SEO Tips for Photographers: 5 Website Mistakes To Avoid

You Don’t Need More Hustle, You Need Google Working For You

If you’re a family photographer juggling motherhood, a million tabs open in your brain, and a website you swear you’ll “finally fix this weekend”… I see you.

And here’s the good news: SEO does not have to feel like a techy nightmare that requires a secret degree in wizardry. In this blog, I will cover simple SEO tips for photographers.

Most photogs aren’t struggling because their work isn’t beautiful — they’re struggling because Google has no idea what their website is about. If nobody can find you, they can’t book you. And if you’re tired of spending every spare nap-time moment posting on Instagram for two likes and one “OMG you’re so expensive” message… yeah, same.

Let’s fix the real problem.

Here are 5 common SEO mistakes photographers make (especially moms trying to build their business in the cracks of their day), and what you can do instead.

1. The #1 SEO Tip for Photographers: Use Only One H1 (It Matters More Than You Think)

Think of your homepage like your front porch. If it says nothing except, “Hi, welcome :)” then Google is like… okay? But what do you do?

So many photographers have homepages that say things like “capturing joy” or “moments you’ll treasure” — which is cute, but useless to search engines.

Instead, your homepage should clearly state:

• What you are (family photographer, newborn photographer, etc.)

• Where you are (your city)

• Who you serve (moms, families, seniors, babies… pick!)

And you should say those things in your headers, not buried in small text.

Your H1 is your main title — the headline Google considers the most important on the entire page.

That means:

You should only have ONE H1 per page.
Not two. Not seven. Not “one for each cute section.”

Your H1 needs to clearly communicate:

• What you do

• Who it’s for

• Where you do it (X City)

TL;DR: Your homepage needs to stop being mysterious, tell Google exactly who you are and where you work.

2. You’re Using Headers Like They’re Pretty Fonts Instead of SEO Tools

Listen… I know your website platform makes those cute swirly fonts SO tempting. But your headers aren’t just decoration, they’re Google signals.

If your headers say things like:

• “love & connection”

• “pure magic”

…that’s a missed opportunity.

Instead, your headers should look more like:

• FAQ’s

• About

• The Process

• Testimonials

You can still get a little poetic in the body text. But your headers? They need to do their job.

TL;DR: Pretty headers don’t pay the bills — keyword-rich headers do.

3. SEO Tips for Photographers: Fix Your Image Titles + Alt Text for Better Ranking

Your images are gorgeous, but if you’re uploading them with names like DSC_9837.JPG, Google just shrugs.

Every image you upload needs:

• A keyword-rich image title

• A clear alt text description

• A smaller file size (for page speed)

Alt text is not the place for keywords stuffed into a sentence that makes no sense.

Good alt text = “mom holding toddler during sunset family session in Park City, Utah.”

This helps Google understand your work and improves accessibility, which Google loves.

TL;DR: Rename your photos before uploading, Google can’t read “DSC_4578.”

4. Your Blog Posts Aren’t Actually Helping You Rank

I love you, but your blogs titled “The Smith Family Session” aren’t helping anyone.  People aren’t Googling “Smith family photos on Saturday.” They’re Googling:

• What to wear for family photos

• Best locations for family photos in Colorado Springs

Your blogs should answer real questions moms are typing into Google.

Think:

• 5 Best Photo Locations in “X City”

• What to Wear for Family Photos (Mom-Friendly Guide)

• Preparing Your Toddler for Photos

And yes, you can weave your client sessions into those, just don’t lead with that.

TL;DR: Blog like a resource, not a diary.

5. SEO Tips for Photographers: Why Your Homepage Is Trying to Be Everything to Everyone

I know it’s scary to niche down.  When you’re a mom building a business, it feels like saying “I specialize in family photography” means you’ll lose money.  But the opposite is true.

Google ranks you faster when you’re clear and consistent. When your site talks about newborns, branding shoots, seniors, weddings, maternity, products, travel, pets, and food photography all on one or two pages… Google is like: “Ma’am… what?”

Pick your main niche (for most of you: family + newborn) and make sure your website reflects that. You can offer more behind the scenes, but your main messaging should be easy for Google to categorize.

TL;DR: Pick one main niche — clarity = conversions.

Bonus Tip: Stop Relying on Instagram to Save You

I’m saying this with love: Instagram is not a marketing plan.  It’s a slot machine.  Sometimes you win. Sometimes you get ghosted.  It is not a sustainable way to book clients.  SEO, on the other hand?

It works while:

• you’re picking up your kids from school

• you’re on the couch at 9pm binging HGTV

• your family is asking what’s for dinner again

Your website can become your hardest-working employee, the one who never takes a sick day, never complains, and brings in dream clients 24/7.  However, you have to set it up right.

TL;DR: Instagram is loud and needy. SEO is quiet but loyal.

So… What Happens Next?

If reading this made you think, “Okay… I might be doing most of these,” you’re not alone.

Every photographer starts here.

Every overwhelmed mom business owner hits this wall at some point.  And this is exactly why I teach SEO in a way that actually makes sense. No jargon. No overwhelm. Just what works.

Learn more about me here, and how I started my journey.

➡️ Follow me on Instagram and send me a DM that says “SEO” and I’ll point you to my best resources.

You don’t need to hustle harder — you just need to work smarter. And Google can absolutely be your new bestie.