Build a Photographer Website on Squarespace
TL;DR:
- Pick a photography-focused template from Squarespace's store
- Use banner images, galleries, and portfolio pages to display your work
- Optimize image sizes to keep loading times fast
- Add scheduling tools and contact forms for easy client booking
- Apply basic SEO practices to help people find your site
- Connect social media and use marketing tools to promote your work
Photography websites need to do two things well: show off your work and make it easy for clients to hire you. Squarespace handles both without needing technical skills.
Getting Started with Templates
Head to Squarespace's template store and filter by 'Photography'. These templates are built specifically for visual portfolios, so they'll highlight your images without getting in the way.
Preview a few options before deciding. Look for layouts that match how you want to present your work. Some templates work better for wedding photography, others for portraits or commercial work.
Displaying Your Photography
Homepage Impact
Your homepage needs to grab attention immediately. Use a banner image or image block to showcase one of your strongest photos. This creates that crucial first impression.
You can combine images with text overlays if you want to add context, but keep it minimal. The photography should do the talking.
Gallery Sections
Gallery sections let you group related images together. Each gallery can have its own design style, which helps when you shoot different types of work.
Add these sections to any page. They're perfect for showing complete projects rather than just individual shots.
Portfolio Pages
Create separate pages for different types of photography you offer. Wedding photographers might have pages for ceremonies, receptions, and engagement shoots. Portrait photographers could split by family, corporate, and creative sessions.
Use a mix of banner images, image blocks, and galleries on each portfolio page. This gives you flexibility in how you present each project.
Pixelhaze Tip: Update your portfolio regularly with recent work. Fresh content keeps visitors engaged and shows you're actively shooting.
Technical Considerations
Image Optimization
Large image files slow down your website. Resize photos before uploading them. Squarespace will compress them further, but starting with web-ready sizes helps.
Don't dump 50 photos on one page. Split large collections across multiple pages. This keeps loading times reasonable and makes browsing easier for visitors.
Performance Monitoring
Check how your site performs on mobile devices. Most people will view your work on phones, so images need to load quickly on slower connections.
Converting Visitors to Clients
Booking Systems
Acuity Scheduling integrates directly with Squarespace. Clients can book sessions without you having to manage a separate calendar system.
Add clear call-to-action buttons throughout your site. Make it obvious how people can get in touch or book a session.
Contact Forms
Use form blocks to collect the information you need from potential clients. Ask for basics like event dates, location, and budget range for weddings, or session type and preferred dates for portraits.
Marketing Tools
The Squarespace iOS app includes a Marketing Kit that helps create social media content from your website images. This saves time when promoting your work across different platforms.
Announcement bars work well for highlighting special offers or important updates about your services.
SEO Basics
Add alt text to your images. This helps search engines understand what your photos show and improves accessibility for visitors using screen readers.
If you're a local photographer, make sure your location appears clearly on your website. This helps with local search results when people look for photographers in your area.
Include relevant keywords in your page titles and descriptions, but keep it natural. "Wedding Photographer in Manchester" works better than stuffing in every possible keyword.
FAQs
How do I make my photos load faster on Squarespace?
Resize images before uploading and avoid putting too many on one page. Split large galleries across multiple pages to improve loading times.
Can I password-protect certain galleries?
Yes, you can set passwords for specific pages. This lets you create private galleries for clients to view their photos.
Does Squarespace work well for photography SEO?
Squarespace handles the technical SEO basics automatically. Adding alt text to images and including location information helps your site rank better in search results.
How many images should I include in my portfolio?
Quality beats quantity. Show your best 20-30 images rather than everything you've ever shot. You can always add more galleries for specific project types.
Jargon Buster
- Alt Text: Descriptions of images that help search engines and screen readers understand what photos show
- Gallery Sections: Website areas where you can group and display multiple images with different layout options
- Acuity Scheduling: Squarespace's built-in booking system that lets clients schedule sessions directly through your website
- Call-to-Action: Buttons or links that encourage visitors to take specific actions like booking a session or getting in touch
Wrap-up
A good photography website balances stunning visuals with practical functionality. Focus on showing your best work clearly and making it simple for clients to book your services.
Keep your portfolio updated, optimize images for web use, and use the built-in tools to handle bookings and client communication. This approach creates a professional online presence that can grow your photography business.
Ready to build your photography website? Join Pixelhaze Academy for step-by-step guidance and ongoing support.