Starting a photography website? Congrats! Getting your business online is an exciting—and sometimes challenging—process. The way your site is set up can make or break your online presence, so it’s important to figure out what makes a great website. As a writer who helps photographers craft quality content for their web pages, I’m here to provide a few suggestions on how to put together a photography website that answers your clients questions and makes them more likely to book through you.
Home Page
Think of it kind of like a storefront. You want your home page to be welcoming and give people an exciting glimpse of what they can find in the rest of your site. Your home page should include tabs to the other main sections of your website (don’t worry, we’ll outline each of those below) so visitors can easily navigate and find what they’re looking for. The home page can also be a great spot for a couple of pictures showcasing your style, maybe a rave review or two, and a brief description of your services.
About
You may think the About page is all about you. Actually, it’s all about your clients and what you can do for them. No, that doesn’t mean this page should read like a sales pitch. But it should give people an idea of what sets you apart from others in the business and what they can count on you for. Of course, part of that is your own unique personality, so don’t be afraid to showcase that too. You can absolutely include some details about your personal journey as a photographer or give a list of your favorite things. Just don’t let those fun facts become the main focus.
And yes, you should absolutely have a current, professional headshot of yourself on this page! (You’re a photographer, I can’t believe you even asked me that.)
Session Types and Pricing
Most photographers offer a variety of session types, such as maternity, newborn, and cake smash. It’s a good idea to have a page that outlines the packages you offer so clients know what to expect. This is also where you’ll want to give your pricing for each type of session. Be clear about whether your prices are for the session only or if they include prints and products. This makes it more likely that those who get in touch with you are serious about booking, and minimizes frustration or misunderstanding later.
Galleries
Your photography website is the perfect place to show off your work, so make sure to include galleries of each of your session types. These should include a nice variety so clients can get a feel for your style. Don’t overdo it though. Remember, while clients want to see your work, they also want the page to load! Too many images can slow a page down, so experiment with the sizing and number of your images and only display a “teaser” selection of your best.
Contact
Make it easy for potential clients to get in touch with you by setting up a contact page for your site. It’s common practice to have some kind of contact form on this page so clients can immediately fill out their information and let you know which services they’re interested in. This is also where you can include your business email, phone number, and address, if you have them.
Blog
Including a blog on your photography website can have some great advantages. It’s the perfect place to connect with clients by showing off recent sessions or giving a behind-the-scenes peek into your work. You can also use your blog as a place to offer tips and advice. Blogging adds value for your clients and shows that you’re passionate and knowledgeable about your craft. Another bonus of blogging? It’s great for SEO!
As you consider starting a photography blog though, it’s important to be realistic and have a plan in place. How many times do you want to post? Do you have the time and inclination to update your blog at least once a month? Do you want to just blog sessions, or do you want to offer information and tips as well? Does the idea of writing excite you or make you break out in a cold sweat? If you like the idea of a blog and feel it would be helpful, you also have the option of outsourcing your blog so you have all the advantages of SEO and client connection without having to worry about it yourself.
Reviews
While this isn’t essential (especially if you’re just starting out and don’t have any client reviews yet), a reviews page is a nice add-on to your photography website. Positive reviews can show people that you have an established history of impressing clients, creating a great experience, and delivering quality products.
Social Media Links
If you’re on social media, be sure to include links to your accounts from your website so visitors can follow you or check out your latest posts.
How to Name Your Website Pages
While it’s fun to get creative, the main goal of naming your pages is to help visitors navigate to them easily so they can get their questions answered. So, as tempting as it is to call your About page “A brief history of Thyme Studio,” it’s best to keep things simple and straightforward.
- About ~ Like I said, keep it simple! About or About Me is perfect.
- Session Types and Pricing ~ Investment, Packages, and Pricing are all common names for this page and make it easy for clients to find out what you charge.
- Galleries ~ You can call this tab Galleries or Portfolio. If you do different types of sessions, divide your portfolio up and provide a dropdown menu from the main tab so people can look at your milestone, family, or wedding galleries separately.
- Contact ~ Call this page Contact, Get in Touch, or Let’s Chat, depending on the vibe you’re going for.
- Blog ~ While Blog is the most straightforward name for this page, other options like Journal or Stories are typical too.
- Reviews ~ Reviews, Raves, and Kind Words are all good choices for this page. Again, it’s a matter of what fits your business style and personality best.
- Social Media Links ~ This usually isn’t a separate page on your website, so don’t worry about figuring out a name for it. Just include your social media icons—definitely on your Home and Contact pages, but ideally on every page of your site.
Now that you have a quick outline of what to include on your photography website, it’s time to get to work! I’d love to see your finished product (or work in progress!) so be sure to drop me a link to your site in the comments!
