Proposal by O!M
Carla Nel Photography
Websites Development and eCommerce Functionality
Client
Carla Nel Photography
Category
Website & eCommerce (UI/UX) Design
SEO (Search Engine Optimisation)
Analytics & Tracking (In-depth Reporting / Sales Funnels)
The Goal
The goal of this project is to develop a premium, secure and scalable digital platform for Carla Nel Photography that reflects both the quality of the brand and the diverse range of photography services offered.
As a professional photography studio serving schools, families, weddings, corporate clients and commercial projects, Carla Nel Photography requires more than a traditional portfolio website. The platform will combine service promotion, client engagement and e-commerce functionality with secure image delivery and protected client galleries.
Particular emphasis will be placed on supporting large-scale school photography workflows through secure access controls, user verification and POPIA-compliant image distribution, ensuring that parents and clients can access only the content relevant to them.
The platform will further incorporate online sales, automated customer communications, audience-building tools and scalable cloud infrastructure to support future growth while reducing administrative overhead and improving operational efficiency.
Ultimately, this project will provide Carla Nel Photography with a modern, elegant and future-focused digital foundation that strengthens the brand, enhances the customer experience and creates a sustainable platform for long-term growth.
The Challenge
Carla Nel Photography specialises in school and dance photography, producing and managing large volumes of individual and group photographs across multiple schools and organisations. While the business requires a modern website to showcase its portfolio and services, the primary challenge lies in the secure management, distribution and sale of photographic content to parents and clients.
Because a significant portion of these photographs depict minors, the platform must comply with POPIA requirements by ensuring that images are accessible only to authorised individuals. At the same time, the solution must remain intuitive and convenient for parents, allowing them to quickly locate, preview and purchase photographs associated with their own children.
The existing process involves considerable manual administration for organising galleries, managing orders, processing payments, communicating with customers and delivering final images. This creates operational inefficiencies, limits scalability and increases administrative overhead as the business grows.
The business therefore requires an integrated digital platform that combines secure client access, protected image previews, automated purchasing workflows and digital fulfilment within a seamless and easy-to-manage environment that supports both operational efficiency and future expansion.
The Blueprint
Vision
To deliver a modern, scalable and easy-to-manage digital platform for Carla Nel Photography that serves as a central hub for photography services, client galleries, secure image delivery and online sales. The platform will empower the Carla Nel Photography team to manage content, galleries and customer interactions independently while supporting business growth, audience development and a seamless experience for schools, families, corporate clients and event customers alike.
Approach
We are a web and digital agency driven by strategic thinking, creative problem-solving and a strong focus on user experience. Our approach is collaborative, practical and results-driven, creating digital platforms that are not only visually engaging but also easy to manage and built for long-term growth. For Carla Nel Photography, our goal is to deliver a premium digital platform that showcases the brand beautifully while supporting secure image delivery, online sales and seamless client experiences. The platform will empower the Carla Nel Photography team to manage content, galleries and customer interactions confidently and independently, while creating a scalable foundation for future growth across schools, weddings, corporate photography and commercial projects.
Ethos
As a team, we pride ourselves on building lasting client relationships through trust, transparency and a genuine commitment to adding value wherever possible. We view every project as an opportunity to learn, innovate and deepen our understanding of the industries and businesses we serve. While we continuously evolve alongside emerging technologies and changing digital landscapes, we remain firmly grounded in the core values of integrity, quality and meaningful collaboration that have shaped our approach from the beginning.
For us, successful digital platforms are built on more than technology alone. They are the result of strong partnerships, shared goals and a clear understanding of both operational requirements and long-term business objectives. This philosophy allows us to create solutions that not only meet immediate needs but continue to deliver value as our clients grow and evolve.
The Thinkings
The Timeline
Phase 1
Discovery, Sitemap Development, Security Planning & Platform Architecture (2 Weeks)
A detailed discovery phase to define project objectives, service offerings, user journeys, gallery workflows and platform requirements. Particular focus will be placed on secure image access, customer account management, POPIA considerations and the customer purchasing journey across schools, weddings, corporate clients and general photography services.
During this stage, the website sitemap, information architecture and technical solution architecture will be developed and approved to establish a clear foundation for the project and ensure scalability for future growth.
Project Design, Integrations & Platform Development (6-10 Weeks)
Design concepts, user interface development, custom platform architecture and the implementation of all required integrations, including e-commerce functionality, secure client galleries, customer account systems, email marketing automation, CRM integration and performance tracking.
This phase will also include the development of image delivery workflows, protected gallery environments, customer verification processes, online purchasing functionality and the supporting infrastructure required for large-scale image hosting and delivery.
Phase 2
Client Feedback & Revision Phase (2-4 Weeks)
Review of the proposed platform, collaborative feedback sessions, refinements and final approval of the design, user experience, gallery workflows, content structure and functionality. Particular attention will be given to ensuring that client access controls, image purchasing journeys and administrative workflows align with the operational requirements of Carla Nel Photography.
Development, Testing & Launch (2 Weeks)
Final implementation of all approved elements, system testing, content population, optimisation, quality assurance and deployment of the live website. This phase will include extensive testing of secure gallery access, customer account functionality, e-commerce processes, payment gateways, automated image delivery, email workflows and download permissions to ensure a seamless and reliable customer experience across all services.
Project Highlights
Atterbury Trust
eCommerce | Design | Print | Social Media
The challenge was to create a simplified navigation for a very complex and content heavy website. This was achieved by deep-diving into the SEO and actual user data to ensure each page is curated to ensure conversions and engagement.
Doc Scientia
eCommerce | Design | Print | Marketing
Combining eCommerce, physical product sales, wholesale and an online learning platform that directly integrates with the clients bookkeeping, multiple courier / pickup options and online payment services to ensure a seamless user journey.
Segura Emporium
The challenge was to create a refined and commercially effective brand presence that honours the credibility and history of Segura Emporium while modernising its visual identity for a more competitive and contemporary market. Particular focus was placed on improving online sales, strengthening visual identity, and creating a cohesive visual system that better communicates the quality and professionalism of the brand.
Bulletin
Redesigning this platform meant that we had to curate and custom code an entire new platform, ensuring that all features meets the exact needs of the client, their editors, journalists and paid subscribers. This included tiered access and custom backend management systems so that editors and admins can manage subscribers and content. on the go.
Die Hoërskool Menlopark
Design Optimisation | CMS | Calendar Integrations
The objective was to develop a sophisticated digital platform that reflects the stature and credibility of the institution while remaining welcoming and accessible to its community. Central to the project was the implementation of a user-friendly content management system, empowering staff to maintain and update the platform independently while ensuring information remains current, relevant and easily accessible.
Solar Online
Branding | eCommerce | Social Media
The new website not only had to look good, but directly integrate via API’s with the warehouse stock management systems provided by the client. We created a hub for all contact forms, lead submissions, online sales, finance calculators and ad campaigns to funnel prospects directly into the selected CRM System.
PSG Wealth Pretoria-East
The mission was simple; Create a digital footprint that embodies the legacy and values of PSG Wealth (Pretoria East). Visually engaging social media campaigns, structured to position the client as trustworthy and steadfast, but also approachable.
The Teleco Group
Branding | Web Design | Social Media
Future-forward with and an online presence inline with the groups corporate identity and personality. The website now serves mainly as a hub portal for the Teleco Team where client communications, follow-up and lead management is all done seamlessly on one single platform.
Breakdown
Strategy & Design
The project will commence with a dedicated discovery session, either in person or online, to discuss Carla Nel Photography’s operational requirements, service offerings, client journeys and long-term business objectives. This session will allow us to gain a clear understanding of the various areas of the business, including school photography, weddings, corporate work and commercial projects, while identifying the workflows, security requirements, integrations and management tools required to ensure the platform remains efficient, scalable and easy to maintain.
Once the initial direction has been established, a private staging website will be created and presented to the client, showcasing the proposed design direction, user experience, visual identity and overall platform structure. Particular focus will be placed on gallery access workflows, customer accounts, image purchasing journeys and the secure delivery of photographic content.
An integrated feedback system will be implemented to streamline communication and revision management, allowing all comments, changes and approvals to be tracked within a centralised environment throughout the development process. This approach ensures transparency, efficient collaboration and a structured path from concept through to launch.
Integrations & Implementation
As part of the platform rollout, we will integrate Brevo and Google Site Kit to support audience growth, customer engagement and performance tracking. Brevo will provide the foundation for subscriber management, email marketing, automated communications and customer segmentation, allowing Carla Nel Photography to build meaningful relationships with schools, parents and clients through targeted and relevant communication.
Google Site Kit will connect services such as Google Analytics, Search Console and PageSpeed Insights directly to the website dashboard, providing valuable insights into visitor behaviour, content performance and overall website effectiveness.
The website will be developed within a secure staging environment, allowing for testing, refinement and future development without impacting the live platform. Once approved, the website will be launched, fully backed up and supported by automated weekly backups with a 14-day retention period to ensure long-term stability and peace of mind.
To support the storage and delivery requirements of large image libraries, the platform will leverage scalable cloud infrastructure and CDN delivery to ensure secure, reliable and high-performance access to photographic content.
Costing
Phase 1 (Once-off)
Public-Facing Website:
A modern website showcasing photography services and more about the heart of the company while creating a seamless lead generation journey.
Subtotal:
VAT:
Total:
R 22,720.00
+ 15%
R 26,128.00
Phase 2 (Once-off)
Secure Client Access & Image Delivery:
Private galleries, shopping and downloadable libraries with role-based permissions, all managed directly on the new platform.
Subtotal:
VAT:
Total:
R 114,280.00
+ 15%
R 131,422.00
Combined Pricing Structure (Phase 1 & 2)
Should Carla Nel Photography elect to proceed with both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the project, OPTOG! Media is pleased to offer a once-off project discount of R17,000 on the total project value. This preferential pricing is offered in recognition of the efficiencies gained through delivering both phases as a single, continuous project.
As this discount is based on project continuity and resource allocation, it is subject to confirmation that both phases will proceed as proposed. This enables our team to plan development resources effectively and deliver the complete solution in the most efficient and cost-effective manner.
Phase 1 & 2 Combined Subtotal:
Discount:
VAT:
Total:
R 137,000.00
R 17,000.00
+ 15%
R 138,000.00
Retainer Agreement (Monthly)
The monthly retainer overview can only be finalised once the required systems, integrations and third-party applications have been confirmed and approved. Please note that OPTOG! Media cannot be held responsible for fluctuations in exchange rates, currency conversions or pricing adjustments implemented by third-party service providers.
Monthly hosting and infrastructure costs will be influenced primarily by the volume of cloud storage required. As image libraries grow, storage requirements may increase accordingly, and any associated costs will be discussed transparently with the client before implementation.
Subtotal:
VAT:
Total:
TBC
+ 15%
TBC
Additional Add-on Services
- Video production
- Audio production
- 360 Virtual tours
- Photography
- Copywriting
- Email marketing campaigns
- Graphic illustration
- Further API integrations
- Automated processes
- Social media management
- Paid digital advertising
- Ticketing solutions (Powered by Seatme)