view other case studies
- Custom Showit Website Design
- Gallery Structure & Portfolio Organization
- Service Page Development
- Regional SEO Positioning
- Color Palette & Typography
PROJECT DELIVERABLES
Cat MacDonald is a portrait and lifestyle photographer serving families and couples across Northwest Indiana, Southwest Michigan and the Chicagoland area. Her work focuses on capturing authentic, natural moments rather than overly posed images, creating photographs that feel timeless and personal.
CLIENT BIO
NWI Wedding, Lifestyle & Brand Photographer
Cat MacDonald Photography
Cat MacDonald is a portrait and lifestyle photographer known for capturing genuine, unscripted moments. As her business grew, she was ready for a website that reflected the elevated level of her work and supported a more professional client experience.
When Cat reached out, she was working from a Pixieset template, a common platform for photographers but one that can limit customization and strategic positioning. While her photography was strong, the website itself no longer matched the quality, pricing or growth of her business.
The goal wasn’t simply to redesign the site. It was to create a digital presence that positioned Cat as a professional photographer serving families and couples across Northwest Indiana, Southwest Michigan and Chicago.
When Cat reached out, she was working from a Pixieset template, a common platform for photographers but one that can limit customization and strategic positioning. While her photography was strong, the website itself no longer matched the quality, pricing or growth of her business.
The goal wasn’t simply to redesign the site. It was to create a digital presence that positioned Cat as a professional photographer serving families and couples across Northwest Indiana, Southwest Michigan and Chicago.
Cat’s Pixieset site served as a starting point, but it lacked the flexibility needed to present her work and services in a way that matched the level of her photography.
Her new website needed to:
At the same time, the site needed to stay true to Cat’s style, which is photography that captures real moments rather than overly posed images.
The challenge wasn’t simply creating a prettier website. It was designing an experience that allowed the photography to take center stage while guiding visitors naturally toward booking.
Her new website needed to:
- Better showcase her galleries and visual storytelling
- Clearly communicate her session offerings
- Reflect the elevated pricing and experience she provides
- Position her as a photographer serving multiple regional markets
At the same time, the site needed to stay true to Cat’s style, which is photography that captures real moments rather than overly posed images.
The challenge wasn’t simply creating a prettier website. It was designing an experience that allowed the photography to take center stage while guiding visitors naturally toward booking.
01. The Challenge
Elevating a Photographer’s Online Presence Beyond a Template
The project began with restructuring the site architecture to support both portfolio exploration and clear service information.
From there, we designed a layout that allows visitors to move naturally between galleries, session information, and booking details without feeling overwhelmed.
Throughout the design process, we focused on:
The final site balances artistry with usability, making it easy for visitors to explore her work and take the next step.
From there, we designed a layout that allows visitors to move naturally between galleries, session information, and booking details without feeling overwhelmed.
Throughout the design process, we focused on:
- Creating strong visual hierarchy so the photography remains the focal point
- Simplifying navigation so visitors can quickly find session details
- Structuring pages to guide potential clients toward inquiry and booking
- Ensuring the overall design aligned with Cat’s elevated brand and pricing
- Creating curated galleries for individual weddings and family sessions
The final site balances artistry with usability, making it easy for visitors to explore her work and take the next step.
02. The Process
Building a Site That Balances Visual Storytelling and Clarity
The finished website now presents Cat’s photography with the clarity and professionalism it deserves.
The new site:
Most importantly, Cat's website now aligns with the level of work she consistently delivers to her clients.
The new site:
- Places the photography front and center
- Communicates her services clearly
- Positions her as a photographer serving Northwest Indiana, Southwest Michigan, and Chicago
- Creates a more polished experience for potential clients
Most importantly, Cat's website now aligns with the level of work she consistently delivers to her clients.
03. the outcome
A Website That Reflects the Quality of the Work
