How to Start a Photography Blog

Starting a photography blog can be one of the most rewarding ways to share your passion for capturing moments and telling stories through images. Business owners with blogs produce an average of 67% more leads monthly than those who don't. 

As a photographer and business owner, it is essential to showcase your unique perspective, connect with your target audience, and position yourself as an industry authority.

In this article, we will answer every question a photographer has about starting a photography blog. 

Why should you start a photography blog?

Your blog is one of the most essential elements for photography marketing. If you are wondering why you should start a blog for photography, you should know that companies that blog get 55% more website visitors than businesses that don't. This means that it increases your chances of being seen and potentially attract new clients.

While visitors are welcome, it’s essential to learn how to convert these visitors into paid customers. We will talk more about this later in the article but let's dive a little deeper into why you should have a photography business blog.

One of the most important reasons is to get photography clients. While it’s great if you are getting clients through other platforms like social media, or word of mouth, it is essential to make it easier for new potential clients to find you.

You need to create content tailored to these potential clients who are looking for photographers with your expertise. 

Another reason to start your blog is to establish yourself as a leader. When you use your personal experience as a means to drive your content, you are bound to stand out. Depending on your business model, it is helpful if you want to be a photography educator.

For instance, Ben Hartley, a professional wedding photographer, uses his expertise to teach photographers how to market their business.

In our conversation with him, he outlined his 3x5x3 Framework for  Effective Photography Marketing Strategy. This framework gives photographers a systematic and strategic approach to marketing their services effectively.

Starting your blog also allows you to get additional streams of income for your business. For instance, you can sell stock photos, digital photography courses to earn more.

How do you choose your Photography Niche?

If you want to build an effective blog, specializing in a niche can be a game-changer. A niche isn't just about limiting your subject matter; it's about honing in on your expertise and building a dedicated audience.

Your niche should align with your passion and strengths. It will be easier for you to stay motivated when you are interested in the niche you are writing about. While choosing, consider these factors:

• In what areas do you have the most knowledge and experience?
• What photography genres truly excite you?
• Is there a sufficient audience for your chosen niche?
• How does the niche fit into your overall business strategy?

To get you started here are some examples of photography sub-categories you can consider:

Landscape photography: How to guides, photo inspirations, finding perfect locations

Photo editing: Guides on how to use Lightroom or Capture One, achieving different photo editing styles, how to find your unique photography editing style

Fashion photography: How to find models, how to find locations, how to guides

Photography Gear: Reviews, how to use, the best gear in the market etc.

Wedding Photography: How to find the right photoshoot locations, wedding checklists etc

It's smart to research keywords and check potential traffic to run a successful blog for photography. You can use tools like Ahrefs or Semrush to get started. You can learn how to find relevant keywords on this helpful blog.

Remember, your niche can evolve over time. It's essential to stay flexible and open to new opportunities while maintaining a strong focus.

How to choose the right platform for your blog?

Your blog name and domain are the first impressions potential readers and clients will have of your business. They should be memorable, relevant, and reflective of your brand identity.

And to cement the foundation of your online presence depends on the platform you choose. You can consider free blogging platforms. However, it comes with a lot of limitations such as lack of customization, content control, hard to monetize, etc. You can use sites like Medium, Substack, notion to set up your photography blog if you want to get started with a free blog.

If you want to set up your photography website, there are several options available, each with its strengths and weaknesses.

WordPress.org: Offers unparalleled flexibility, customization, and control. Ideal for those comfortable with technical aspects.

WordPress.com: A user-friendly platform with limited customization options. Suitable for those seeking a quick setup.

Squarespace: Known for its beautiful templates and ease of use. A good choice for design-focused photographers.

Wix: Another user-friendly platform with a drag-and-drop interface. Offers a wide range of customization options.

It is essential to consider factors like ease of use, design flexibility, SEO capabilities, and cost when making your decision. 

How to choose design and branding for your blog?

Your blog's design and branding are essential elements in creating a strong online presence. They reflect your personality, style, and the overall message you want to convey. To get started, you will need to do the following:

Choose a Color Palette: Select colors that evoke the desired emotions and complement your brand personality. It would be helpful to to create a mood board on how you would like your blog to look, and what colors you would use. You can use tools like Canva to build your mood board, theme, and colors for your website. If you need help choosing your color palette, you can use Coolrs — a tool that helps you find the perfect color combinations for your blog

Select Fonts: Choose fonts that are easy to read and complement your brand style.

Create a Logo: A logo is the visual representation of your brand. It should be memorable and reflect your style. You can either hire someone to do this for you or use online tools to help you create a logo for your business

Once you are done choosing your brand colors and design, use the same color palette, fonts, and logo throughout your blog for a cohesive look. Additionally, ensure your blog is easy to navigate, with clear calls to action and a clean layout.

How to create content for your photography business blog?

If you are wondering how to start a photography blog, content is the most essential player for your success. To create effective content for your blog you need to ensure your posts are engaging, informative, and aligned with your business goals. Keep in mind that keyword-optimized blogs will help you gain more traffic and get clients. 

It is essential to stay consistent to build a successful blog. Make sure to prepare your content calendar so you have a list of blog ideas ready to be published.

While writing your blogs, consider adding information from your personal experience to make it more authentic. Make sure to add images in your article to demonstrate your photography skills and potentially generate inquiries.

For instance, if you are a wedding photographer, consider using your wedding photography to showcase your wedding photo editing techniques and unique style. Add a form at the end of the blog for anyone looking to enquire about your prices.

But it's always better to be different. Professional photographers advise to go opposite when writing your blogs. For instance, if you are writing about how to tell a story with your photography, you can switch it up with how to connect with your subject to tell a great story. Or instead of using technical jargon like which photography gears to use you can switch it up with how to capture great photos.

How to promote your photography blog?

Now that you have created some SEO blogs, it is essential to think about distribution. 

What is distribution?

Content distribution is the process of sharing the content you create via different channels. Distribution channels can include social media, newsletters, etc. 

To get started, you need to decide which channel is best for your blog distribution. Focus on platforms where your target audience is most active (Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, etc.). You need to plan your distribution based on the channel.

For instance, if you are comfortable with speaking on camera you can create a short video about the blog topic and publish it on reels and YT shorts. However, video content will depend on the topic you are creating. If you published a tutorial guide on how to use a Fujifilm x100v camera or essential photography gear and tools, it would make more sense to redistribute it in the form of video. If it's a checklist, consider using static posts or carousels.

Use Instagram and Facebook Stories to share snippets/quotes of your blog content and link it to drive traffic to your blog.

For newsletters, you can send your subscribers valuable content based on your published blog. If you're looking to promote your blog about finding the best wedding caterers, consider including a wedding checklist in your newsletter. This checklist can serve as a helpful resource for your readers while also directing them to your blog for more detailed information.

A successful blog distribution strategy means more people are visiting your website. This can pave the way for you to add additional revenue streams for your blog.

How to earn money from your photography blog?

Once your blog is set up and you have a steady flow of visitors, you can start exploring various monetization methods. Here are a few ways you earn money from your blog for photography:

Affiliate Marketing: Partner with brands that offer products or services related to photography. These could be Gears, Lighting, Photography equipment, etc. You can learn more about affiliate marketing in our detailed guide. Some of the most popular brands where you can earn from affiliates are Adobe, Adorama, Aftershoot, GoPro, and more.

Promote these products through your blog posts organically and earn a commission for each sale made through your affiliate links. 

Sell Digital Products: Create and sell digital products such as Lightroom presets, Photoshop actions, eBooks, or online photography courses. These products can provide a steady stream of passive income.

Offer Photography Services: Use your blog to promote your photography services. Include a portfolio of your work, client testimonials, and a clear call-to-action for booking inquiries. Services can range from photo shoots, and mini sessions to photo editing and consulting.

Print Sales: Sell prints of your best photographs. Use platforms like SmugMug, Fine Art America, or Etsy to reach a wider audience. Ensure your prints are high-quality and offer a variety of sizes and formats.

Workshops and Tutorials: Conduct online or in-person photography workshops and tutorials. Share your expertise and teach others how to improve their photography skills. Promote these workshops through your blog and social media channels.

If you are starting with workshops, start with a limited number of students. For instance, you can start your online workshop with just 10 students and then work your way up to more students when you start to get the hang of it.

And if you are wondering how much to charge for your workshops, here’s a tip:

Always charge more than you think you are worth. We always tend to undervalue ourselves. This method has helped many photographers earn more money from their workshops.

The Road to Success

Now that you have all the answers to your questions, don’t be afraid to experiment and see what works for your business. The more you post, the more you’ll find your voice and style. It requires patience, consistency, and time. 

And if you need a little help saving time to focus on your business,  Aftershoot is here to help! Start your free trial today and get on with starting that blog.