Alt Text Best Practices
Alt Text Best Practices for Small Business Owners and Family Photographers
Alt text best practices are important for a small business owner or a family photographer building their website and writing blog posts. Further, you’ve probably heard that “SEO matters.” But what often gets overlooked is one of the simplest ways to boost your SEO and make your website more accessible: using alt text and properly renaming your images.
Good news? It’s easier than you think. I am a Portland family photographer, and I get 99% of my inquiries and bookings by having healthy SEO.
Let’s break down why it matters, how to do it well, and how a few small tweaks can make a big difference.
What Is SEO?
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It’s the practice of improving your website so it shows up higher in search engine results (like Google) when people search for keywords related to your business. Good SEO means more visibility, visitors, and potential clients finding you online.
Alt text and properly naming your images are simple but powerful parts of a strong SEO strategy.
What Is Alt Text, Really?
Alt text, or “alternative text,” is a written description of an image. It helps screen readers describe images to visually impaired users, and it tells search engines what’s in the photo. Without alt text, both Google and users might miss out on the valuable context your images provide.
In short, Alt text helps your images and your site get found.
Example of images that are showing up on Google search due to great alt text!
Why Alt Text Best Practices Matter for Small Businesses and Photographers
For small businesses, especially service-based ones like photography, your website’s visuals carry a lot of weight. Your images aren’t just pretty—they’re selling your services. If Google can’t understand your images because there’s no alt text, you’re missing out on major organic search opportunities.
For photographers specifically, every photo on your site is a chance to show up in Google Image Search, which can drive tons of traffic and inquiries. It also makes your site more inclusive, ensuring that all users can experience and appreciate your work.
Alt Text Best Practices
When you write alt text, think about it like you’re describing the image to someone over the phone. Keep it natural, specific, and relevant.
Here are a few easy-to-remember guidelines:
- Be descriptive but concise: A short sentence is usually enough.
- Include keywords naturally: If it makes sense, incorporate SEO keywords without stuffing.
- Avoid saying “image of” or “photo of”: Screen readers already know it’s an image. (but I do this sometimes still 🙃)
- Focus on the important parts: Highlight the subject and the feeling or setting if it’s important.
- Use plain language: Keep it simple and clear.
Alt Text Examples
Instead of writing something vague like:
“family photo”
Try something more specific and helpful:
“Mother and toddler son laughing together during a golden hour family photography session at Portland’s Forest Park.”
Another example:
“Flat lay of newborn baby clothes and wooden toys styled for a branding photography session for a Portland boutique.”
Notice how these examples are specific, emotional, and naturally weave in keywords without feeling spammy.
Renaming Image Files: The Unsung Hero of SEO
Before you even upload an image to your website or blog post, take a second to rename it. “IMG_2487.jpg” doesn’t tell Google anything, but “what-to-wear-for-newborn-photos.jpg” paints a clear picture if you were writing a blog about “What to Wear For Newborn Photos.”
Tips for Renaming Images:
- Use dashes (-) between words, not underscores (_).
- Keep it short but descriptive.
- Include relevant keywords if they make sense.
Example Before and After:
- BEFORE: IMG_1287.jpg
- AFTER: branding-photography-flat-lay-boutique-products.jpg
How to Match Image Names to Your Blog Topic
If you are writing a blog about a specific topic related to your business, renaming your images to match that topic strengthens the SEO of the post. Here are two examples:
Blog Post: “What to Wear for a Newborn Session”
- Instead of uploading a file called “DSC0345.jpg,” rename it to something like:
what-to-wear-for-newborn-session.jpg
- And use alt text like:
“Neutral-toned newborn session outfit ideas for parents, featuring cream and beige clothing options.”
Blog Post: “What to Expect When Working With a Realtor”
- Instead of uploading a file called “IMG_4567.jpg,” rename it to:
what-to-expect-when-working-with-a-realtor.jpg
- And use alt text like:
“Realtor showing a young couple a home during a client meeting.”
When your image file name and alt text align with the topic of your blog, it tells search engines that your content is cohesive and relevant, which can improve your ranking and help the right clients find you.
Related: Subscribe to my YouTube channel for tips + more!
Where to Add Alt Text
Once you upload your images, you need to know where to put your alt text! Here are a few examples for a Showit and WordPress user:
In Showit:
- After uploading an image to your media library or page, click on the image.
- In the right sidebar under “Image Settings,” you’ll find a field labeled “SEO Title/Alt Text.”
- Write your alt text there.
In WordPress:
- Upload your image to the Media Library.
- Click on the image to open the details.
- You’ll see a field on the right labeled “Alt Text (Alternative Text).”
- Enter your description in that box before inserting the image into your post.
Adding your alt text at upload helps ensure you never forget it—and it’s one of the easiest wins for SEO! If you aren’t sure where to find the alt text area on your site, I recommend reaching out to support. Most website platforms have excellent support and can guide you quickly in the right direction.
Example of alt text in one of my blogs in WordPress about “Things to do in Palm Springs for Families.”
Quick Checklist Before You Upload
- Rename your image file descriptively (use dashes between words)
- Make sure your file name relates to your blog topic
- Upload the image to your blog or website
- Write clear, concise, and natural alt text
- Naturally include keywords if possible
- Double-check spelling and grammar in your alt text
- Ensure the alt text accurately describes the main subject of the image
How ChatGPT Can Help with Alt Text
Feeling stuck on what to write for your alt text? You can use ChatGPT to help! Simply describe your image in a few words and ask for a beginner-friendly alt text description.
For example, you could type:
“Can you write an alt text for a photo of a mom and baby snuggled up on a couch during an in-home newborn session?”
ChatGPT will generate a clear and natural alt text you can use or tweak slightly to better match your brand voice. This saves time and helps you stay consistent across your website and blog posts.
You can even upload a batch of image descriptions and ask for multiple alt text examples at once if you’re updating a whole gallery or blog!
Wrapping It Up
Adding good alt text and renaming your image files isn’t about perfection. It’s about creating small, meaningful habits that improve your SEO and make your site more inclusive and user-friendly.
Whether you’re a family photographer showcasing heartfelt sessions or a small business owner sharing your passion, these little behind-the-scenes actions can have a big impact on how people find and connect with you.
Start with your next blog post or gallery update. It’s a small step, but it’s a smart one.
Ready to Take Your Blogging and Business to the Next Level?
If you’re ready to dive deeper into simple, strategic blogging that brings in clients, check out my Blog to Booked Blueprint course! I walk you through exactly how to create SEO-friendly blog posts that showcase your work, connect with your dream clients, and turn your website into a booking machine.
And if you’re looking for more one-on-one support, I also offer mentorship for photographers who want to grow profitable, sustainable businesses without burnout. Whether you’re stuck on marketing, mindset, or pricing, I’m here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
✨ [Learn more about the Blog to Booked Blueprint and Mentorship Opportunities here!] ✨
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