Brands and websites that make booking you feel like the obvious choice

 
Creating nostalgic, cinematic brands for photographers who see the world in vintage reels

People looove your photography… but when they land on your website? That's where things get awkward.
Here's the thing—your ideal clients are already emotional when they find you. Your site should match that energy.

Now booking projects for August 2025 and beyond

  You might’ve seen my clients in

A desk with a MacBook displaying a webpage titled 'Nostalgia,' a pair of glasses, and decorative vases with dried plants, set against a plain wall.

Your clients? They’re not just looking for pretty photos —

So you know that feeling when you're scrolling through a photographer's work and you're like "wow, this is exactly what I want" — but then their website makes you second-guess everything?

Yeah, that's the problem.

Your clients are already emotional when they find you. They're planning their wedding, expecting their first baby, watching their kids grow up way too fast.

They're not just looking for pretty photos — they're looking for someone who'll document the biggest moments of their lives.

Your website should match what they're feeling. Warm, understood, confident.

It should guide them from "I love this work" to "I need to book them right now."

That's exactly what I design for — websites that make people feel seen and safe to reach out. Not just pretty galleries, but experiences that honor what your clients are going through.

I’ve worked with brands you may have seen in Forbes, Target, The New York Times and more.

A person standing inside, gazing out at lush tropical palm trees.
A wooden chair with a black woven seat and backrest, placed near a glass door. On the chair's cushion, there are a white cloth item, a vintage camera, and a black textured mat.

The thing that's actually killing your bookings

Your photos stop people mid-scroll. But your website? It's making them question your rates.

Here's what's happening:

Your mobile site feels clunky (and that's where 80% of your traffic is coming from)

01


Generic templates that look like everyone else's (your work deserves to stand out)

02


Contact forms buried so deep clients give up looking

03


Copy that honestly could belong to anyone

04


No clear path from "wow" to "book now"

05


A blurred person walking past a beige sofa in a modern living room with large windows, a dark accent wall, and minimalist decor.

The result?

Clients love your work but hire someone else who feels more professional online.

 

I’m Maria —
the hooman behind Tides Studio.

After 5 years building websites for major brands (think Anomaly Haircare by Priyanka Chopra-Jonas, Mix:Bar New York — stuff you've probably seen in Vogue and Forbes), I decided to focus on photographers who capture life's most meaningful moments.

Why photographers? Honestly, I believe your work documents the stuff that actually matters. Plus, I totally dreamed of being a photographer when I was little ♡

Uh-huh. I've worked with brands you may have seen in Forbes, Target, The New York Times and more.⊹ ࣪ ˖

 
 
Minimal brand identity mockups for photographers, showing custom business card and stationery design.

What actually changes when your brand finally feels like you

Clients book faster

Your brand makes the choice feel obvious


You feel confident sharing your work

Your brand actually represents the artist you've become


Referrals happen naturally

People love showing off your beautiful brand


Premium pricing feels justified

Everything looks and feels intentionally crafted


You stop second-guessing yourself

You finally feel proud of what you've built


services & investment

Design + Development + Strategy.
One person. No miscommunication.

 

Whether you're ready to book your dream clients or you're just tired of your brand feeling off and you just don't know why (right?! We've all been there) — I've got a few ways to help.

 

Here's how we can work together

  • Close-up of a couple, one with a joyful expression and the other with hands on chin, with 'MAYA CHEN' branding written across image

    Full Brand + Website Projects

    The whole shebang — brand identity, website, everything

    When you're ready for the complete transformation. We start from scratch or build on what you already love.

  • Person sitting cross-legged on a black textured rug, using a silver laptop and holding an open planner with a black pen.

    Website-Only Projects

    You love your brand, just need the website to match

    Perfect for when your branding feels right but your website... doesn't.

  • Open laptop on a white table displaying the website developed by Tides Studio of Anomaly Haircare by Priyanka Chopra-Jonas, with two white vases beside it on the left.

    VIP Days

    One day, big impact

    Brand refresh, website tweaks, or template setup. Quick fixes when you don't need the full experience.

  • A tablet displaying a health and wellness website for Adelz. Brand and web design by Tides Studio.

    Copywriting Add-On

    Because words matter too

    I can write the copy for your pages so you don't have to stare at a blank screen wondering what to say.

Not sure what makes sense for where you're at?
Just tell me what's bugging you about your current situation and we'll figure it out together.

A webpage featuring a mama and her children, with sections about storytelling photography services, showcasing photos of a family by the water, a mother and her children hugging, and more family moments.
A photograph inside an elegant white envelope with cursive text reading 'Tides' and 'Studio' on the outside. The photograph shows a family standing in shallow water, smiling, with a cloudy sky in the background. The overlay text on the photograph reads 'BEC ZACHER, honest storytelling - artfully captured' with options for 'PHOTO' and 'FILMS'.

My brand and website now feel perfectly aligned with my work—and I couldn’t be happier. Maria took my vision and pushed it further than I could’ve done alone.

– Bec Zacher, Family Photographer

Bec Zacher
family photographer

Squarespace website + brand identity for a Gold Coast family photographer


View Case Study →

( Sela Volk Studio / Branding )

( Sela Volk Studio / Branding )

Past Projects &
Letters from Clients

( Sela Volk Studio / Branding )

“Maria’s branding process was so thoughtful and clear. What I got wasn’t just a logo—it was a full identity that made my brand feel real, cohesive, and confident.

— Sela Volk

Brand identity for a visual poetry photographer

Graphic with text displaying 'sedalvok Visual Poetry,' with the words 'ESTD 2023' at the top, and a logo with two symmetrical swirls at the center.
A woman lies on a beige sofa, holding a book open with her hand, wearing rings and a bracelet.
A person with brown hair tied in a bun reading a magazine at a beige marble coffee table in a living room with beige and white furniture, candles, books, plants, and decorative items.

The questions everyone asks

What if I'm not tech-savvy at all?
That’s why we’re on Squarespace!♡ Everything's built to be manageable + you get complete training and 30 days of support (because I'm not just going to leave you hanging).

How involved do I need to be?
You make the big decisions and give feedback. I handle all the technical stuff.

Do you work with newer photographers?
Totally, as long as you're serious about professional presentation and get that it's a business investment.

Do you work with photographers outside Manila?
Yep! Most of my work happens online anyway. As long as you're good with video calls, location doesn't matter.

How much does website design cost for photographers?
Investment starts at $800 for brand identity, $1,800 for websites, $2,400 for the full package.⊹ ࣪ ˖

Payment options?
50% to start, 50% when we're done. Payment plans available if you need them.

A woman in a floral bikini top and black bikini bottoms walking along a sandy beach with the ocean and waves in the background.
A few random things about me

5 years building websites for major brands that actually convert

01


Built websites for Anomaly Haircare and Mix:Bar New York in less than 7 days (I work fast ⊹ ࣪ ˖ )

02


My clients have been featured in The New York Times, Vogue, Forbes, Marie Claire

03


I'm a Squarespace Expert — Circle Member, Standout Alumni, oh y’know the whole thing.¯\_(ツ)_/¯

04


Why photographers? Your work captures the moments that actually matter (+ little me totally wanted to be a photographer ♡)

05


Ready to stop losing clients to awkward first impressions?

You've already proven you can create work worth premium rates. Now let's build the website that actually supports it.

Fill out the form to get started ♡

Black and white sketch of a person sitting on a bench, reading a book.