New Brand and website … same old me!
Ancient History
Let’s go back in time for those of you who don’t know my history. Don’t worry! We’re not going back too far!
Quick timeline before we get into the nitty-gritty:
- 2007: Started a part-time job with local Washington DC wedding photojournalist.
- 2008: Graduated from George Mason University with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, with a concentration in photography. Began working with same photojournalist full-time.
- 2010: Quit full-time job with said photojournalist to pursue dream of owning my own company; however, I had signed a two-year non-compete clause. While waiting for the two years, I worked 4-5 miscellaneous jobs to pay for my own equipment.
- 2012: Sweet Memories Photography (now Naomi Phelps Photography) came to be!
Because I was new to being a business owner and I was still working a full-time corporate job, I didn’t want to spend a ton on my website or logo. I asked my talented friend from college to design both for me. Because she, too, graduated with a fine arts degree, but with a concentration in graphic design, she was the perfect person for the job! I was her first official creative client (she also had a full-time job doing corporate graphic design), I couldn’t tell. Her creation was everything I wanted!
Fast forward to 2016. I moved to Florida and restarted business there. With the new move and different audience, I felt that my site needed a facelift. My friend no longer does custom websites so she referred me to someone who works with her. He took a template of my choosing and then customized it according to my likes and dislikes.
It was good. But, even then, after four years of being in business, I didn’t know how impactful a website and a FULL, seamless brand could be.
A New Era
The end of 2020 is when I moved to Austin, Texas. It’s also when I gave up my part-time job and went all in on my company. Up until then, I was off-and-on being full-time business owner. Like most, it’s hard to give up a consistent paycheck!
Networking, being a part of a new community, and having friends who are wedding planners and fellow photographers is when I really started hearing about branding. Being in business for this long and always trying to do things on the cheap wasn’t wrong, but it was time to invest in me and my business.
Starting with a new name! Most of you know me as Naomi from Sweet Memories Photography. I have come a long way since I started my company. My experience and business has grown, pricing has changed, and what I provide my couples with has been taken to a whole new level. The style of my photography is timeless. And what could be more timeless than my own name?
It was time to elevate my business … time for a new brand and website.
New Brand and Website
Shopping for a brand and web designer is no easy task. I went back and forth trying to find someone. Do I go with someone who’s done my friends’ websites? How do I know it’s the right fit? I started stalking business’ websites and who they used. To get an idea for pricing and personality, I reached out to a few different people.
Honestly, I don’t recall how I found J.Ashley Innovations. It was either through Instagram or Google. But when I stumbled upon her site, I got excited! Her website, ‘about me,’ and her socials all spoke to my soul. Our consultation together solidified it. And so our work began!
From the start, I knew my end goals were to elevate my brand, continue to attract my ideal couples, and have a brand and website that are seamless and express who I am and what I do. On top of all that, I wanted a forever brand and website. One that I could see myself retiring with. A brand and website that could easily translate if I ever wanted to move overseas and become strictly a destination wedding photographer (end goals, am I right?!).
Where to go from there though? What visions did I have or what kind of website did I want?
No freaking clue.
But Jordan came to the rescue with her knowledge and experience.
She gave me a ton of homework to do. Everything from interviewing and market research to copywriting and uploading photos and information. It was a process!
The Rebrand Experience
Jordan with J.Ashley Innovations gets me. From the start, she understood my vision when I didn’t even know what it was. I highly recommend investing in yourself and your business. And I couldn’t rave about Jordan more. She is a true professional and I am in love with the whole new Naomi Phelps Photography! And although it’s a new brand and website, it’s still the same old me!
Feel free to drop me a comment or message me your thoughts on my new everything, or if you are thinking of doing the whole rebrand experience, I’m happy to answer any questions!