Beyond the Pretty: How to Optimize Your Website & Portfolio to Win More Clients TECH TALK By Katie Mast Y our website is your digital handshake. For wedding and event professionals, it often makes the first impression long before
mini-case study via your blog or add this verbiage to their gallery: “We worked with Ava and Leo, a long-distance couple planning from Chicago, to bring their dream Charleston celebration to life. With a six-month timeline and three different family traditions to honor, we created a weekend itinerary that blended Southern hospitality, Persian rituals, and modern design touches.” Be sure to show the key moments: the best event snapshots, the mood board, and the happy couple. • Although tempting, don’t highlight only your favorite portraits. Instead, organize galleries by story type: downtown elopements, luxury estate weddings, rainy day magic, etc. Adding commentary like, “This moody Brooklyn wedding took place during a surprise downpour, and we turned it into magic” helps the client put themselves in their shoes. • Showcase a range of what is possible. Instead of one gallery of past weddings, offer segmented views: indoor ceremonies, garden receptions, winter weddings, etc. Include different lighting scenarios, indoor and outdoor scenery, and color vs minimal to illustrate your flexibility. Bottom line: A portfolio that includes storytelling, captions, and context doesn’t just show that you’re talented and experienced; it proves you understand how to deliver results, and in today’s market, that’s what will book business.
you ever receive an inquiry. In fact, users form opinions about your website and online presence in general in less than seven seconds. That’s less time than it takes couples to say, “I do.” And while beautiful imagery is still essential, clients today aren’t just looking for a vibe. They’re looking for connection, clarity, and confidence that you’re the right fit for their vision. The good news? You don’t need to rebuild your site from scratch to impress. Sometimes, small but strategic updates can have a massive impact on how potential clients see you. Let’s break it down. Your portfolio isn’t just pretty—it’s persuasive In 2025, your portfolio should be more than just a curated collection of your best work. It’s a storytelling tool, and it’s the most powerful way to communicate the value of our services. Clients aren’t just evaluating how something looked ; they want to understand how it felt, what it meant, and how it all came together. Your portfolio should invite prospective clients into the whole story. Here are a few examples: • Instead of showcasing 20 random images from a wedding, build a
You don’t need to rebuild your site from scratch to impress. Sometimes, small but strategic updates can have a massive impact on how potential clients see you.
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SPECIAL EVENTS SUMMER 2025
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