PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY, BRANDING & WEBSITE DESIGN
Looking for professional photography, branding, or a website that not only looks impressive but also helps your ideal clients find, trust, and connect with you? Whether you're in Wilmington, Jacksonville, New Bern, Emerald Isle, or anywhere along the North Carolina coast, I make the process seamless with no tech stress, no wasted time. Just a polished, functional online presence designed to help you stand out and grow.
I help small businesses stand out with professional visuals, connect with customers through branding, and grow with websites that convert!
I do all of this in coordination with coaching photographers to refine their brand, attract ideal clients, and build a thriving business.
I get it! Running your small business while building a brand, keeping up with visuals, and making sure your website is converting can be overwhelming.
You want a brand that’s polished but still feels like you, images that do the talking, and a website that’s as functional as it is beautiful. I’m here to take the stress out of the creative aspects of your business so you can focus on what you love!
I'm a mom, wife, & creative in Coastal NC embracing slow living and having fun in the day to day.
From a Registered Dietitian to a full-time creative, I pursued my passion for photography and design while earning my Master's in Nutrition Science.
In 2018, I fully jumped into the world of photography and design, and I haven't glanced back since!
I’m truly passionate about what I do, and helping other small businesses thrive is incredibly fulfilling for me. It brings me immense joy to see my clients succeed and grow, knowing I’ve played a part in their journey.
Let's get started >
Whether you need stunning visuals, engaging branding, or a website that works as hard as you do. I’m here to simplify the creative process and support your business's growth! As an experienced creative and business owner, you can trust me to build a brand and visuals that connect and stand out.
YOUR BUSINESS,
YOUR GOALS,
my support.
COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Put down the phone camera and STAND OUT with professional photos for your business! Professional Commercial Photography will capture your customer's attention and build trust.
Well-executed visuals are essential across websites, social media, and marketing materials, as they communicate professionalism and make your business memorable! Product Photography, Headshots and Branding for your business are available in Jacksonville & Wilmington NC and beyond.
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WEBSITE
DESIGN
A professionally designed website goes FAR beyond just looking good!
It's built with SEO in mind so Google can find it, optimized for mobile and desktop, designed thoughtfully to make navigation effortless for visitors, and shows off the personality of your business!
These elements establish credibility, communicate your brand’s message, and make it easy for customers to connect with you.
With the right strategy, your website is not just a placeholder—it’s a powerful tool to build credibility, engage customers, and drive growth!
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BRANDING for
BUSINESSES
Branding is more than just a logo; it’s your business's presence in the world and often the first thing customers notice about your business. A professionally crafted brand includes every visual detail—your logo, typography, color palette, and even custom illustrations—all working together to create a lasting impression.
With a cohesive brand kit, you’ll have everything you need to stay recognizable and professional wherever you show up. Great branding builds trust, forms connections, and makes your business stand out in a way that feels authentically YOU.
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SHOWIT WEBSITE TEMPLATES & resources for businesses
My Showit Website Templates are crafted for effortless drag-and-drop customization, empowering you to create a stunning and professional online presence without the stress.
Each template is fully responsive, ensuring a seamless experience on both mobile and desktop. With features like easy media integration and extensive customization options, you can tailor every detail to reflect your unique brand.
In addition to Showit Website Templates, I offer essential resources for business owners, including a Wedding Experience Guide and a Pricing Guide for Wedding Photographers. These professionally designed guides will help you elevate your client experience and communicate your value while achieving profitability in your business.
Everything you need to leave a lasting impression and grow your business is right here!
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PRIVATE PHOTO EDITOR for PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS
Are you a professional photographer feeling swamped by endless editing? I’m a Private Photo Editor for Professionals and would be happy to help! I edit in all styles and genres of photography.
My private photo editing services let you focus on what you love, capturing beautiful moments with your artistic vision and style while I handle the behind-the-scenes work.
With you as the creative director of your style and my experience in Lightroom and professional photo editing, I'll edit your images to keep your galleries consistently stunning, all while saving you time and hassle!
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- JESS FRY
"Marissa consistently surpasses my expectations with her exceptional skills and creativity. She seamlessly combined her expertise with my vision, resulting in a final product that blew my mind. What sets Marissa apart is her ability to not only understand and execute her client’s ideas but also elevate them to a whole new level.
I truly appreciated Marissa's approach to feedback – she creates an environment where honest critique is not only welcomed but encouraged. Working with Marissa is a true collaborative journey where your input is valued and prioritized.
One of Marissa's most remarkable attributes is her incredible turnaround time. I remain in awe of how efficiently she brings ideas to life without compromising quality.
If you have any lingering business or branding projects that have been on your to-do list for longer than you’d like to admit, I wholeheartedly recommend reaching out to Marissa. She is an invaluable asset that makes investing in her services undoubtedly worth every penny.”
- KATIERA SELLERS
'"Marissa is incredible to say the least and she is a MUST HAVE in your business! I reached out to Marissa at the end of last year after a friend referred her to me. With 26 weddings booked for this year I had to have help! I was incredibly overwhelmed and burnt out, and just needed more time in my business and life to do the things I love!
From the moment Marissa and I talked I knew we were the perfect fit. Not only is she one of the kindest and most genuine people you'll ever meet, she is extremely organized, her communication is incredible, and her turn around times are absolutely unreal! She has walked me through every step and makes the outsourcing process so simple! Marissa has saved me so many late nights, tears upon tears, and time! She is absolutely invaluable in my business and there is no way I would function or run a successful business without her! If you are considering hiring her, just do it! It will be the best decision you've ever made in your business!"
- JOSIE KITCH
Where do I even begin with how incredible Marissa is.
She has played a pivotal role in my business over the last 4 years. From my editor to my website and brand designer, she has been such an asset to me.
She recently redid my brand and website for me and went above and beyond my expectations. Her significant help with my SEO has already proven to be successful within weeks of launching my new site.
She is precise and professional and does not treat you as a client, but a friend. I cannot recommend her enough!
the blog
PHOTOGRAPHY
EDITING TIPS
SEO TIPS
WEBSITE DESIGN
BRANDING DESIGN
SHOWIT WEBSITE TEMPLATES
PHOTOGRAPHY, DESIGN, BUSINESS EDUCATION & more
LATEST BUSINESS POSTS
Starting a photography business is an exciting journey, but ensuring long-term profitability requires more than just taking beautiful images. Whether you’re just getting started or refining your business structure, following the right steps in the correct order will set you up for success. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to start a profitable and successful photography business.
1. Define Your Photography Business Vision and Niche
Before anything else, you need to be clear on what kind of photographer you want to be and who your ideal clients are! This ensures that every decision from branding to pricing aligns with your long term goals. This will help focus your branding and marketing efforts as an expert in that niche. It prevents wasting time on services that don’t match your strengths. And, it attracts the clients in the niche you want to serve instead of trying to serve everyone.
2. Choose & Secure a Business Name for your Photography Business
Your business name is the foundation of your brand, and you need to secure it before creating a website, social media accounts, or marketing materials! Make sure it reflects your style and services.
3. Register Your Photography Business (Legal and Tax Setup)
Make your business official by registering it legally. Depending on your location, this could mean forming an LLC, sole proprietorship, or corporation. Obtain necessary licenses and set up tax structures to ensure compliance and avoid financial headaches later. Doing this will protect your personal assets, allow you to legally collect and remit sales tax if required, and givves your business an EIN number for taxes and banking.
4. Set Up Your Photography Business Banking and Finances
Separate your personal and business finances by opening a dedicated business bank account. This simplifies accounting, makes tax filing easier, and adds professionalism to your business. Consider using accounting software to track expenses and revenue.
5. Obtain Legal Contracts and Photography Business Insurance
Protect yourself and your clients with solid contracts that outline expectations, deliverables, and payment terms. Investing in business insurance safeguards you against liabilities, damages, and unforeseen circumstances.
6. Build a Portfolio and Photography Editing Style
Before charging rates to sustain and grow your business, you need a strong portfolio and a consistent style and editing. Use this time to do free or discounted shoots, styled shoots, second shooting, and keep gaining experience to practice your skills!
7. Set Photography Pricing and Packages
Develop pricing that reflects your skill, experience, and market demand. Consider your costs, profit margins, and the value you bring to clients. Offer structured packages that make booking easy while ensuring profitability and leave room to upsell. I can help you with this! Here is a 47 page photography pricing guide and google sheet pricing calculator that helps you understand and calculate your cost of doing business along with how to price yourself to generate a profit! FINALLY, feel confident in charging your pricing because you understand the WHY behind it.
8. Professional Branding and Website Design for Photographers
Your website and branding work together to establish your credibility, attract clients, and create a consistent, professional identity. Without strong branding, your website can feel generic or unprofessional. Invest in a well-designed, user-friendly website that showcases your portfolio, services, and booking process. Strong branding, including logos, colors, typography, and messaging, builds trust and recognition. Check out my showit website templates here and branding services here.
9. Establish Social Media and Marketing Strategy
Leverage social media to attract and engage potential clients. Develop a strategy that includes regular posting, storytelling, and engagement. Utilize SEO, email marketing, and content creation to expand your reach. Social media is essential for brand awareness and client engagement, helping you attract your ideal clients and generate bookings!
10. Marketing and Gathering Testimonials for your Photography Business
Consistent marketing efforts, such as blogging, collaborations, and networking, help grow your business. Encourage satisfied clients to leave testimonials and reviews to build credibility and attract more inquiries. Even with a great portfolio and website, clients won’t come unless you actively market yourself on your website, social media, and in person! Share your work and discuss what you do while networking with others.
11. Invest in Equipment and Continuous Education
While gear is important, skills and knowledge matter more when you are starting out. Invest in better equipment when your business demands it.
12. Outsource Aspects of Your Photography Business When Needed
Running a photography business means WEARING MANY HATS! Photographer, marketer, editor, designer, accountant, customer service rep, AND MORE. But, trying to do it all yourself can lead to BURNOUT and LIMIT your growth. The most SUCCESSFUL photographers focus on their strengths like shooting, creativity, client relationships! And, outsource the rest to trusted professionals and experts in their own industry. This will give you a great return on investment, a tax write off, and allow you to support another small businesses! Learn more about outsourcing your editing here!
Feeling Overwhelmed? Need more help with how to start a profitable and successful Photography Business? Learn about my 1:1 Business Coaching for Photographers!
If these steps feel overwhelming, or if you’ve started but feel stuck, you’re not alone. Many photographers know what they need to do but struggle with execution. That’s where I come in!
With 1:1 Business Coaching for Photographers, I help photographers like you run profitable businesses by diving deep into every aspect from branding, marketing, pricing, AND strategy then creating action plans to help you grow, streamline, and succeed. Learn more and get a free consult here!
YOUR time AS
A BUSINESS OWNER IS VALUABLE.
Managing your business is a full-time job, and you don’t need the added stress of handling all the creative projects your business needs to grow!
That’s where I come in.
I’ll take care of everything from photography and professional editing to branding and website design that connects you with your customers. You can focus on what you do best while I deliver results without the hassle.
Let's get started >
