Let’s get your name popping up in all the right places! SEO (aka Search Engine Optimisation, but let’s keep it casual here) is your secret weapon for making sure couples find you when they’re searching for their dream wedding photographer—not just scrolling past to the competition.
SEO is one of the most effective tools wedding photographers can use to grow their business online! And the best part is, it’s totally free. No paid ads here, just a really optimised website that gets you showing up on Google for the right search terms.
Your own website is so much more than just your online gallery (but that’s important too). With the right SEO strategy specifically for wedding photographers you’ll be able to attract more potential couples to your business and essentially get more bookings. The only downside is, SEO can become quite complex, it takes a little bit of effort to get it working for you, and it can seem so overwhelming when you start digging into it. But that’s why you’ve got us to help guide you!
The goal? Get your website showing up higher on Google (and other search engines), so newly engaged couples can find you and discover your incredible work. Simple, right?
First off, let’s dig into what SEO is and why SEO for wedding photographers is so important. Think of SEO as your online visibility booster. It’s all about making tweaks to your website, content (the bits of text on your website), and your online presence so that search engines (like Google) can easily read your text to understand what you do and show your site to the right people at the right time. More visibility = more inquiries = more booked weddings.
Here’s how to make SEO work for your wedding photography business—without the headache.
Keywords are the words couples type into Google when they’re searching for their dream wedding photographer—think “romantic wedding photographer in London” or “natural candid wedding photography.” Using the right keywords on your website helps search engines understand what you do and, most importantly, ensures your website shows up on the results page to get you in front of the right couples at the right time.
So, how do you make keywords work for you? Simple—use them naturally across your website, from your homepage to your service pages, blog posts, and even image alt text (we’ll get onto this later). Google ranks websites based (partly) on whether they include the same words and phrases people are searching for. So, when potential couples type in “wedding photographer near me,” you want to make sure Google knows that you’re a wedding photographer and you’re located near the person typing in the search bar.
A great place to start is by coming up with a list of five to ten SEO-friendly keywords that you’ll focus on. You’ll want a good mix of:
Sprinkle these keywords naturally throughout your website on any page that has text (pro-tip: all of your pages should have some form of text). Just make sure they fit seamlessly into your content—keyword stuffing (a spammy SEO tactic that involves unnaturally forcing keywords into your web pages) is a big red flag for Google and can actually hurt your rankings (where you appear in the search engine results pages).
A well-optimised website means more visibility, more inquiries, and ultimately, more bookings.
Now that you know what keywords are, the next step is figuring out which ones to use as part of your SEO for wedding photographers strategy. The right keywords will help you attract your ideal couples—whether they’re searching for “adventurous elopement photographer” or “relaxed wedding photography in Bristol.”
As a wedding photographer, you already have a head start. Think about how you’d describe your own business—your photography style, the types of weddings you shoot, and the locations you cover. These are the core keywords you’ll want to use across your website. If you specialise in candid, documentary-style wedding photography in Manchester, that phrase alone is a great place to start!
Beyond your own brain (which we all know is a very useful tool), here are a few other tools to help refine your wedding photography specific keyword list:
Google offers a free tool that shows you search volumes (how many people typing certain keywords and phrases into Google) and related keywords people are actually looking for. To access the Google Keyword Planner you’ll need to create a Google Ad Account (don’t worry, you don’t need to create any ads to access the tool). Once you’ve created your account, head to Google Keyword Planner.
There are two ways to use the Google Keyword planner:
There are plenty of SEO tools out there, but SEMrush is one of the best and our personal favourite (#notsponsored, we just genuinely think it’s a great tool). It’s like having an SEO expert in your pocket, giving you a full breakdown of how your website is performing, what your competitors are doing, and where you can improve your wedding photography SEO strategy.
You can use SEMrush to:
Pro tip: you can sign up for a free trial and export all the data you need before the trial ends. This will give you enough information to optimise your website without spending a penny!
If you’re stuck for ideas, AI can act as your personal SEO brainstorming buddy! Brainstorming the right keywords can feel like staring at a blank page, but that’s where ChatGPT and other AI tools like ChatGPT can come in super handy. You can use them to help generate keyword ideas based on your niche, location, and target audience.
While AI is great for inspiration, we’d definitely recommend double-checking the keywords using SEO tools like Google Keyword Planner or SEMrush just to make sure they have decent search volume and aren’t overly competitive. But if you’re feeling stuck, AI is a quick and easy way to get the creative juices flowing and provide a great starting place.
If you already have a website, Google Search Console and Google Analytics are free tools that offer amazing information and data about how your website and how couples are finding you online. Instead of guessing what keywords to target, you can use your real customer data to refine your wedding photography SEO strategy.
Here’s how to use your analytics to your advantage:
Once you’ve got a solid list of keywords, start using them naturally across your website—especially in key places like your homepage, service or photography packages pages, blog posts, and image descriptions.
On-page SEO essentially means all of the information that’s on your own website. SEO can be broken down into ‘on-page’ and ‘off-page,’ and while we’ll jump into off-page SEO later on in this blog, on-page SEO should be one of your main focuses. By optimising the on-page SEO for individual pages on your photography website, you’ll improve their visibility on search engines and make them more user-friendly (which also helps with Google’s ranking system).
In other words, it’s about fine-tuning the content (the text, images, videos, etc. on your website) and structure (the way we layout your content) so your site gets found by the right people—your future clients! By making small tweaks to your content, you’ll boost your chances of ranking higher on Google pages for your target keywords which means more couples coming direct to your website and more bookings!
Start with high-quality content that speaks directly to your potential couples wants and needs. An easy way to think of it is: your website isn’t just a portfolio; it’s your digital storefront. You need to make it clear, engaging, and packed with helpful information couples planning their weddings are looking for. And don’t forget to sprinkle in those all-important keywords that we discovered earlier throughout your content – once you start writing with your keywords in mind you won’t even have to think about it, it’ll just come naturally.
Where to include your photography keywords on your website:
When it comes to your primary keywords (the main keywords you’ll be focusing on) there are a few places you should try to include them for the best results:
By optimising these key areas, you’ll not only improve your search engine rankings but also make your website easier for couples to navigate and engage with – win, win!
Pro tip: Check your pages for missing elements like meta descriptions or alt text—it’s often the small details that make a big difference.
Your website isn’t just a portfolio—it’s your digital shopfront, and if it’s slow, clunky, or confusing to navigate, couples won’t stick around long enough to book you. Harsh? Maybe. But true? Absolutely.
Google and couples love websites that are fast, easy to use, and mobile-friendly. If your website is frustrating to use, people will click off faster than a bride running late for the ceremony. So, check your website on your phone and your desktop to make sure it’s working as it should, it’s easy to use, and it’s fast. Here are a few things to think about:
Don’t make couples hunt for the info they need. Your portfolio, pricing, testimonials, booking info and contact page should be super easy to find. Ditch the complicated menu names and keep it clear and obvious—no one should be guessing where to click on your website.
Google prioritises websites that are easy to use, and couples appreciate clarity too. 93% of couples are more likely to book with you if they can check your availability and see your pricing upfront*. If they land on your site and can’t quickly figure out if you’re within their budget or free for their date, they’ll move on to someone else.
Here’s how to fix that:
Your contact page should be clear, concise, and easy to use. If your photography business relies on enquiries, you need to make sure your enquiry form is short and sweet—name, wedding date, location, and email. That’s all you need to start the conversation.
Give couples options—not everyone wants to fill in a form, so include your email or phone number for direct contact. Or, even better, just give couples the info they need on your website so they don’t have to reach out and they can just book instantly through your website instead.
Feature client testimonials throughout your site—especially near your pricing and booking info. Google reviews build instant trust. The more proof you have that other couples love working with you, the easier it is for new clients to say, “Yep, they’re the one.”
A fast, user-friendly website doesn’t just keep Google happy—it also helps your potential wedding clients stay on your site, build trust with you, fall in love with your work, and book you without hesitation.
The more content you have on your website, the more chances you have to naturally include your keywords. And here’s the thing—Google LOVES content (and so do couples researching wedding photography). Especially websites that add fresh, valuable, and unique content regularly. That’s where your wedding photography blog comes in. It’s your chance to showcase your expertise, build trust, and attract couples searching for a photographer just like you.
A blog also lets you provide value to potential clients while targeting keywords with informational intent—those search terms people type into Google when they’re looking to learn more. Think about topics like:
These posts don’t just answer common questions (that your potential future couples are actively Googling); they also make you seem like the go-to expert they can trust.
Just think: every couple typing ANY wedding photography term into Google is a potential client of yours. You need to get in front of them and show them why you’re the one they should go with.
Other than just giving you a place to sprinkle your keywords, a wedding photography blog can benefit your business in so many other ways…
For inspiration, check out this blog post by one of our photographers, Jane Ball Photography, where she shares tips for bridal preparations and how to get the best photos. It’s a brilliant example of providing value, showcasing expertise, and building trust all in one go.
We know—hitting publish on your first blog can feel a little daunting (we’ve been there), but trust us, it’s worth it. You’re already an expert in your field, so take the knowledge that’s already sitting in your brain and turn it into a blog. It will help couples find you, build trust with potential couples, and show off just how amazing you are at what you do. Honestly, we think it’s a no-brainer.
Here’s one of our pro tips: we like to keep a running list of blog ideas in a document. Whenever inspiration strikes (even at 1 a.m. after a few too many wines), jot it down. That way, you’ll always have a bank of topics ready to go. Once you start writing, you’ll find your rhythm—and before you know it, your keyboard will practically be typing away on its own.
Blogging isn’t just about SEO (though that’s a huge win)—it’s about connecting with couples, showcasing your passion, and growing your business. So, go on, get started. The couples searching for you will thank you (and you’ll thank yourself when you see those bookings come rolling in).
As a photographer, your website is likely bursting with stunning examples of your work—and rightly so, we’d expect nothing less. But did you know that you can actually use your wedding photos for SEO and get them to show up on Google Images? Couples searching for wedding inspiration often head straight to Google Images, so if your photos appear there, you’re only a few clicks away from getting booked.
Follow these simple steps and you’ll not only improve your website’s SEO but also increase your chances of getting your amazing wedding photography in front of more couples searching for wedding photography inspiration. It’s a win-win: beautiful images and better search rankings.
Want to attract local brides and grooms? Of course you do! Claiming your Google Business Profile is one of the easiest ways to increase your visibility in local search results (when people are typing in things like “Wedding photographer near me”, or “Wedding photography in Brighton”. Plus, you can use it to showcase your services and build credibility and trust through customer reviews.
If you don’t have a profile yet, no worries—it’s super easy! Follow this guide by Google to get started. Once you’re set up, there are a few best practices you can follow to boost your visibility and rep:
Write a concise, keyword-friendly description that highlights your wedding photography services, style, and location. For example: “Natural and candid wedding photography in Birmingham, specialising in relaxed, storytelling-style images for couples.”
Reviews on your Google Business Profile act as social proof, helping build trust with new clients and shows search engines that your business is active and reputable. When couples are searching for wedding photographers and they are torn between two, who do you think they’re more likely to go for: the one that only has a website with testimonials that could have come from anywhere, or the one that has a website and a Google Business Listing with genuine reviews? After a wedding, don’t be shy—ask your happy couples to leave a review, or better yet, use our automated email workflows to send an automated email asking for a review.
Always engage with reviews, whether they’re glowing or not-so-great. Thank clients for positive feedback, and address concerns professionally when necessary. This shows potential clients that you care and are committed to excellent service.
Showcase your best wedding photography on your Google Business Profile. Couples are looking for wedding photography so it’s essential they can easily see examples of your work.
Remember when we mentioned off-page SEO earlier? This is it! Off-page SEO are tactics used outside of your own website to improve your website’s credibility, such as your Google Business Profile. However, one of the best tactics for off-page SEO for photographers is through backlinks.
Backlinks are links to your website from other websites, and they’re a huge factor in boosting your reputation with Google. Think of it as a vote of confidence: if trusted websites in your industry are linking to you, Google assumes you’re a trustworthy source of information too. Google awards your efforts, and when Google trusts you, your chances of ranking well in search results go up!
But, how do you actually get other websites to link to your website? It’s called link building— this is the process of actively acquiring high-quality backlinks—and it doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s how you can make it happen:
One way to do this is to add links from your website to relevant connections in the same industry. Think about the wedding pros you’ve worked with—caterers, florists, bands, wedding planners, or even venues. If you’ve got photos from a wedding that feature their work, add links to their websites alongside the images or within your content. Then, reach out and let them know you’ve given them a shoutout on your site.
Chances are, they’ll appreciate the gesture and may even return the favour by linking back to you. Plus, this kind of collaboration strengthens your industry connections and opens the door to more opportunities down the line.
Another great opportunity to gain backlinks is offering your images to suppliers you’ve worked with. For example, if you’ve captured stunning shots of the venue or the florist’s arrangements, let them use the photos on their own websites—just ask them to include a link to your site as credit. It’s a super simple way to build backlinks while showcasing your work to a wider audience.
You’re an expert in wedding photography and you can use that to help you get backlinks through guest blogs. Reach out to relevant brands or industry blogs and offer your services. Share your expertise, include a link to your website, and gain exposure to new audiences. Easy, right?
That said, don’t let guest blogging take over your life—your own blog and on-page SEO are more important. Use guest blogging as a supplement, not your main focus.
With only a little effort and a lot of collaboration, you can build a strong backlink profile and show Google that you’re a trusted source of information (and a wedding photography pro).
SEO might seem like a daunting task at first, but when broken down into actionable steps, it becomes one of the most valuable tools for your business. By simply choosing the right keywords, optimising your website, leveraging backlinks, and keeping your content fresh, you’ll create a super strong SEO strategy that helps couples find you instead of your competitors.
The best part? SEO is completely free—no ads, no big marketing budget, just smart tweaks that bring real, long-term results. And we can’t lie, it does take time and consistency, but every step you take to improve your SEO is an investment in your photography business that will continue to pay off time and time again.
So, where should you start?
Put these strategies into action, and you’ll see the difference—more traffic, more enquiries, and more booked weddings. Your dream clients are out there searching for you, so let’s make sure they find you.
