How Photographers Can Get Found on Google: 5 Must-Know SEO Tips
If you’re a photographer and wondering how to show up when someone searches “photographer near me,” this post is for you. SEO (search engine optimization) might sound techy, but at its core, it’s about helping people who are already looking for what you offer to find you. It's about optimizing your online presence so that Google understands exactly who you are, what you do, and where you do it.
Let’s break it down into five smart, doable tips for photographers who want to get found on Google, plus some advanced strategies to truly stand out.
1. Keyword Research for Photographers: Finding What Clients Search
Think like your client: they’re typing “family photographer Staten Island” or “engagement photos NYC.” You've got the right idea! But let's go beyond the basics.
How to expand on this:
Long-Tail Keywords: Don't just stop at broad terms. Explore longer, more specific phrases that indicate higher search intent.
Examples: "best newborn photographer in [City] with natural light," "affordable wedding photography packages [City]," "senior portrait locations [City] fall," "what to wear for family photos in [Season/Setting]."
Keyword Research Tools: While Google Autocomplete and Keywords Everywhere are great, consider delving into more robust (and often free) tools:
Google Keyword Planner: Free with a Google Ads account (you don't need to run ads). It provides search volume data and competition levels.
Google Search Console: See the actual keywords people are using to find your site. This is invaluable for identifying existing opportunities.
"People Also Ask" and "Related Searches" on Google: These sections on Google's search results pages are goldmines for content ideas and keyword variations.
Placement is Key:
Homepage and Service Pages: Naturally weave keywords into your main service descriptions, about page, and contact page.
Page Titles (H1, H2, etc.): Your main headings should include your primary keywords. Google reads these to understand the topic of your page.
Meta Descriptions: While not a direct ranking factor, a compelling meta description (including keywords) entices users to click, which improves your click-through rate (CTR), a signal to Google that your content is relevant.
URL Structure: Keep your URLs clean, concise, and include keywords where relevant (e.g.,
yourdomain.com/family-photographer-staten-island).
2. image SEO for Photographers: Optimize Your Photos for Google Search
Your photos are your portfolio but they’re also a huge opportunity for SEO. You're on the right track with file names and alt text, but let's go further.
How to expand on this:
Descriptive File Names (Advanced): Don't just use one keyword. Think about the entire search query.
Instead of:
maternity-photos-central-park.jpgTry:
staten-island-maternity-photos-central-park-fall-sunset.jpg(more specific, captures more potential searches)
Comprehensive Alt Text: Alt text isn't just for keywords; it's for accessibility. Describe the image thoroughly, as if you were explaining it to someone visually impaired. Then, strategically sprinkle in your keywords.
Example: “Staten Island couple during fall engagement shoot at High Rock Park, featuring vibrant autumn foliage and warm evening light.” (This is much more descriptive than just "Staten Island couple during fall engagement shoot.")
Image Compression & Sizing: This is critical for site speed, a major ranking factor.
Tools: Use tools like TinyPNG, JPEGmini, or ShortPixel to compress images without significant quality loss.
Sizing: Don't upload unnecessarily large images. Resize them to the maximum display size needed on your website. For example, if your blog post image width is 800px, upload it at that size, not 4000px.
3. Google Business Profile Optimization for Photographers: Rank Locally
It’s free. It’s powerful. And if you’re not on it, you’re invisible in local search. This is often the first place potential clients look.
How to expand on this:
Complete All Fields: Don't leave anything blank! Fill out every section of your Google Business Profile (GBP), including services, business hours, and payment options.
Categorization: Choose the most accurate categories for your photography business (e.g., "Wedding Photographer," "Portrait Photographer," "Commercial Photographer"). This helps Google understand your niche.
Keyword-Rich Description: Craft a compelling description that naturally incorporates your primary keywords and showcases your unique selling proposition.
Regular Posts & Updates: Post sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes content, special offers, and session updates weekly. This keeps your profile active and signals to Google that your business is thriving.
Actively Solicit Reviews: This is huge for local SEO.
Keywords in Reviews: Encourage happy clients to leave reviews and, if natural, to mention specific keywords like “brand photographer in NYC” or “professional headshots on Staten Island” within their review.
Respond to All Reviews: Positive or negative, always respond professionally and promptly. This shows you're engaged and value your clients.
Upload High-Quality Photos to GBP: Beyond your website, upload a selection of your best work directly to your GBP. This instantly showcases your style to local searchers.
4. Blogging for Photographers: Create Location-Based Content for SEO
Blogging helps you stay visible long-term and positions you as an expert. You're already on the right track, but let's supercharge your content strategy.
How to expand on this:
Beyond "Top Spots": While "Top 3 Spots for Engagement Photos in Staten Island" is great, think about questions your ideal clients are asking.
Examples: "Ultimate Guide to Eloping in [Region/State]," "What to Pack for a Newborn Photoshoot at Home," "How to Choose Your Wedding Photographer in [City]," "Best Time of Year for Family Portraits in [City/Season]."
Answer Common Questions: Use tools like Answer the Public or even your own client inquiries to generate blog post ideas that directly address pain points or questions.
Storytelling with SEO: Each blog post on a specific session should tell a story, naturally weaving in location details, the type of photography, and relevant keywords.
Example: Instead of "The Smith Family Session," try "Golden Hour Family Photoshoot at Willow Creek Park, Staten Island | [Your Name/Studio Name]." Then, within the post, describe the location, the experience, and what makes it ideal for family photos.
Internal Linking Strategy: When you mention a service or another relevant blog post, link to it. This helps Google understand the structure of your site and distributes "link juice" (SEO value) across your pages.
Pro tip: Add your service area and name in the closing paragraph (e.g., “Remi Studio is a Staten Island-based photography studio serving NYC and beyond”), and link to relevant service pages or contact info.
Video Content: Embed short videos (e.g., behind-the-scenes, client testimonials, quick tips) into your blog posts. Google loves multimedia content, and videos increase time on page.
5. Website SEO for Photographers: Consistent Updates for Better Rankings
Don’t let your website become a ghost town. Google favors active, updated sites. This signals relevance and authority.
How to expand on this:
Content Audits: Regularly review old blog posts and portfolio pages. Can you update information, add new insights, improve keywords, or add internal links? This is a powerful way to refresh content.
Add Testimonials as Blog Content: Instead of just a testimonials page, turn client success stories into short blog posts. This allows for more text, more keywords, and fresh content.
Example Blog Post Title: "From Engaged to Ever After: Sarah & Tom's Stunning NYC Wedding Photoshoot" (then share their testimonial within the post).
Technical SEO Checks:
Mobile-Friendliness: Ensure your site is fully responsive and loads quickly on all devices. Google's "mobile-first indexing" means your mobile site is the primary version used for ranking.
Site Speed: Use Google PageSpeed Insights to identify and fix issues slowing down your site. Image optimization (as discussed) is a huge part of this.
Broken Links: Regularly check for and fix any broken links on your site. Tools like Google Search Console can help identify these.
Sitemap Submission: Make sure your XML sitemap is submitted to Google Search Console, helping Google crawl and index your pages effectively.
Backlink Building (Advanced): This is a powerful, albeit often more complex, SEO strategy. Backlinks are links from other reputable websites to yours, signaling authority to Google.
Guest Blogging: Offer to write a guest post for a related local business (e.g., a wedding planner, a local boutique, a venue).
Collaborate: Partner with other local businesses for styled shoots or joint promotions and ensure mutual linking.
Local Directories: Ensure your business is listed in relevant online directories (Yelp, professional photography associations, local chambers of commerce).
you’re about to Master SEO for Photographers: Get Found on Google Today
SEO can feel like a lot to learn, but every small step makes a difference. By consistently implementing these strategies, you'll not only improve your visibility but also attract the right clients who are actively searching for your unique style of photography.
Want someone to walk you through this? I coach creatives like you in building a Google-friendly website that actually brings in clients. [Let’s work together — SEO Coaching] or [Check out the SEO course once it launches].
