Photography is one of the most celebrated forms of modern art. For most photographers, it’s more than just a hobby, it’s a livelihood. Taking photos is a stream of income that keeps their craft alive. For most photographers, this practice is a form of art that gives them unbridled creative freedom and artistic expression.
Many photographers harbor their talent for the online world to see. This compelled many photographers to take better pictures and develop their own online portfolios. These sites served as a living memento of their extraordinary talent. On the more practical spectrum of things, it’s also a way to find new clients.
Whether you’re a budding photographer or a professional one, you must learn how to make a photography website. Not all photographers have the technical background to create a photography website.
With that in mind, we’re here to help you understand the structure of a photography website and how to make one. We’ll discuss the steps on how to create a photography website with zero coding skills. If you want to learn how to do it, you can read on to find out!
Here’s a quick look at how you can start making a photography website:
- Define Your Objectives
- Select the Best Website Builder
- Look for an Outstanding Template
- Create a Gallery Section
- Upload Your Best Shots
- Connect Your Social Media Channel
- Add a Contact Us Section
- Review Your Photography Website
- Publish and Promote
- Non-Stop Improvement and Maintenance
How to Make a Photography Website in 10 Easy Steps?
Before we further elaborate on each step, you must first envision your photography website. Find out how you want it to look, what you want it to do, and what you want clients to do on your website. We advise creating a mind map so you can visualize your initial plans.
After these basic steps are out of the way, you can now proceed to make a photography website in 10 easy steps:
1. Define Your Objectives
In creating a photography website, one must first define their goals. You cannot embark on a journey without a clear destination. You must know where you’re headed first.
Before you make a photography website, determine how the website will serve your craft and serve you as an artist. For example, one of your goals may be to increase the number of clients you have. Your goal could also be to increase social media engagement by connecting your channels to a photography website.
Whatever your goals are, make sure that they are smart. Before you could learn how to make a photography website, you must first learn how to establish objectives. Make sure to write it down so you can track any progress in the future.
2. Select the Best Website Builder
Image taken from Strikingly product
The digital realm is now brimming with many free website builders, each one of them has its own set of features that make them stand out. Your goal is the find the best website builder for you. If you want to make a photography website the right way, then you must find the right site builder for your needs and objectives.
Strikingly is a free website builder that allows you to create a photography website design that stands out. All its features are beginner-friendly, including its convenient drag-and-drop function.
You can create your first Strikingly account for free. But if you want to unlock exclusive features, make sure to upgrade to a Pro or VIP plan. We’ll get more into those plans later so stick around to find out more.
3. Look for an Oustanding Template
Image taken from Strikingly product
If you want to make a photography website, there’s a secret to make it more memorable - choosing a stunning website template. Your photography website is only as good as your template is. Make sure to select the best one.
Fortunately, Strikingly has a wide array of templates to choose from. There are templates for ecommerce businesses, education website templates, and blogging website templates.
As you can see in the image above, there are categories to narrow down your search. The photo above shows the “Discover” page where you can see Strikingly user websites. You can get template inspirations from them too.
4. Create a Gallery Section
Image taken from Strikingly user website
In learning how to create a photography website, you must also learn how to showcase your photos. Take a look at our example in the image above. This gallery section is taken from the Photographic Voice website, a photography site created with Strikingly.
To add a gallery, go to your website editor and click on “Add New Section.” Then scroll down until you find “Gallery” and choose it.
Image taken from Strikingly product
As you can see in the image above, you can rearrange the photos you will add and change the style of the section. To make a photography website, you have to master the art of aesthetics. Don’t forget to play around with the design and style to make a photography website that’s fun to look at and easy to navigate. Don’t forget to follow the correct image size for your website.
5. Upload Your Best Shots
Image taken from Strikingly user website
After you’ve added a gallery section, select your best shots for a showcase. You can also use a bit of photoshop techniques to enhance your images. After all, post-production edits are also part of photography practice.
Image taken from Strikingly product
If you want to make a photography website that attracts clients, you must add enough photographs. To add images, you can drag files or browse your computer for images to upload. You can also use the images you’ve uploaded onto Strikingly. There’s also an option to upload an image from a website URL. But since you’re uploading your own images, you won’t use that function too often, unless you have photos on other existing sites.
6. Connect Your Social Media Channel
Image taken from Strikingly user website
If you want to make a photography website to increase engagement, you must add social media services to your site. As you can see in the image above, you can achieve dynamic content for your photography website if you do this.
In creating a photography website, you must also include your other channels for optimized promotions. As long as you keep all your social media channels active, you’re good to go.
7. Add a Contact Us Section
Image taken from Strikingly user website
To make a photography website that drives in many customers, you need to add a Contact Us page. Through this, potential clients can reach out to you for inquiries. They can also contact you for an event so you can offer your services for a certain charge.
To add a Contact Us page, go to your site editor, click “Add New Section”. Then look for the “Contact” section. You also get the option to add a map, in case you have a physical studio for photography services.
8. Review Your Photography Website
Once you’re done selecting the template, adding photos, and customizing the design and function of your site, you can go back and review it.
In creating a photography website, you must also do a post-development evaluation. Check if all the buttons lead where they should be. Don’t forget to ensure visual consistency as well. If you have text on your photography website, make sure that the typography matches.
Depending on the length and content of your photography website, reviewing everything might take some time. It may even take longer than the time it took to make a photography website.
9. Publish and Promote
Image taken from Strikingly product
Now that you’re done with your website review, it’s time to publish your photography website. Technically this is the last step in making a photography website design. But we still have one more step to ensure your success.
To publish your website, go back to your site editor. Do a quick scan of your website to ensure all the sections are there. At the bottom left corner of the left-side menu, you’ll see “Publish”. Hit it once and now your website is up on the online world!
But before you celebrate, don’t forget to connect a domain name for your website. With Strikingly, you can buy and register a domain for only $24.95 per year! That is the best deal you can get for a unique and available domain.
10. Non-Stop Improvement and Maintenance
After publishing and promoting your website, the final and unending stage is maintenance and improvement. To make a photography website that outlasts the competition, you must always ensure that you offer the best deals for your clients.
With that in mind, you must always ensure that your photography website is constantly updated, responsive, and easy to use. In learning how to create a photography website, you must also learn maintenance and development. You must always strive to look for ways to make your website better than ever.
Strikingly enables photographers like you to make a website in just under 10 easy steps. If you want the world to see your talent, head on to Strikingly, and create your first free account today!