Unique SEO tips for photographers are hard to come by when every blog says the same thing—rename your file, add alt text, and pray to the Google gods. Cute. But if you actually want to rank and book dream clients? You need to look beyond the basics.
In this post, I’m breaking down the unconventional SEO moves photographers tend to overlook—strategies that get you found, trusted, and booked without sounding like everyone else in your city.
Let’s stop optimizing like it’s 2015 and start showing up like the professional photographer you are!
Before we get into it, if you're a photographer READY to get done-for-you SEO. . .look no further! Schedule a discovery call here and let's chat about what SOE can do for your photography business!
1. Use Local Slang in Your Keywords (Not Just “City + Photographer”)
Sure, every photographer and their lens cap is targeting “Boston wedding photographer.” But guess what? So is everyone else. Want to actually stand out in search? Start thinking like a local. Use the words your clients are actually saying when they describe their dream shoot.
Think:
📍 “Fenway proposal photographer”
📍 “Southie engagement session”
📍 “Cape Cod elopement at sunrise”
These hyper-local phrases reflect real search behavior—and they’re way less competitive than the generic stuff. Listen to how your clients talk about their neighborhoods, venues, and spots they love, then mirror that language in your content.
Use these local terms in your blog subheads, meta descriptions, photo captions, and even alt text. It’s subtle, powerful SEO that connects you with clients who are already looking for exactly what you offer—right where you offer it.
IMPORTANT: NOW—I’m not saying you shouldn’t target keywords like “Boston wedding photographer.” You absolutely should. But if you want to rise above the noise and actually own your niche? These local, real-world phrases are where the magic happens.
2. Name Drop Vendors + Venues in Your Blog Posts
If you’re not name-dropping venues and vendors in your blog posts, you’re sleeping on some serious long-tail SEO magic. A title like “Winter Wedding at Willowdale Estate” or “Shot with Bloom & Vine Florals in Cambridge” doesn’t just sound good—it’s packed with searchable gold that real couples are typing into Google right now.
Couples don’t always start by searching for a photographer—they start with the venue. And if your post pops up when they search for “Boston Public Library wedding photographer”? You're in.
Bonus: tagging and linking vendors builds relationships, boosts your chances of getting shared, and might even land you a backlink from their site (hello, authority-building SEO!).
So yes—brag a little. Mention the venue. Shout out the planner, the florist, the DJ. Not only does it serve your SEO, but it positions you as a connected pro who's in demand and easy to work with.
3. Write the Blog for the Client, Not the Algorithm
Let’s be honest—most photography blogs fall into one of two camps:
📉 SEO robot mode (hello, “golden hour session | Boston family photographer | natural light”)
📓 Or a personal diary entry that only your grandma and the couple care about.
Neither is going to rank or convert.
Here’s the shift: write with search intent and client curiosity in mind. Ask yourself, “What would someone Googling this venue or session type actually want to know?”
Instead of “Ali + Jake’s Day at the Lake,” try:
👉 “Everything You Need to Know About Eloping at Echo Lake State Park”
👉 “Best Engagement Photo Spots in Beacon Hill (From a Local Photographer)”
See the difference? Still personal. Still beautiful. But now it’s searchable, helpful, and actually brings traffic to your site.
Write like a guide, not just a storyteller. Your future clients will thank you—with inquiries.
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4. Create a “What to Expect” Page with SEO Power
Most photographers don’t think twice about a “What to Expect” page—if they even have one. But it’s an absolute SEO sleeper hit.
Not only does this page build trust and set expectations (hello, fewer ghost inquiries), but it’s also a goldmine for naturally embedding keywords like your location, photography style, and session types.
Think:
📍 “What to Expect from Your Boston Maternity Session”
📍 “How My Documentary-Style Wedding Photography Works”
📍 “What It’s Like to Work with a Lifestyle Newborn Photographer in Cambridge”
This is where you walk potential clients through your process in a way that feels supportive and searchable. Break it down step by step—from inquiry to delivery—while slipping in phrases they’re already searching for.
Bonus: This page also filters out red-flag clients before they ever hit your inbox. Clarity = confidence for both of you. And yes—Google loves that kind of helpful, keyword-rich, well-structured content.
5. Use Google Business Posts Like Mini Blogs
If you’ve set up your Google Business profile and then ghosted it… you’re not alone. But also—you’re missing out.
Google loves fresh content. And those tiny “What’s New” posts? They’re not just for sales promos. They’re mini blogs in disguise—and a killer way to stay active in Google’s eyes without writing a full-blown post.
Post weekly. Keep it simple.
Add a photo from a recent session
Write 2–3 sentences about the location, type of shoot, or client experience
Include keywords like “Boston brand photographer” or “sunset maternity session on Crane Beach”
Mention the venue, the vibe, the season—whatever’s relevant
It’s fast, it’s free, and it tells Google: Hey, this biz is alive, active, and worth showing to more people.
Pro tip: Stack those posts over time and you’ll create a quiet-but-powerful local SEO engine that brings you traffic on autopilot.
6. Turn FAQs Into Standalone Blog Posts
If you find yourself answering the same client questions over and over… that’s not just a FAQ—it’s a blog post begging to be written.
Real client questions = real search terms.Think:
👉 “What should I wear for engagement photos in Boston?”
👉 “When’s the best time of year for family photos on the North Shore?”
👉 “Do I need a second shooter for my micro wedding?”
These are high-intent, high-converting searches—and most photographers aren’t targeting them.
Writing blog posts based on FAQs does two things:
Keeps you visible in search with low-competition, long-tail keywords
Positions you as the go-to expert who’s already solving problems before clients even book
Bonus: Link these posts in your inquiry emails or on your pricing page to streamline your client experience while boosting SEO. That’s what we call a content win-win.
7. Make Your Blog Posts Work Harder with Pinterest SEO
You’re already creating stunning blog content—so why let it just sit there?
Every blog post you publish should have at least one Pinterest pin linked back to it. Why? Because Pinterest isn’t just a pretty mood board—it’s a visual search engine with serious traffic potential (especially for photographers).
Use descriptive, keyword-rich pin titles like:
📌 “Modern Wedding at Crane Estate | Boston Wedding Photographer”
📌 “Fall Engagement Photos in Beacon Hill | What to Wear + When to Go”
Pins like these don’t just get shared—they rank on Google, too.(Pinterest boards often show up on page one for visual searches.)
Pro tip: Batch create 2–3 pins per blog post using Canva, and schedule them out with Tailwind or Pinterest’s built-in scheduler. Over time, you’ll have an evergreen traffic funnel working in the background—no extra blogging required.
Because if you’re putting in the work to blog, your content should hustle just as hard!
8. Update Your Old Posts Quarterly
Old blog posts aren’t dead—they’re dormant traffic opportunities just waiting to be revived. Most photographers hit publish and never look back, but Google loves fresh content. Even a quick update can breathe new life (and rankings) into your older work.
Here’s your quarterly blog glow-up checklist:
Add internal links to newer posts or relevant services
Swap out dates (“2023” → “2025”) to keep things current
Refresh your intro, update location references, or add bonus tips
Rewrite your meta title and description to match what people are searching for right now
You don’t need to overhaul everything—just make it relevant and readable.This is one of the fastest ways to boost your SEO without creating new content from scratch.
Because the truth is, your blog already has some hidden gems. You just have to shine them up and let Google do the rest.
Final Thoughts: Visibility Comes From Strategy, Not Just Shooting
At the end of the day, real SEO wins for photographers don’t come from cramming in keywords or copying what the competition is doing—they come from thinking like your clients. What are they searching for? What questions do they have? What words are they using to describe their dream shoot?
You don’t need to blog more. You just need to use smarter techniques. Use what you already know about your audience, add a few overlooked SEO strategies, and watch your content start working for you.
✨ Want help optimizing your website? An SEO Sprint VIP day might be just what you need! Schedule a discovery call to see what SEO can do for you ☺️
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