Imagine this: A client-to-be stumbles on your website, eager to find the perfect photographer for their big day. They’re captivated by your IG, but the moment they land on your photography website, confusion sets in. The images load slowly, your pricing is nowhere to be found, and the contact form feels like an interrogation. Within seconds, they click away to your competitor. That’s why I’ve put together this simple guide for how to design a photography website in 2025, including 9 of WORST photography website mistakes to avoid!

Your website isn’t just a portfolio—it’s your silent sales machine! Are you unknowingly sabotaging your own business? Let’s dive into the 9 most common photography website mistakes—and how to fix them before they cost you another dream client. If you’ve been asking yourself, “How do I create my own photography website? What do you need for a photography website? What does a good photography website look like?” you’re in the right place!

How to design a photography website in 2025 that is POWERFUL for converting your ideal clients

1. Slow load times

A stunning portfolio means nothing if your website takes forever to load. This is an especially big problem with photography websites, which typically house large, unoptimized image files that drag down site speed. It drives away visitors away before they even see your work!

Picture a busy bride who obviously wants the best- she has 30 tabs open of of different wedding photographers and your site isn’t loading immediately: X and NEXT! You have to compress your images and use a fast, reliable hosting provider.

2. No clear call to action (CTA)

Your website should guide visitors to take the next step—whether that’s booking a consultation, filling out an inquiry form, or viewing your pricing. If your CTA is weak or missing, potential clients won’t know what to do next. Be extremely clear and don’t get too cute with language or overly profession with jargon. Make the customer pathway 100% easy to follow and execute.

3. Difficult or confusing navigation

If visitors can’t find your portfolio, pricing, or contact information within seconds, they’ll leave. A clean, intuitive menu with clear labels is essential!

4. No pricing guide

Many photographers hesitate to share pricing, but hiding your rates can lead to lost inquiries. Even if you don’t list exact prices, offering starting rates or a general investment range can help make potential clients feel like inquiring is worth their time.

5. A weak (or nonexistent) About page

People don’t just book a photographer—they book you. A vague or impersonal About page makes it harder for clients to connect with you. Heck- this person is literally inviting you to their wedding!! They want to know who you are. Share your story, your values, and what makes your approach special.

6. A contact form that’s too long or complicated

If your contact form asks for too much information or feels overwhelming, clients might not bother filling it out. Keep it simple—name, email, event type, event date, and a short message option are enough for the initial contact.

7. Poor mobile experience

Most visitors will view your site on their phone first. If your site isn’t mobile-friendly—if it’s hard to scroll, images are cropped weirdly, or the text is tiny—you’re losing potential clients before they even get started.

8. Mediocore SEO

That’s right- even average SEO isn’t going to cut it in the competitive space of photography websites. Your SEO needs to be top notch.

It’s not enough to have basics like meta descriptions and alt text. You need the works- front and back end SEO, consistent blogging, A+ loading speed, and more! Use relevant keywords, write compelling blog posts, and ensure your images have proper alt text to boost your visibility.

9. No trust signals or testimonials

Word-of-mouth is powerful, especially for photography websites. If you’re not showcasing glowing client reviews, featuring real wedding or session galleries, and aren’t keeping the work you display current and updated, you’re discrediting yourself!

If all of this information on how to design a photography website is helpful, let me know! This is just the beginning 🙂 If it sounds overwhelming and you want to make sure it gets done right (and FAST!), reach out to me any time! I bring creative photography websites to life with unique aesthetics, stunning imagery, fast loading times, healthy SEO, and all the touches only a professional can create!