Building an effective photography website is crucial for attracting clients and showcasing your work. It doesn’t even matter if you’re not a full-time pro, either. There’s no getting around it. Once you’re past the initial stages of photography and work with clients of one sort or another, you’re going to need a website. You cannot rely on Instagram and Facebook forever.

However, there are common mistakes that can make your work less appealing and less visible. In this video, Scott from Tin House Studio analyzes some websites that were shared in his Facebook group. He highlights both the errors and the elements done right. By learning from these examples, you can improve your own website and increase your chances of attracting clients.

Font and Color Choices

One of the first aspects to consider is font and colour selection. Avoid using hard-to-read fonts, and make sure the colour scheme enhances readability. Pixelated images, watermarks, and random logos should be avoided at all costs, says Scott. Choose simple, visually appealing colours that make your images stand out.

User-Friendly Navigation

This one is true for any website, whether it’s photography related or not. Make sure that your website is easy to navigate. Visitors should be able to access your portfolio quickly and effortlessly. Avoid unnecessary home pages and excessive submenus. You need to streamline your website to best showcase your work, without frustrating visitors with a complicated navigation system.

Image Quality

The quality of your images is paramount, says Scott. Make sure you upload high-resolution images that showcase your skills and expertise. Low-resolution images or pixelated photographs can give a negative impression and deter potential clients. Invest in presenting your work in the best possible light.

Clear and Concise Information

Provide clear and concise information about your services and contact details. Avoid overwhelming visitors with unnecessary details or cluttered pages. Make it easy for potential clients to contact you by displaying your phone number and email address prominently. It’s good to have a dedicated contact page but also have the information on a footer on every page. That way, people don’t have to try to look for the page.

Consistent Branding

Try to stick to consistent branding throughout your website. Use a consistent logo, font, and colour scheme that reflect your style. Inconsistent branding can create confusion, often, simpler is better.

Remember that your website is often the first thing your potential clients will see. They will generally make up their minds if they want to see more within the first 30 seconds of landing on your website. Watch the whole video to get a full run down and detailed examples, it’s extremely helpful.

Even if you’ve had a decent website up for a while, it’s always good to take stock of it again and revise it every couple of years or so, or if you change direction in your work.

How often do you update your website?