If you’re a professional photographer, you’re probably already aware of the importance of a well-crafted website. But here’s the thing — what good does a stunning website do if nobody can find it? Luckily for you, that’s where SEO comes in! SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, helps you make sure your business’s website is put in front of the right eyes. Because it’s kind of a loaded conversation with lots of topics to cover, SEO can be kind of overwhelming! But don’t stress — you don’t need to be an SEO expert to implement simple yet effective strategies that work. In this post, I’ll break down some essential SEO tips for photographers, so potential clients can find your site, fall in love with your work, and book your services!
But before we dive in, make sure to get your hands on my free Website Audit Checklist for Photographers and Small Businesses! This handy checklist will guide you through evaluating important aspects of your site that could use some fine-tuning. Download the checklist today!
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Make sure your content is rich in keywords
Think of keywords as the bridge that connects you to your ideal clients. When someone searches for a “wedding photographer in San Diego” or “studio photographer for product photography,” we want your website to show up in those results! To do this, it’s important to make sure your content is rich in the keywords your ideal clients might be searching.
You might be wondering, “How do I know which keywords to use?”. First, you need a clear picture on what kind of audience you’re wanting to attract. Are you looking for wedding photography clients? If so, local or are you hoping to travel? Maybe you’re looking to work with business owners to shoot brand photography sessions?
Once you have a good idea on who you’re trying to work with, try putting yourself into their shoes. What would they be typing into Google? You can also use free tools like Google’s Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest to find relevant keywords.
Feel free to jot down your favorites onto a list! Once you have a few, strategically sprinkle them throughout your site. This means including them in places like page titles, blog content, and even image descriptions (but more on that later!).
Pro tip:
Don’t forget about location-based keywords! As a photographer, your services are most likely local, so include your city or region in your keywords. For example, “Chicago wedding photographer”. This will help you appear in local searches, which is key to booking more clients in your area. If you’re looking to book travel or destination sessions, location-based keywords can still be just as useful! Create dedicated pages or blog posts for the destinations you want to shoot in, using phrases like “destination wedding photographer in Santorini” or “Paris elopement photographer”. Even if you don’t necessarily live in these locations, optimizing your content with specific travel keywords can help you attract clients who are searching for photographers for those areas.
Optimize your website photos
As a photographer, photos are the bread and butter of your business! So, naturally, they should play a big part in your website’s SEO strategy, too! But here’s the thing — search engines can’t see your photos like we can. Instead, they read the text attached to them.
Below are the easiest ways you can optimize your photos for SEO, making them effective SEO tips for photographers.
Alt text: Alt text is the description of your image that search engines use to understand what it’s about. Additionally, it’s the text visually-impaired users hear when using read-aloud software. Because of this, we want to make sure each and every image has helpful alt text that describes the photo. When writing alt text, be descriptive and include your keywords. For example, instead of naming an image “IMG_1234,” try something like “Couple hugging after getting engaged on San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge.” Alt text is also what shows up if the image doesn’t load, so it’s useful any kind of user! Whichever website design software you’re using, there should be a spot for you to write your images’ alt text. Here’s what it looks like on Showit:
File names: Just like alt text, your image file names also matter. Before uploading your photos to your site, take some time to rename the files. Instead of generic file names like “DSC_4567.jpg,” use descriptive file names that include relevant keywords. For example, “destination-wedding-photographer-Tuscany.jpg.”
File size: While high-resolution images are essential for showcasing your beautiful photography work, if not properly optimized, they can significantly slow down your website. Not only do slow loading speeds frustrate visitors, it can also do some serious damage to your site’s SEO rankings. To avoid this, you can use compression tools to reduce image sizes without compromising quality. There are many free tools like this online, but I often use Optimizilla’s Online Image Optimizer. This site allows you to upload up to 20 images at a time to compress their file size, without making them blurry. I know you want your beautiful photos to stay as pristine as possible – and so do I! But make sure your image sizes reach no more than 1 MB at maximum, yet getting even lower is ideal.
Giving meta titles and descriptions to each page
Meta titles and descriptions might sound intimidating, but they’re really just short snippets of text that tell search engines what each page of your website is about. These little blurbs show up in search results, so they’re the first thing people see before clicking on your site.
Each page on your site should have its own unique page title (the clickable headline in search results) and meta description (the short paragraph underneath). Both should include relevant keywords to improve your chances of ranking higher in your ideal clients’ searches.
For example, if you’re a wedding photographer in New York, your homepage meta title might be something like “NYC Wedding Photographer | Capturing Authentic Love Stories.” Then, in the meta description, you could add a little more detail: “Looking for a professional wedding photographer in NYC? Specializing in timeless and natural photos that capture the real emotions of your big day.”
This not only helps with SEO but also gives potential clients a quick snapshot of who you are and what you offer. Here’s what it looks like on Showit:
Take advantage of backlinks
Ever heard the phrase “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know”? The same concept applies to SEO! Backlinks, links from other websites that point to your site, are a great way to boost your SEO ranking. Essentially, when other sites link to you, search engines see that as a vote of confidence. The more quality backlinks you have, the more trustworthy and authoritative your site appears to search engines.
How do you get backlinks? Start by reaching out to other professionals in your niche. If you’ve worked with a wedding planner, florist, or venue, ask them if they’d be willing to link to your site from theirs. This could be through a blog post interview, a photography credit link, or their page of recommended local photographers. If you want to take it a step further, you can also submit your work to photography blogs or industry websites for features and shoutouts. Backlinks are massively strategic when it comes to SEO tips for photographers, so don’t overlook them!
Bonus tip: Start a blog!
I know what you’re thinking… “Blogging? Is that even still a thing?!” But trust me, it sure is! (I mean… you’re here, aren’t you?) And starting a blog is one of the best things you can do for your photography website’s SEO! Not only does it allow you to regularly update your website with fresh content (which search engines love!), but it also gives you a chance to rank for even more keywords.
And don’t worry, you don’t have to blog every week (I mean, who has time for that?!). Instead, once or twice a month is plenty! To do this, write about topics that your ideal clients would be searching for. For example, try posts like, “Best Locations for Engagement Photos in Houston,” or “5 Tips for Feeling Comfortable in Front of the Camera.” Not only will this help you rank higher in search results, but it also positions you as an expert in your field, which builds trust with potential clients.
If there’s one thing I’d want you to take away from this post, it’s that SEO doesn’t have to be overwhelming! By following these simple SEO tips for photographers, you’ll be well on your way to getting your photography business found online.
And remember, SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time to see results, but the effort is well worth it when new clients start finding you organically.
If you’re ready to take your website to the next level, it’s time to start implementing these quick and easy SEO tips for photographers. And if you need help, don’t hesitate to reach out! I’d love to help you create an SEO-friendly site that not only showcases your work but also gets you booked!
And if you’re looking to take your SEO and user experience up a notch, download my free Website Audit Checklist for Photographers and Small Businesses! This checklist will help you go over and pinpoint specific aspects of your site that may need attention, ensuring you present the best possible website to potential clients. At the end, you’ll receive a website health score, letting you know whether or not your site needs a little TLC. Grab the checklist today!
Grab my free Website Audit Checklist for Photographers and Small Businesses to evaluate your website's performance, discover what changes you need to make, and why it matters!
Identify your website's weak points - and how to fix them.
Feeling overwhelmed, conflicted, or intimidated by the thought of branding? You're in the perfect place. I’m Karlie, and as the creative behind K Made Design Co., I breathe life into brands for photographers, solopreneurs, and small businesses owners like you every day. My role is to spotlight what makes you distinct and then propel you to stand out in your industry.
Overwhelmed by your own brand.
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Your reputation is pivotal, and I’ve heard that the leads you're seeking are side-eyeing yours. A piecemealed brand does no justice to your meticulously crafted client experience, services, and business structure. It’s time to align your external brand image with the exceptional quality of your services.
