I recently helped a friend choose and book a photographer for her weddings. As a web designer who works primarily with wedding creatives, looking through all of these wedding photographers’ websites was a full-circle moment for me. So I took notes. I’ve observed common website mistakes that can turn potential clients away. Here are six crucial website tips for wedding photographers and all wedding pros to ensure your site stands out and attracts your dream brides.

I posted a carousel on Instagram about this topic, but wanted to expand on these website tips for wedding vendors! Here are some things that I noticed in a LOT of photographer websites that are turn-offs to your dream brides who are looking for their dream wedding vendors.

01: Your website is hard to navigate, or just bland on mobile view. 

In 2024, most brides are finding your website through Instagram or MAYBE a Google search. But almost always, they’re finding you on their phones.

Over 60% of website traffic comes from mobile devices. (source)

Mobile users are 5 times more likely to abandon a task if a site isn’t optimized for mobile. (source)

… So as you can see, it’s more important than ever to have a clean and easy-to-navigate mobile website design. While having a flashy website is fun, it’s important to prioritize making it simple to navigate for the less tech-savvy.

02: You’re using your fonts wrong and it’s hard to read.

Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. If you found a pretty font that you love, that doesn’t quite mean that it’ll work just anywhere on your website. 

Strategic branding guidelines ensure you have the appropriate typography kit for your brand and can use it harmoniously on your website and everywhere else you show up in your business.

Here are some specific typography tips:

• avoid adding too much letter spacing
• never use letter spacing with script fonts
• never put a script font in all caps, unless it’s a very specific intentional design choice
• use script and display fonts only for accent text (not paragraphs)
• don’t combine too many display / unique fonts on one website
• make sure any buttons or links are clearly intended to be clicked
• use the same font for headings throughout your website
• avoid using more than two, MAYBE three fonts total
  

03: The galleries you show off the most are styled shoots.

This might be controversial, but it needs to be said. Styled shoots =/= weddings. I agree that styled photo shoots and content days are an amazing tool that make for beautiful work in your portfolio. They can also show off your talent and your unique style to your ideal brides or customers.

BUT, as a web designer for wedding creatives, I can tell the difference. I believe most brides can tell the difference too. 

While those photos are beautiful, there is a HUGE difference in managing a styled shoot versus a real wedding day. Actual wedding days add a lot of planning, time restraint, unexpected moments, and pressure that isn’t there on a styled shoot or content day. Not to mention wedding days involve actual guests which provides a lot of different photo opportunities!

In my opinion, a little of both is ideal. Show off your most perfected photos and the aesthetic of your dream wedding day through styled shoots, and show off your planning and under-pressure ability through your real wedding days.

04: You never show your face.

I am so passionate about this, and several wedding photographer websites I looked at were guilty of this. Your prospective clients want to see who you are! If someone is able to scroll through your website and never learn your name or what you look like, they are far less likely to remember you. 

It’s KEY to strategically sprinkle photos of you throughout your website and your social media feeds. Bonus points if you have a branding photoshoot to go with your rebrand or website redesign. BONUS BONUS points if you have some behind the scenes footage of you on the job, doing what you do best. 

All of these things earn you legitimacy and personality points in the eyes of your ideal clients. By showing them who you are, you’ll stick out in their mind as a favorite pick.

05: Your website copy reads like it was written by a robot.

As an entrepreneur, you ARE your brand. Even if your name isn’t your business’ name, you are still what represents your brand. Your clients want to connect with a real person, so the copy on your website should show them that you are a real person.

BUT, this does not mean that every piece of copy needs to read like a text to your bestie; you can still be professional. But it’s so valuable to write in your own authentic voice.

Side notes: 

• Avoid using the same phrasing and taglines that you see other people in your industry use (i.e. “capturing memories forever”, “for the wild and free”, “photos that look like how the moments felt”, etc.) unless it is a unique tagline that you came up with. 

• Speaking of robots: Chat GPT is a great tool for idea generation, but don’t use it to write everything for your website, please I beg.

06: You don’t have your own domain (or even a website) at all.

Having an website and an actual domain connected, i.e. not a “.pixieset.com” domain, etc. is a good first step toward legitimizing your business. 

75% of users judge a company’s credibility based on its website design (kinesisinc.com/the-truth-about-web-design)

This is the quickest way to show professionalism in your business. Nothing turns clients away like having to book you for something as precious as their wedding through instagram DMs. 

If you’re doing amazing work, it’s time to have an amazing website presence that reflects the talented wedding vendor you are! Use these website tips for wedding photographers to maximize your impact and attract your dream clients.

Wedding photographers, planners, videographers, florists, hair stylists, makeup artists, bakers, caterers, calligraphers, and beyond — you are my absolute favorite niche of businesses to work with! Reach out today to work with me on creating a stunning custom website that converts.