SEO for Photographers: A Simple Guide That Finally Makes Sense
If you’ve ever heard someone say “just use SEO” like it’s some kind of magic wand and you nodded along pretending to understand, this is for you.
Most photographers know they should care about SEO. But the second they Google it, they’re hit with tech jargon, conflicting advice, and blog posts that make them want to close the tab and go cry into a pint of ice cream.
We’re not doing that here.
We’re breaking it all down in plain language. No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just the stuff that actually matters, explained in a way that makes you go, “Ohhh. I get it now.”
First: What is SEO for photographers?
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It’s what helps your website show up on Google when someone searches for what you offer.
If you’re a photographer in Atlanta and someone types “Atlanta Maternity Photographer” into the search bar, SEO is what helps your site appear in the results. It’s not ads. It’s not hashtags. It’s how your website tells Google what you do and who you do it for.
That’s it. That’s the whole goal.
Second: You Don’t Get to Just Pick a Keyword
You can’t just make up a cute phrase and hope Google ranks it. “Golden Light Memories” might be the name of your business, but unless someone types that exact phrase into Google, they’re not going to find you.
Instead, you need to choose keywords people are already searching for. Things like:
“Dallas Family Photographer”
“Birmingham Newborn Photography Studio”
“Best Maternity Photographer in Tampa”
You can use tools like Keywords Everywhere (our fav), Ubersuggest or Google Keyword Planner to check what people are actually typing into the search bar. Look for keywords with volume. That’s your starting point.
Third: You Need a Website Map (Not a Guessing Game)
Your website needs structure. Every page should have a purpose, a focus, and a keyword that makes sense.
If you try to rank every page for the same keyword, you’re not helping yourself. You’re confusing Google and competing with your own pages. It’s called “keyword cannibalization” and yes, it’s as bad as it sounds.
Here’s an example of a smart layout:
Homepage: Austin Family Photographer
Maternity Page: Austin Maternity Photographer
Newborn Page: Austin Newborn Photographer
About Page: About Your Austin Photographer
Pricing Page: Austin Portrait Pricing
Portfolio Page: Central Texas Photography Portfolio (a keyword variation that doesn’t compete with the homepage)
Each one targets a different term that people are actually looking for. When done right, they all work together to boost your visibility.
Fourth: What All the SEO Terms Actually Mean
Let’s break down the words you’ve probably seen in your Showit or WordPress dashboard and wondered, “Am I supposed to know what that is?”
Main Keyword
This is the phrase you want your page to rank for. It should match what people are typing into Google.
Example: “Denver Family Photographer”
Meta Title
This is the clickable blue link that shows up in Google. Keep it under 60 characters and put your keyword toward the front.
Example: “Denver Family Photographer | Your Studio Name”
Meta Description
This is the short blurb under your meta title. Think of it like a mini ad for your site. Keep it under 160 characters. Make it sound like you and include your keyword naturally.
Example: “Beautiful family photography for Denver families. Relaxed sessions and beautiful results”
H1 (Header 1)
The main headline on your page. You should only have one. It should include your keyword or something very close to it.
Example: “Family Photography in Denver That Feels Effortless”
H2s and H3s
These are subheadings. H2s can introduce sections. H3s are smaller subpoints underneath. Google uses these to understand your content, and they help your readers skim.
Alt Text
Alt text describes what’s in your image. It’s used by screen readers and Google so be short and descriptive. If your keyword fits naturally, use it.
Example: “Mom holding newborn baby during studio session in Austin”
Image Title
This is the file name of your photo. Before you upload it, rename it to something intentional. Some websites (like Wordpress) allow you to rename after uploading.
Instead of IMG_001.jpg, use:
“austin-newborn-session.jpg”
Where to Start: SEO for Your Homepage (Then Rinse and Repeat)
If your head’s spinning a little, take a breath. You don’t need to do your entire website today.
Start with your homepage. Once that’s done, copy the process for every other page.
Here’s a step-by-step that keeps it simple:
Step 1: Choose your main keyword
Pick one that includes your location and service, like “San Diego Maternity Photographer.”
Step 2: Write your H1
Make it feel like you. Don’t force it.
Example: “Natural Maternity Photography for San Diego Mothers”
Step 3: Write your meta title and description
Title: Include your keyword
Description: One or two clear sentences that describe what you do and who you serve
Step 4: Use your keyword naturally
Sprinkle it in your first paragraph, maybe in one H2, and again at the bottom. It should feel natural, not robotic.
Step 5: Rename your images and add alt text
Before uploading, rename the file. Then add alt text that describes the image simply.
Step 6: Hit publish
Don’t obsess. Just start. You can tweak later.
One More Thing: Tell Google You Exist
If your website is brand new or you’ve made changes, Google isn’t going to instantly know. You have to ask it to come look.
Step 1: Set up Google Search Console
Go to search.google.com/search-console and follow the steps to add your site. You’ll need to verify it with a small code or plugin.
Step 2: Submit your sitemap
This is a list of your pages. You can usually find it at:
WordPress: yourwebsite.com/sitemap_index.xml
Showit or Squarespace: yourwebsite.com/sitemap.xml
Paste that URL into the “Sitemaps” section in Search Console.
Step 3: Request indexing
Paste each page URL into the top search bar in Search Console and click “Request Indexing.” This helps Google find and crawl your pages faster.
Final Thoughts on Beginner SEO for Photographers
SEO isn’t magic. It’s also not that complicated once you know what all the pieces mean and where to start.
Pick smart keywords.
Structure your pages with intention.
Use natural language.
Tell Google what’s what.
Once you get the hang of it, you’ll realize SEO is the quiet engine that keeps running in the background. It doesn’t ask for your attention every day. It just keeps bringing new people to your site.
And that’s the kind of marketing we can all get behind.
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P.S. We’re recording a podcast episode on this exact topic. We’ll walk through real examples, share what not to do, and help you audit your site without wanting to rip it down and start over. Coming soon on The Work Between.
