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6 Things I Do to Grow My Small Photography Business Long Run
- Bigwig Photography
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Table of Contents
6 Critical things I do to grow my photography business for the long run
Growing a photography business is not just about taking beautiful photos. It is about building a foundation that lasts. Over the years, I have tried many strategies, learned from mistakes, and discovered what really makes a difference.
As you are reading this, I have gone from being number 50 on Google search results to ranking number 8, and I am working toward being number one for my main keyword. All of this happened simply by following these six crucial steps consistently and carefully.
1. Create a Google Business account and optimize it
This might sound obvious, but you would be surprised how many photographers skip it. A Google Business account makes your business visible locally, shows client reviews, and helps people find you. Creating the account is just the start. I take the time to optimize it fully: adding high-quality images, writing a warm and personal description of my business, and updating it regularly. I even write Google updates. I see very few people doing this, but it is really important to share what is happening with your business right now. Also, don't be shy to ask your clients to write a review for you. Read more here on: How to Get More Client Reviews on Google & Trustpilot. These small steps make a big difference in how potential clients discover me and trust my work.
2. Audit your website inside
Your website is your digital home, and it has to work perfectly. I regularly audit mine to make sure everything is smooth, fast, and user-friendly. One tool I always use is PageSpeed Insights. My goal is to have all metrics green, especially for desktop, fast-loading pages, quick response times, and a seamless experience for visitors. A slow website frustrates clients and makes it harder for Google to rank your site, so keeping it healthy is always worth the effort.
3. Optimize for mobile
Most of my clients browse my website on their phones. If your website is not mobile-friendly, you are losing people before they even see your work. I make sure images scale correctly, buttons are easy to tap, and pages load quickly on any device. Mobile optimization is essential.
4. SEO
This is one of the most important things I focus on. SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. In simple terms, it is everything you do on your website to help Google understand your work and show it to the right people. I spent a long time looking for someone to handle SEO for me, but honestly, I could not trust anyone else with my work. So I decided to do it myself, and I am so glad I did.
My main focus is on adding alt text to every single image on my website. As a photography business, this is time-consuming, but it is always worth it. Google loves it, and it makes my work more discoverable to people searching for photographers. If you want your business to grow long-term, investing in SEO is non-negotiable.
5. Blogging blogging blogging
Blogging is not just about showcasing photos. It is about connecting with a new audience and letting them get to know your work and your story. One big lesson I have learned is that evergreen blog posts work much better than trendy posts. Evergreen content stays relevant over time, like guides, tips, and personal stories about your process. Trendy posts might get a quick burst of traffic, but evergreen posts continue to bring clients to your site months and even years later.
I remember one of my wedding photographer friends from Slovenia, whose work I have always admired, searched on Google for Wedding Trends for this Year. They didn’t realize it was my blog post at first, but when they saw my images and recognized my style, they reached out to tell me I had ranked first on Google for that those keywords.The combination of the title and the first image had drawn them in to read the post. That moment made me so happy, and it reminded me that analytics doesn’t lie. Every day, I can see people discovering my blog and engaging with my work.
Even if a post isn’t fully evergreen, you can make small updates every year to keep it fresh. This way, it continues to attract readers and stay relevant while showcasing your style and expertise.
SEO and Blogging Don’t Have to Be Complicated When you write a blog post, focus on the essentials:
Title: Make it clear and keyword-focused
Header tags: Use H1, H2, H3 correctly for structure
Keywords: Include them naturally in the content
Images: Optimize alt tags with keywords
URLs: Make them descriptive and readable
Meta descriptions: Write unique descriptions for each post
By keeping these simple steps in mind, you can create blog posts that not only connect with your audience but also help your website get found on Google.
6. Make each page and service super niche
Your homepage should speak directly to your ideal client. I made every service super niche by creating separate pages for wedding photography, couple sessions, boudoir shoots, and more. Each page has its own focus, content, and SEO optimization. I made the mistake of mixing services on one page before, and it was confusing for both Google and potential clients. When I finally separated everything, created a dedicated page for each service, and optimized them properly, everything changed for the better. This approach not only helps Google understand my site more clearly, but it also gives clients a straightforward path to find exactly what they are looking for.
Growing a photography business takes strategy, patience, and care. These six steps are the foundation I have built mine on. It takes time, but this is the kind of growth that lasts and continues to bring clients who truly value your work.
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