Create a Photography Website: How to Do It and What You Need

It seems like everyone is a photographer in the age of Instagram. However, if you'd like to go beyond the selfie scene and try to earn a living, you're going to need to showcase your work on a professional website. So, how can you quickly and easily make one?

In the guide below, we'll let you know why a website is so important for photographers, how you can make one of your own, and what you'll need to pay attention to.

There are plenty of ways to share or store photos online: On social media platforms like Instagram or Facebook you can create and publish digital albums, while cloud storage allows anyone to send their photos to others. While good, none of these are capable of completely replacing a website, which offers a few unique advantages:

Most people search for services online, and photography is no exception. By not having a website, you risk losing access to clients and jobs. So, how to make one?

Broadly speaking, there are four ways to create a photography website: You can program it yourself, have someone else code it for you, use a content management system (CMS), or try your hand at a website builder. Below, we'll introduce each of the four methods and briefly explain their strengths and weaknesses.

Supposing that you have the skills, you can make a photography website on your own. In addition to IT expertise, you'll also need hosting (digital storage space) and enough time to bring your vision to life. If taking this approach, you'll be responsible for all technical aspects, including security.

If coding isn't your thing, but you have a decent budget and a detailed concept of what your photography website should look like, you can pay a pro to design it for you.

Would you like to build your own photography website, but don't have the coding skills to design it from scratch? In that case, a content management system (CMS) could be a good solution. These come with the most important components of a website, meaning that you don't have to program them yourself. Getting started is easy and no technical knowledge is required.

Beyond that, most CMSs (such as WordPress, the most-used option on the planet) are open-source and free to use. You'll still have to pay for hosting and a domain though.

If a CMS is too complicated for you, then our most straightforward method is probably the best option. With website builders, you can quickly create a website without any programming skills.

These all-in-one solutions include everything a photography website needs: You'll visually design your site with a drag and drop editor, while everything else, like hosting, a domain, and security, is taken care of by the platform. For this convenience, you'll pay a monthly subscription fee. Some website builders offer free versions, however, these don't support custom domains, giving websites made with them an unprofessional appearance.

Would you like to use a website builder to create your photography site? If so, you'll have to select the right provider. We comprehensively reviewed 12 of the best solutions and below, will let you know what our TOP 3 picks are:

Squarespace has made quite a name for itself with its elegant, image-centric templates. For photography websites, where non-image content only plays a secondary role, Squarespace is an ideal choice. As if that wasn't reason enough, the provider offers several templates that were specifically designed for photographers, and optimized for photography websites.

Squarespace has become something of an all-arounder, however, its templates show that the platform is targeted at creatives who need to visually impress their clients. Its designs are elegant and minimalistic, creating the perfect atmosphere for appreciating high-quality photos. What more could you ask for?

The platform's editor is user-friendly, offering almost all of the features that you'll need to create a professional photography website. Portfolios can be integrated as a separate page type. And since Squarespace offers several templates designed specifically for photographers, you won't need to spend too much time adjusting whichever one you choose.

It's fairly easy to use Squarespace's editor, however, some of its competitors (such as Wix), offer even more intuitive platforms. Another drawback is that Squarespace makes it unnecessarily complicated to create multilingual websites. Finally, compared to the other services from our sample, Squarespace is on the pricier side.

We think that Wix is the best all-arounder in the website builder market. From its beginner-friendly, drag and drop editor, to its huge selection of templates, features, and content elements, you can't go wrong with the Israeli platform. This applies to photography websites too, not least owing to the large assortments of templates that are available (even more than Squarespace):

Wix doesn't focus on a market niche or target group but offers everybody the ability to make any kind of website. It's little surprise, therefore, that the platform is so easy to use: In contrast to Squarespace, you can freely drag and drop content around the screen, placing it wherever you want.

The selection of elements and templates is huge, and in the sprawling Wix Marketplace, you can find and purchase even more apps and features.

By trying to please everyone, Wix puts itself at a disadvantage: Wix's templates can't hold a candle to Squarespace's in terms of quality. It's also unfortunate that after selecting a template for your website, you cannot change it without losing all of your progress, unlike Squarespace.

Photographers have special needs when designing a website and thankfully, there are website builders, like FORMAT, that were specifically designed to meet them. The site-building solution for photographers (and other creatives), offers everything you might expect from a typical website builder, but also, branch-specific features.

Unlike other website builders, FORMAT has a specific target group, tailoring its features to their needs. These include cloud storage for photos, a marketplace for prints, and workflow features, which support the business side of your work. For example, you can create an image gallery and share it privately with clients.

Particular emphasis is placed on creating a portfolio, with which you can showcase your photos and projects in a sleek and professional manner.

Unfortunately, FORMAT isn't as versatile as all-purpose website builders. Some of its features, like those for blogging, aren't as developed as what its competitors offer.

Of course, there are plenty of other website builders that you can make a photography website with. Below, we've included the full ranking from our EXPERTE.com comparison:

Your photography website doesn't need to reinvent the wheel: Visitors are usually interested in very specific information, which means that photography websites have similar formats and structures. Do you need some inspiration? Below, we've summarized the most important elements, with a few good examples to drive the points home.

Your homepage should be all about your visitors: If they aren't satisfied with what they find, chances are that they won't ever appear in front of your camera. Use the opportunity to highlight your skills and achievements with a (small) selection of your best work in different settings.

Beyond that, make sure that visitors can easily navigate from your homepage to other areas of your website that include important information.

Your clients are going to pay for what you can do with a camera, not what you can write. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, so impress visitors with your work. Your portfolio should consist of an assortment of your best photos, arranged categorically (for example, portraits, family photos, etc.) or by occasion (weddings, family reunions, etc.).

Let visitors know what services you offer and how much you charge. This saves everybody time since you won't need to answer the questions that every potential client ("How much for...?") and lets them immediately know if you're within their price range.

Use this section to tell your story, including how you became interested in photography. This isn't a must for all potential clients, but if a couple is considering you for their wedding or their child's baptism, knowing something about the person behind the lens could make all the difference.

Don't hide your contact details! Make sure that you have a contact page that's accessible via your main menu with a form, your email address, and your telephone number. You can also add contact buttons elsewhere on your website, like your homepage or under your services.

If you're considering working professionally as a photographer or already are, you're going to need a website. There, you can present your work and your services, and be found by potential clients. Should you be unable to program one on your own, you can hire a freelancer or agency, or create one yourself with a CMS or website builder.

CMSs are much more versatile, but also more complicated and need to be set up. Website builders are less flexible but more beginner-friendly and straightforward. You can read comprehensive reviews of all 12 website builders in our EXPERTE.com comparison series.