We’re Photographers, Not SEO Specialists — A No-Fluff SEO Breakdown for Elopement Photographers -

We’re Photographers, Not SEO Specialists — A No-Fluff SEO Breakdown for Elopement Photographers

When I first started trying to get my photography website to rank on Google, I was completely overwhelmed. Everyone online was yelling about backlinks, keywords, and algorithms — and I remember thinking, I just want people to find my Jackson Hole elopement photos, not build a tech empire.

If that’s you too — welcome. You don’t need to become an SEO expert to start showing up. You just need to understand what actually matters for photographers like us, the ones who spend more time chasing light in the Tetons than staring at a computer screen.

So, here’s what finally clicked for me after way too many nights of frustration (and banging my head off the wall over Google Search Console).

1. Make Google Understand

Where

You Are

You’d be shocked how many photographers forget this part. Google can’t assume you shoot in Jackson Hole just because your Instagram is full of the Tetons. You have to tell it — clearly and repeatedly.

That means:

Adding “Jackson Hole elopement photographer” (or wherever you shoot) naturally throughout your site.
Naming blog posts clearly, like “A Fall Elopement at Schwabacher Landing in Grand Teton National Park.”
Updating your Google Business Profile with your service area, real photos, and a link to your website.

Those small things signal to Google: hey, this is a real business based in Jackson Hole that people can hire.

2. Blog Your Elopements — and Be Descriptive

If you’re not blogging your elopements yet, start. Every elopement blog post is a new chance to rank for a keyword or location.

Here’s how to make it work:

Use location keywords naturally in your blog title, headers, and throughout your writing.
- Example: “Sunset Elopement at Mormon Row, Jackson Hole”
Write like you’re talking to a couple who’s Googling “how to elope in Grand Teton.”
Mention specific details — like the ceremony spot, what the weather was like, or what time of year it was.

The more specific you are, the more likely you’ll show up when someone searches for something like “summer elopement in Grand Teton National Park.”

3. Internal Linking — The Secret Nobody Talks About

This was a game changer for me. Internal linking just means connecting your own pages together.

Example:

If you blog an elopement at Schwabacher Landing, link to your “Jackson Hole Elopement Guide.”
Then on your guide, link back to that blog post.

It’s simple, but Google loves it. It helps your site make sense — and it shows that you’re an expert in that specific area.

4. Backlinks — Realistic Ways to Get Them

When I first heard about backlinks, I thought I’d have to get featured in Vogue to have a chance. Nope.

Here’s what actually worked for me early on:

Getting listed on wedding vendor directories like Rocky Mountain Bride and Carats & Cake
Creating a Google Business Profile (that alone counts as a backlink!)
Submitting a few galleries to blogs like Montana Bride and Style Me Pretty

Those small wins add up. And once your work starts circulating, you’ll naturally get more organic backlinks over time.

5. Keep It Real, Not Robotic

I used to think I had to stuff my site full of keywords — until I realized Google actually rewards clarity and personality.

So instead of:

“Jackson Hole wedding and elopement photographer capturing timeless, editorial-inspired imagery.”

Say something like:

“I photograph wild, unposed elopements in Jackson Hole — the kind of days where you kick off your boots and dance in the sagebrush.”

That’s not just better for SEO. It’s better for connection.

6. Be Patient, But Keep Going

SEO takes time. I didn’t track mine obsessively — I just blogged consistently, linked my pages together, and used real words people actually search for.

A few months later, I started showing up for things like “Jackson Hole elopement photographer” and “Grand Teton elopement.”

That’s when the inquiries started rolling in — and they were my ideal couples.

You Don’t Have to Figure It Out 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 was trying to figure out SEO as an elopement photographer — step-by-step, written in plain English, with real examples from my own Jackson Hole site.

If this post helped you, you’ll love the guide.

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