Best SEO Keywords for Photographers: Find Phrases that Capture Clients

You’ve got the eye, the talent, and the portfolio, but if no one’s finding your photography website, it starts to feel defeating, doesn’t it? If you’ve ever wondered what keywords to use to actually get found on Google, you’re in the right place! Today, let’s talk about SEO keywords for photographers, like what they are, how to find them, and which ones actually help you book more of the couples you love working with.

What Are SEO Keywords for Photographers?

SEO keywords are the words and phrases people type into Google when they’re searching for what you offer. Think of them as the bridge between your dream clients’ searches and your website showing up.

If someone types “elopement photographer in Chicago,” and that’s what you do, you want your website popping up right there!

When used intentionally in your copy, page titles, and blogs, keywords help your website rank higher and attract the right kind of traffic on Google.

The 3 Types of Keywords Every Photographer Needs

When you start brainstorming keywords, don’t just think “wedding photographer.” We’re going a litttttle deeper to make sure you have more opportunity to rank on Google!

1. Broad Keywords (High Volume, High Competition)

These are your big-picture terms, phrases like:

• wedding photographer
• elopement photographer
• destination wedding photographer

These have high search volume (for example, “elopement photographer” gets around 12,000+ searches/month, but they’re super competitive. Broad keywords are great to sprinkle in, but they won’t carry your strategy alone.

2. Niche Keywords (Lower Volume, High Intent)

These are chef’s kiss keywords because they connect you with your dream clients.

Phrases like:

• adventure elopement photographer
• natural light wedding photographer
• film wedding photographer

These are less competitive but way more targeted. People searching these phrases already know what they want and they’re likely a little closer to booking.

3. Local Keywords (Must-Haves for Photographers)

If you shoot in a specific area, you need location keywords. These are your bread and butter for local SEO.

Examples:

• wedding photographer in Chicago
• Colorado elopement photographer
• Portland engagement photos

Add your city, region, or even nearby destinations where you’d love to work. (You can totally attract couples planning destination weddings too!)

How to Find the Best SEO Keywords for Your Photography Business

You don’t need fancy tools or expensive software to start finding your best keywords! Here are a few free and simple ways:

1. Use Google’s Autofill + Related Searches

Start typing “wedding photographer” in Google and see what pops up. The autofill suggestions are real keywords your audience searches.

Then scroll to the bottom of the search results page, those “related searches” are gold!

2. Google Keyword Planner

Head to Google Keyword Planner and explore what’s popular in your niche. Compare terms like “elopement photographer” vs. “wedding photographer” to see what’s trending in your area.

3. Ask Your Clients

This one’s underrated! How do couples describe you when they refer you? Do they say “adventurous,” “romantic,” or “intimate”? Use those phrases in your copy and blog titles.

4. Ubersuggest

If you want data on search volume, try tools like Ubersuggest. They’ll show you how often people search each phrase and how hard it is to rank for.

20+ SEO Keyword Ideas for Photographers

Here’s a mix of phrases to get you started. Sprinkle them through your site naturally, so Google doesn’t smack you on the wrist for over usage. 😉

Wedding Photography Keywords

• best wedding photographer in [city]
• best wedding photographers in [location]
• [city] wedding photographer
• wedding photographer in [city]
• LGBTQ wedding photographer
• wedding photographers in [location]
• [location] photographers
• Inclusive wedding photographer
• destination wedding photographer
• destination wedding photography
• wedding photographer [location]
• [location] wedding photographers
• [location] weddings
• weddings in [location]

SEO Tip: Avoid “affordable” or “cheap” in these keywords, even if they’re searched pretty often.

Elopement + Engagement Keywords

• adventure elopement photographer
• elopement photographer [location]
• engagement photos [city]
• proposal photography ideas
• intimate wedding photographer
• national park elopement photographer
• destination wedding photographer
• [location] elopements
• where to elope in [location]
• traveling wedding photographer

Where to Use Keywords on Your Website

Now that you have some keywords to use on your photography website, it’s important to know where to use them.

Include your main keywords in:

• Your homepage headline (h1) and intro paragraph
• Page titles and meta descriptions
• Blog post titles and headers
• Image file names + alt-text
• Internal links

And keep it natural! You’re writing for humans first, robots second.

FAQ: SEO Keywords for Photographers

Q: How many keywords should I target per page?
A: Stick with 1–2 main keywords per page, plus natural variations. Any more than that can feel forced. Keep in mind that you’re writing for humans first!

Q: What’s the biggest mistake photographers make with SEO?
A: Keyword stuffing! It’s outdated and can actually hurt your rankings. Use your keywords naturally through your website copy.

Q: How do I know if my keywords are working?
A: Track your website traffic and rankings using Google Analytics and Google Search Console. Both are free and give tons of insight!

Q: Can Pop Impact do the keyword research for me?
A: Yeah, of course! Our Blog Writing Packages include keyword strategy + optimized content for each blog post. Or sign up for a 1-Day Showit + SEO Intensive to get your list of keywords and any other SEO or website headaches off your plate.

Implement even a few of these keyword tips to your photography website and you’ll start seeing more visibility (and more inquiries from dream clients!) in no time. Don’t forget about our Blog Writing Packages that include keyword strategy or sign up for a 1-Day Showit + SEO Intensive to get your list of keywords and much, much more!