In March, I was a bridesmaid in the wedding of one of my close friends of seven years. But one other role I played leading up to her wedding was helping her pick her wedding photographer — and let me tell you, I had way too much fun with it (and also maybe took it too seriously). Being a brand and website designer who works with wedding photographers and other small businesses in the wedding industry, I’ve seen hundreds of photographer websites. So looking through them as a pretend bride was a fun role reversal.

While helping my friend browse portfolios and click through wedding photographers’ websites, I kept spotting the same issues over and over again. And it made me realize that these website pet peeves aren’t just annoying — they’re costing you inquiries. But the good news? They’re also super fixable.

If you’re new here — hi! I’m Maddie and I’m a brand and web designer who specializes in helping creative business owners (including wedding photographers like you) level up your presence online with strategic, beautiful branding and websites that actually convert. And I have designed a LOT of websites for wedding photographers in my day. So if you’re reading this and thinking, “Wait… is she talking about my site?”— don’t panic. You’re not alone, and I’m here to help.

Let’s get into the 6 website mistakes that might be turning potential clients away (and how to fix them).

01. Your website looks bland or broken on mobile.

I know you love the desktop version of your website more. Trust me, me too. But it’s time to face the fact that most of your potential clients are finding you on their phones. Which means your mobile site needs to be a priority, not an afterthought.

If your mobile site is hard to navigate, cluttered, or just plain confusing, you’re creating instant friction for someone who might’ve been ready to inquire. And honestly, it also makes it pretty obvious that you don’t know how to use your website platform (like Showit) to its full potential.

And it’s not just about layout. Think about the path someone takes from your Instagram profile (or wherever they find you) to your booking form. If it takes them too many clicks or they hit a dead end (hi, outdated Linktree links!!!), they’re probably going to give up.

Make the journey simple, smooth, and mobile-friendly. And if you need help doing that….I know a girl 😉

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

Fonts are the love of my life. They can be so fun. I get it. But some of y’all are getting a little carried away.

I actually saw SO many wedding photographer website with clashing font choices, too many styles at once, or tiny text that was practically unreadable. Your typography choices should enhance your brand, not distract from it.

Stick to 2-3 fonts max, make sure your body text is large and high-contrast enough to read easily, and don’t use your funky or handwritten script font for every single paragraph, I beg. Fonts are a branding tool, yes — but they also play a huge role in accessibility and usability.

Simply put, if people can’t read your site, they can’t hire you.

03. Your top galleries are all styled shoots.

This might be a little niche, but I’m deep in the wedding industry world at this point. So I love a styled shoot. I think they’re so great for so many reasons. They help you fill your portfolio, get creative, and show off your aesthetic or what your dream clients and dream wedding days look like. But if they’re the only thing on your site? Potential clients might start to notice.

Psst — not familiar with styled shoots? Here’s a great article on the difference!

Real couples want to see that you can handle real weddings. That includes how you work with chaotic timelines, harsh lighting, unexpected weather, and wrangling dozens of guests into family photos. It means capturing real moments and real emotions — not just the perfectly curated stuff. Styled shoots give you tons of time and flexibility to get those dream images, but make sure you show how you can handle real wedding days, too.

Use your styled shoots strategically, but make sure they’re not the only story you’re telling. Show off the real love, the real joy, and the real experience of working with you.

04. You never show your face.

Please, please, PLEASE do a branding photo shoot. Your couples aren’t just hiring a disembodied camera. They’re hiring you. Your vibe, your energy, your presence on the literal most important day of their lives.

If someone’s scrolling your site and can’t find a single photo of you (or worse, they’re not even sure if you’re a real person), they’re probably going to move on. You don’t need a full page of selfies, but you do need to help them feel like they know you, even just a little.

It also makes your website more memorable. Your face and personality are often the REAL reason people book you — your work just confirms it.

05. Your website copy sounds like a robot wrote it.

Listen. I, too, love some help from an AI assistant. And you know I love a good template. But if your copy contains all the ChatGPT cliches, or it still says “for adventurous couples who love love” or “let’s capture memories that last a lifetime”…… we need to talk.

Your words matter. And I get that writing is hard! But generic, filler phrases are not doing you any favors. Neither are the overused personality lines like “I love iced coffee, dogs, and traveling.” Like yeah, who doesn’t?

Personality is such a core value to my business. I just KNOW that you’re not that bland and have a unique personality. You also have a distinct approach and an actual client experience that’s worth talking about. So let’s talk about that. Ditch the default copy and say something real.

06. You don’t have a custom domain — or a website at all.

Yes, this still happens. And yes, it matters (more on that here!). If your URL contains “pixieset.com” or “wixsite.com,” that is okay if you’re just starting off. But if you’re serious about your business, it’s time to buy a domain. These free domains send the message that this isn’t a real business — or at least, that you’re not treating it like one. Same goes for businesses that don’t have a website at all and just say “DM me to book!”

It’s confusing. It feels a little untrustworthy. And it puts the burden on the client to figure out how to hire you!

Invest in a domain (they’re cheap), create a website (or hire someone like me to help), and make your inquiry process clear and seamless. You deserve a website that positions you as the pro you are. And your clients deserve a smooth experience from start to finish.

Final Thoughts

I design websites for wedding photographers (and all kinds of wedding pros) who care about purpose. Because I know how competitive this industry is, and I know how powerful a good website can be. Your site is often your first impression. Your first pitch. Your best sales tool.

Let’s make sure it’s doing its job.

If you’re a wedding photographer who’s ready for a website that looks stunning, reads clearly, works beautifully on mobile, and helps you book more clients — you know where to find me. I’d love to create a virtual home for your photography business that actually feels like you.