Being visible on Google Maps and in local search results is one of the easiest—and free!—ways photographers can attract new clients.
A polished Google Business Profile not only helps people find you, it also builds trust and credibility at a glance. When someone’s searching for “photographer near me” or “wedding photographer in [your city],” you want to be the one they click.
Let’s walk through how to set up and optimize your profile so you stand out from the crowd.
1. Claim and Verify Your Business Profile
First, go to Google Business Profile and claim your listing. Add these essential details:
- Business name
- Address or service area (if you don’t have a studio, you can hide your address)
- Phone number
- Website
- Business hours
Google will then prompt you to verify your profile.
2. Write a Clear and Compelling Business Description
Your business description is your mini sales pitch.
Keep it short, meaningful, and packed with relevant info—describe your photography style, specialties, and personality.
Example:
“I’m a documentary-style wedding photographer based in Chichester, capturing real, unscripted moments with warmth and creativity. Available for weddings, engagements, and elopements across the UK.”
Sprinkle in local keywords naturally (no stuffing!), like family photographer in Bristol or commercial photographer in Edinburgh to help with local search rankings.
3. Choose the Right Categories
Google lets you pick a primary category—so make sure it’s accurate and specific. Examples:
- Photographer
- Wedding Photographer
- Portrait Studio
You can also add secondary categories to cover other services, like:
- Event Photographer
- Pet Photographer
- Photo Restoration Service
These categories help Google show your profile to the right audience.
4. Add Great Photos
Photos are everything in a visual business like photography. So you should upload:
- High-quality images of your best work
- Behind-the-scenes or studio shots
- A professional-looking logo
Keep updating your photos regularly—Google loves fresh content, and it reassures potential clients you’re active.
Pro tip: If you’re feeling extra savvy, you can geo-tag your photos before uploading, which may help with local relevance.
5. Collect and Respond to Reviews
Ask happy clients to leave you a Google review.
Tip: You can send them a direct link to your review page—Google makes this easy inside your profile dashboard.
Respond to every review—good or bad. Thank people for positive feedback, and stay calm and professional if you get a less-than-stellar review. How you handle feedback speaks volumes about your business.
6. Keep Your Info Updated
Business hours change? Add it.
New services or packages? Update your profile.
Google even lets you post short updates, offers, or event announcements, which show up in search results. These little updates keep your profile looking fresh and give people more reasons to click.
7. Track Performance
Inside your Google Business dashboard, you can see useful insights:
- How people found you
- What search terms they used
- How many clicked to your website, called you, or requested directions
These stats help you understand what’s working—and where you can improve.
Becoming Locally Discoverable
A polished Google Business Profile quietly works for you 24/7, helping local clients find you, trust you, and choose you over competitors.
With a little setup and regular attention, it’s one of the easiest, most cost-effective marketing wins you can give your photography business.
Want to turn local visibility into real income? Check out Make Money From Photography, our complete guide to building a profitable, sustainable business doing what you love.
