Education

Growing up, I was the absolute worst person to buy presents for.
My family always expressed their frustration with me because, in their words, “I was difficult and picky.” In their recollections, I’d rather wear the same thing every day than wear something I didn’t like. What can I say? I liked what I liked.

In some ways, that still rings true today.

Before I began my career in photography, I had no idea what my style would be. Was I moody? Bright and airy? Editorial? Joyful? Adventurous? The truth is—I liked it all. To me, a photo was powerful when it felt raw, intentional, emotional, and told a story. I wasn’t concerned with fitting into a specific style. I just knew what moved me, and I let that (and the Instagram algorithm) guide me.

Over time, my style has evolved. It’s shifted back and forth, but with every wedding and portrait session, the vision became clearer. I realized I loved the look of film—the muted tones, the graininess, the depth and contrast. I loved that it felt timeless. But I also love weddings that are eclectic and fun. I love the authenticity of documentary-style photography, but I’m equally drawn to creating editorial imagery.

In short: I don’t like being boxed into a category. There’s no one-sentence phrase that fully describes my work. You just have to look—and see if you feel something.

When did I know it was time for a change?

I started to notice a disconnect when I would browse the websites of photographers I admired. My website did its job—it displayed my work, and I’m forever grateful for the clients it helped me reach—but it didn’t shine. It didn’t reflect the clarity and confidence I’d finally found in my creative identity.

A website redesign is a lot like a home renovation. Your site should feel welcoming to your visitors. It should reflect your style, your personality, your values. Mine had become a patchwork of elements I liked from various ShowIt templates—functional, yes, but no longer aligned with the artist I was becoming.

And yes, I had all the usual doubts:
Do I really need a new website?
My old one still brings in inquiries.
Why fix what isn’t broken?
A new site is expensive—that money could go elsewhere!

But as my business grew and I started getting more inquiries—especially from planners—I knew I had to invest in something that felt more me. I wanted a site that would not only showcase my work but serve as a true hub: a place where photographers can find resources to help them grow, too.

Your website should be professional, structured, efficient, and a visual extension of your brand. Because that’s how you attract the kind of clients you want to work with. And to me, that’s a worthy investment.

New website, who’s this?

Luckily, I already knew exactly who I wanted to work with: Jacki Miller of Foil & Ink.

I’d admired Jacki’s work for years. Funny enough, every time I stumbled across a photographer’s website that I loved, it turned out Jacki and her team were behind it. Her designs always felt timeless, modern, stylish, and sophisticated—and I knew I wanted that same elevated look for my brand.

Working with Jacki and her team was such a smooth and thoughtful process. Her brand discovery experience helped me articulate what I was drawn to. I realized I loved minimal structure, but not overly simple. I craved muted and desaturated tones. I wanted my work to feel ethereal and dreamy, but also bold and artistic. Most of all, I wanted my site to evoke a sense of fun, spontaneity, and excitement.

It took time (and lots of thoughtful decision-making), but I couldn’t be happier with the end result. I’m so grateful to Jacki and the Foil & Ink team for their patience, creativity, and partnership in bringing this vision to life. It feels like I’ve finally built a home that reflects who I am as an artist.

Thanks for reading. I hope you love this new chapter as much as I do.

– Moni