From darkrooms to multimedia shows and mobile billboards, photography has had its fair share of transitions over the years.
Now, photographers are not defined by their talent with a camera; they need to be visible. When does having an online presence become of such importance? The answer is simple. Without an online presence, you’re invisible. Searching and hiring a photographer has become ten times easier with the internet. Not making the effort to make oneself visible means that you’re losing out on clients to your competitors who do make the effort.
Below, we’ll explore why every photographer needs an online presence to be successful.
In This Article:
Your Website is Your Digital Home Base
Every potential client who visits the webpage could hire your services after seeing your work. Making a website, then, is similar to an online studio. But, a portfolio website will only encourage clients to book your services if you show the best work you can offer.
Your website should contain a portfolio section where your best work can be showcased to reinforce the narrative of your work. Have you taken too many images? Too much can confuse potential clients.
The site should also prioritize user experience, making it easy to navigate, log in, and, most importantly, load. For most users, mobile optimization is also crucial.
Your website needs to have good calls to action as well. Guiding potential clients on what to do next with action prompts like “Book a Session,” “View Pricing,” or “Contact Me” makes it easy for potential clients to contact you.
SEO: The Secret to Being Discovered
Great photos are nice to have, but if no one can find the webpage, then what’s the point? Nobody searching for photographers in your area can view your website without Search Engine Optimization (SEO) unless they specifically search for your name or brand. If you are blogging about your photography, then you should include keywords that are relevant to your area, as well as optimize the metadata associated with your images. Remember also to claim your Google Business Profile, as it can enhance your presence in your locality. This is part of local SEO.
Posting regular fresh content like blogs or client success stories on your website will improve your ranking on search engines. The more information that your website has, the more potential buyers will be able to find your services. SEO cannot be accomplished in a single stroke; it requires a steady hand, working consistently and patiently over time to reap the rewards.
We’d highly recommend hiring a company to help you do this – there’s a lot more to SEO than we’ve mentioned, but we’re not here to make an SEO article!
Social Media is Your Free Marketing Tool
The possibilities are endless on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and even Pinterest. These social media platforms allow photographers to display work, connect with potential clients, and build their brands.
Posting regularly with relevant hashtags and engaging with followers will ensure their visibility. Sharing behind-the-scenes content, client feedback, and success stories makes social media a perfect platform for brands to become more approachable.
Consider using social media as a way of narrating the story of your business. Display your process, share powerful client stories, or offer photography advice. When potential clients perceive that you are an authority in your niche, they will have more confidence in giving you their business.
Engagement with your audience helps build rapport. Making time to reply to comments and responding to messages shows that you are active and encourages more people to engage with your business.
Try to post daily!
Online Booking Makes You More Accessible
Clients are always looking for ease and comfort. If booking a session with you means multiple emails or phone calls, some clients may give up. An online booking system on your website allows clients to schedule sessions at their convenience. Offering a digital gallery also improves the client experience by enabling professional sharing and downloading of their photos.
Incorporating an automated booking package gives clients more assurance. They can see when exactly you’re available and can lock a date in instantly. Some photographers take it a notch further by integrating payment systems for easier transactions. This extra step is what sets you apart as an expert.
Testimonials Build Instant Trust
Adding online reviews takes things up a notch. Including client testimonials on your website and Google Business Profile is one of the best ways to increase your credibility.
Other people’s experiences are trusted by people. A positive review from an existing client can be enough for a new customer to swoop in and choose you over the competition.
Motivate satisfied clients to provide feedback by sending follow-up emails or giving some form of reward, like a discount on their next reservations. The more reviews you have, the more assured new clients will feel about your services. In the photography business, trust is everything, and every testimonial you receive is proof that you truly deliver.
The Future is Video and Interactive Content
While still, images serve their purpose well, having video and interactive features can truly make a difference. Consider time-lapse footage of your photoshoot, behind-the-scenes work, and even client interviews. You can further take advantage of web interactivity by having virtual tours on your website and adding chatbots to make the experience more enjoyable and keep users on your page for longer periods.
With short clips of you editing your client’s video or their first reactions to the final output, you spark empathy among your potential clients. The beauty that lies behind a camera is something many people live for. Content of this type makes your brand more relatable because it touches human emotion instead of machinery.
Blogging Can Set You Apart
Many photographers overlook blogging, thinking it will not add value to their business, but as marketers, they are missing a potent opportunity. We started to discuss it a little above. A blog with good content like “Best Locations for Wedding Engagement Shoots” or “How to Prepare for Your Headshot Session” can go a long way in establishing you as an expert within an industry. Blogging also improves SEO by keeping visitors on your site for longer periods of time.
A well-written blog can do far more than attract clients. Great brands may contact you for promotional collaborations, or your work may get published in a media house.
You Level the Playing Field
Micro-entrepreneurship has revolutionized the advertising world, and as a result, solo photographers can now pursue the same opportunities that big studios once had. Establishing a well-optimized website and strong social media presence along with smooth interaction with clients is all it takes to compete with industry giants.
You can also sell prints or stock photography on Etsy and SmugMug, or even create and sell digital classes. The world has transformed, and so has your photography business. You are no longer bound to the constraints of working towards client bookings.
Conclusion
Every photographer needs an online presence – hopefully, you can see it now. We promise that failing to do so would lead to missed opportunities daily. Take charge of your career and let the internet showcase your work.
