Updated June 2026 · Creative Services
How to set up a website for a photographer
Short answer
To set up a website for a photographer, use Squarespace (best-in-class image galleries and proofing built in) — or Pixieset or Format for portfolio-first if you need more control. Build 6 core pages: Home, Portfolio (by category), Pricing, About, Contact, Booking. Lead with the hero pattern ‘[City] wedding & portrait photography’, prove credibility with 20–30 best shots only, and pair the site with a Google Business Profile focused on City + style in H1 (e.g. ‘Brooklyn wedding photographer’). Budget $800–$2,000 — portfolio sites are template-friendly for a flat-rate build that ranks for [city] [genre] photographer.
Key facts
- Primary platform: Squarespace — best-in-class image galleries and proofing built in
- Core pages to launch: Home, Portfolio (by category), Pricing, About, Contact, Booking
- Trust signals that matter most: 20–30 best shots only, recent client testimonials with first names, pricing transparency
- Local SEO angle: City + style in H1 (e.g. ‘Brooklyn wedding photographer’)
- Realistic build budget: $800–$2,000 — portfolio sites are template-friendly
- Primary keyword to target: [city] [genre] photographer
Step-by-step
- 1
Pick the right platform
Use Squarespace — best-in-class image galleries and proofing built in. Only choose Pixieset or Format for portfolio-first if you’ve outgrown the primary or need custom design.
- 2
Buy a clean domain
Yourname.com or yourbusiness.com. Avoid hyphens and your-city-photographer.com — they hurt trust and rarely help SEO once you’re ranking.
- 3
Write the core pages
Ship these in order: Home, Portfolio (by category), Pricing, About, Contact, Booking. Don’t add Blog/Resources until the core pages convert.
- 4
Lead with a city + service hero
Your H1 should say what you do and where, e.g. ‘[City] wedding & portrait photography’. Add a tappable phone number and a primary CTA above the fold.
- 5
Stack credibility
Add: 20–30 best shots only, recent client testimonials with first names, pricing transparency. Real photos beat stock 100% of the time.
- 6
Wire up Google Business Profile
Claim and verify at business.google.com. Focus the profile on City + style in H1 (e.g. ‘Brooklyn wedding photographer’). Post photos weekly for the first 30 days — this alone outranks most paid SEO efforts in year one.
- 7
Add the right schema + analytics
Add LocalBusiness JSON-LD, install Google Analytics 4, and submit the sitemap in Google Search Console. Target [city] [genre] photographer in your homepage title.
- 8
Get the first 10 reviews
Text or email your last 20 customers a direct Google review link. 10+ recent reviews unlocks Map Pack visibility for most creative services businesses.
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How much should a photographer spend on a website?
Realistic range: $800–$2,000 — portfolio sites are template-friendly. DIY on Squarespace works if your time is cheaper than $50/hour; otherwise a flat-rate build pays back in the first 2–3 booked jobs.
Which platform is best for a photographer?
Squarespace for most owners — best-in-class image galleries and proofing built in. Switch to Pixieset or Format for portfolio-first only if you need design or feature depth the primary can’t cover.
How long until a photographer site shows up on Google?
Branded searches (your business name) within 1–2 weeks. ‘[city] [genre] photographer’ takes 60–120 days with a verified Google Business Profile, 10+ reviews, and on-page basics done right.
Do I need a blog?
No — not until the core pages convert. Most creative services businesses get further with a verified Google Business Profile, real photos, and 10 reviews than with 20 blog posts.
What’s the single biggest mistake?
Hiding the phone number or burying the CTA. A photographer site lives or dies by how fast a mobile visitor can call, book, or quote.