We’re Photographers, Not SEO Specialists — But Here’s What Actually Worked for Me -

We’re Photographers, Not SEO Specialists — But Here’s What Actually Worked for Me

Let’s be honest — SEO feels like another full-time job sometimes. When I first started trying to get my photography website to rank on Google, I remember literally banging my head against the wall thinking, why is this so hard? I’m a photographer, not a web developer, not an SEO specialist, and definitely not someone who wants to spend hours buried in keyword spreadsheets.

But here’s the thing: if you want consistent inquiries, especially from your dream locations, your website has to show up on Google. Social media is amazing — but it’s not reliable. Algorithms change. SEO, though? That’s how you build long-term, organic visibility.

So, here’s what actually made a difference for me — the parts that finally clicked after a year of frustration.

1. Stop Overcomplicating It

Most SEO advice online is written for tech people, not creative people. The truth? You don’t need to know coding or be an analytics expert. You just need to understand how Google “reads” your site.

Think of your website like a photo gallery — if you dump 500 unorganized photos in a folder, no one will ever find the good ones. Google works the same way. You just have to tell it what’s important.

That means:

Naming your images with real words, not “IMG_4827.”
Writing alt text that actually describes what’s in the photo.
Making sure every page has one clear topic — not five.

2. Write Like You Talk (Seriously)

When I stopped trying to “sound professional” and started writing how I actually speak, Google liked my site way more — and so did couples.

Example:

Instead of “Jackson Hole Wedding Photographer Specializing in Editorial, Documentary-Style Imagery,”

try “I photograph wild, unposed wedding days in Jackson Hole and the Tetons.”

You can still keep it elevated, but Google wants clarity. Keywords don’t have to sound robotic — they just need to sound like what your client would actually type into a search bar.

3. Internal Linking — The Secret Nobody Talks About

This one changed everything. Internal linking just means linking your own pages and blog posts together — and it helps Google understand your site faster.

For example, if you blog an elopement in Grand Teton National Park, link to your “Jackson Hole Elopement Guide” page inside that post. Then, on your guide page, link back to your favorite Jackson Hole elopement blog posts.

It’s like giving Google a roadmap through your site — and that’s how you start climbing in rankings without paying for ads.

4. Be Patient, But Consistent

It’s a slow game, but it’s the kind that keeps paying off. Once my website started ranking, I realized I could take a break from social media and still get inquiries from my ideal couples.

You don’t have to track your stats every week (I didn’t). Just keep blogging real weddings, use location-based keywords, and link your pages together. Over time, Google starts trusting your site — and that’s when you start showing up.

5. You Don’t Have to Do It Alone

If all of this still feels confusing — I get it. That’s exactly why I created my upcoming guide, “We’re Photographers, Not SEO Specialists.”

It’s everything I wish existed when I started: a step-by-step, photographer-friendly roadmap for getting your website to rank without needing a degree in SEO.

If this post helped you, you’ll love the guide — it’s packed with detailed checklists, templates, and examples from my own site.

👉 Join the waitlist here to get notified when it launches!