2024…
“10/10 recommend! From beginning to end, Lauren helps guide you to organize your thoughts, wants, and needs for the website. From there, she'll make sure every expectation is realistic for the day following and that what can be done will be!
At first, I didn't know where to start so I just put it all down (in the VIP day workbook). Lauren and I went through each one so she could clarify what I was thinking and how she could best implement it! I am so grateful for her talent!
I loved being able to chat on slack and give feedback quickly so we could move on to the next to-do! Working with Lauren is an absolute honor. I wouldn't choose anyone else to bring my vision and work to life than her!!!”
View the live website!
Are you looking for a website redesign like Taylor?
Want a website overhaul and SEO done right so you can attract more dream clients without dancing in Instagram Reels or cold pitching in the DMs?
I’d love to connect! Click the link below to view my offerings and set up your free 15 minute consultation!