In today’s digital world, photographers need more than just a great eye for detail they need to be found online. But when you’re balancing gear costs, client meetings, and hours of editing, investing in expensive SEO campaigns might feel out of reach. The good news? You can significantly improve your search visibility with some simple, budget-friendly strategies.
Here are Best SEO For Photographers tips that don’t cost much but can bring in more organic traffic and inquiries.
1. Optimize Image File Names Before Uploading
As a photographer, your website is packed with images. But search engines can’t “see” your photos they read filenames. Instead of uploading images named IMG_4837.jpg, rename them descriptively based on the content and location.
Before:
IMG_4837.jpg
After:
wedding-photographer-seattle-bride-groom.jpg
This tiny change helps search engines understand your content, especially for Google Image Search. Bonus: clients searching for specific event types or locations are more likely to find you.
2. Use Alt Text Strategically
Alt text serves two purposes: it improves accessibility for screen readers and helps Google understand what’s in your images.
For each image you upload, write a short, descriptive alt tag that includes a keyword if it feels natural.
Example:
Alt Text: “Bride and groom during golden hour wedding shoot at Discovery Park in Seattle”
Avoid keyword stuffing—keep it authentic and descriptive.
3. Set Up a Google Business Profile
This is one of the most powerful free tools available to photographers. If someone Googles “wedding photographer near me,” Google Business Profiles appear at the top in the local pack.
Make sure to:
- Fill out all details (contact info, service area, categories)
- Upload high-quality images
- Encourage happy clients to leave reviews
Even if you work from home or on-location only, you can hide your address and list a service area.
4. Focus on Local Keywords
“SEO” can feel overwhelming, but photographers benefit most from local SEO. People don’t search for “best photographer” they search “best engagement photographer in Austin.”
Identify your service area and target local keywords. Use phrases like:
- “Newborn photographer in Chicago”
- “Elopement photographer Joshua Tree”
- “San Diego lifestyle photography”
Incorporate these naturally into your homepage, about page, and service pages.
5. Create Separate Pages for Each Service
Instead of listing everything on a single “services” page, create individual pages for:
- Weddings
- Portraits
- Maternity
- Branding
- Events, etc.
Each page can target specific keywords, and you can tailor the content to answer questions your ideal clients are likely asking.
Search engines love specificity.
6. Start a Blog (Yes, Really)
You don’t need to blog every week. But posting even once or twice a month can build long-term SEO momentum.
What to blog about?
- Recent client sessions (with location names!)
- Behind-the-scenes of a shoot
- Tips for what to wear to a shoot
- Best engagement photo spots in your city
- How to prepare for a family session
Each blog post adds keywords and helpful content to your site, building authority over time.
7. Link to Vendors and Locations
Did you shoot a wedding at a popular venue? Tag and link to them! If you worked with a florist or planner, mention them in your blog or captions.
Why this works:
- You build relationships (they might link back!)
- You’re creating relevant outbound links (Google likes this)
- It naturally adds location-based keywords to your site
Example:
“Sarah and Dave’s boho wedding at The Glass Chapel in Tulsa was nothing short of magical. With florals by Rose & Twine and coordination from Ever After Events, every detail was…”
8. Add Testimonials with Keywords
Don’t just paste in a client’s review—optimize it.
Example before:
“She was amazing to work with and made us feel comfortable!”
Example after:
“We were looking for a family photographer in Denver and found [Your Name]—she was amazing to work with and made us feel comfortable during our shoot in Washington Park.”
A small tweak like this keeps it natural but adds key search terms like your niche and location.
9. Use Free Tools Like Google Search Console
This tool helps you see what keywords your website is already ranking for—and where you can improve.
You might discover you’re ranking #9 for “Seattle maternity photographer”—just on the edge of page 1. A bit of content optimization or an internal link boost could bump you higher.
Set up is free and relatively simple. Once connected, check:
- Performance > Queries
- Clicks and impressions
- Pages that are ranking
Make data-driven updates!
10. Optimize Website Speed and Mobile Experience
Slow websites = lost clients and lower rankings.
Use PageSpeed Insights to analyze your site. Common issues:
- Images too large (compress using TinyPNG)
- Too many plugins
- Not mobile-friendly layout
Most photographers can speed up their sites with:
- Lighter image files
- Cleaner design
- A good website builder (like Showit, Squarespace, or WordPress with a fast theme)
11. Get Backlinks the Natural Way
Backlinks (other sites linking to yours) are powerful for SEO, but you don’t need to chase big publications to get started.
Easy backlink opportunities:
- Submit your work to local wedding blogs or magazines
- Join directories like The Knot, WeddingWire, or niche local sites
- Collaborate with vendors and ask to be listed as a preferred photographer
- Share your blog posts with venues and offer them use of watermarked images in exchange for a link
12. Embed a Map and Local Details on Your Contact Page
Photographers often forget the contact page is prime SEO real estate.
Include:
- A map with your general service area
- Local landmarks or neighborhoods you serve
- A clear call to action
Even adding a line like, “I photograph families across the North Shore, including Evanston, Wilmette, and Winnetka,” adds more geographic relevance to your site.
13. Keep URLs Short and Clear
Instead of: yourwebsite.com/blog/2024/04/14/photo-shoot-45324
Use: yourwebsite.com/blog/golden-hour-couples-session-los-angeles
Clean URLs improve user experience and SEO. Bonus if you can naturally include location + type of shoot.
14. Use Schema Markup (No Coding Required)
Schema is a bit of code that helps Google understand your content better. For photographers, you can use Local Business schema to highlight:
- Your name
- Type of business
- Location
- Phone number
Tools like technicalseo.com/tools/schema-markup-generator make it easy to copy and paste into your site, no advanced tech skills needed.
15. Build Internal Links
Link between related pages and blog posts on your site.
Example:
In a blog post about a recent elopement shoot, link to your elopement packages page. On your maternity page, link to a blog post like “5 Tips for a Stress-Free Newborn Session”.
This helps visitors navigate your site and signals to Google which pages are most important.
Final Thoughts
SEO doesn’t have to be expensive or overwhelming. With just a few hours a month, photographers can make meaningful changes that improve rankings, increase visibility, and bring in more ideal clients organically.
The key is to be consistent, stay local, and think like your client. What are they typing into Google? How can you answer that with your content? Start with a few of these easy SEO wins, and you’ll be surprised how much your online presence grows without spending a dime.
