Keyword Research for Wedding Photographers and Filmmakers – Introduction
It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting out as a wedding photographer or you’ve been shooting for a while. SEO is still an incredibly great way to generate bookings. At the time of writing this post 70% of my bookings for next year have come via SEO.
I’ve always seen SEO as a game and the “points” or “prizes” are enquiries”
A big part of the “game” for us wedding photographers is keyword research. Knowing which keywords are right for you, working out what your competitors are ranking for and understanding how to create content around your keywords are just some of the topics covered in this post.
I’ve kept this post as “non-technical” as possible and jargon-free. Allowing you to get started with your own keyword research so you can begin or start to build more on your own SEO for your websites.
1. What is Keyword Research?
Keyword research is the process of figuring out what words and phrases people type into search engines like Google when they’re looking for services like yours.
For example, a couple planning their wedding might search for “best wedding photographer in London” or “documentary wedding photography.” These are the keywords you want to target in your content. (not specifically those, just terms that are more relevant to you and your audience)
2. Why Keyword Research Matters for Wedding Photographers
When you use the right keywords on your website, blog, and social media, you make it easier for potential clients to find you. Good keyword research will help you:
- Show up in search results when couples are looking for wedding photographers.
- Stand out from your competition.
- Attract more of the clients you want to work with.
- Adding value and helping out potential couples.
By focusing on the phrases that your ideal clients are searching for, you can make sure your business is visible online where it matters most.
3. How to Do Keyword Research in 5 Easy Steps
Here’s a simple process to help you get started with keyword research for your wedding photography business:
Keyword Research Step 1: Think Like Your Clients
Start by brainstorming what your clients might search for. Consider questions like:
- What locations do they mention (e.g. “wedding photographer in Italy”)?
- What style are they looking for (e.g. “natural wedding photography”)?
- What type of services do they need (e.g. “engagement photos” or “elopement packages”)?
Write down a list of phrases that come to mind. Keep it broad at this stage – there’s no such thing as a bad idea at this stage. The more you can come up with in the initial stages will give you a better chance at creating either better keywords or overall a higher volume of content on your website.
Keyword Research Step 2: Use Free Tools to Find Keywords
Once you have some ideas, use free tools like Google’s Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, or AnswerThePublic to expand your list. These tools can show you:
- How often people search for your keywords.
- Related keywords you might not have thought of.
For example, if you search for “destination wedding photographer,” you might find related terms like “intimate destination weddings” or “luxury wedding photography.”
Don’t forget you want to get a good list of as many keywords as you can.
Keyword Research Step 3: Focus on Long-Tail Keywords
Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific phrases like “relaxed wedding photographer in the Cotswolds.” These keywords are usually less competitive, meaning it’s easier to rank for them. Plus, they’re more likely to attract the right couples who are looking for exactly what you offer. It’s true they may not have the search volume as “wedding photographers” though if you are able to slowly build so you have lots of these long-tail keyword posts then over time, your search volume will increase whilst attracting the perfect couples for you. This is great when it comes to blogging for wedding photographers. You can really mix up your blog and create new content around weddings you’ve already blogged about in a different way and from a new perspective.
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Keyword Research Step 4: Analyze the Competition
Check out what other wedding photographers in your area are ranking for. Type some of your keywords into Google and see what shows up. Pay attention to:
- The content on their websites.
- How they describe their services.
- The blog topics they write about.
If other people are ranking well, it’s for a reason. Yeah, they could possibly have better backlinks and/or a stronger website (domain authority). Seeing what other people are doing well already will give you inspiration and ideas for your own content and keyword ideas.
Remember the bigger the list of keywords you can create the better your chances at overall SEO greatness!
Keyword Research Step 5: Create Content Around Your Keywords
Now that you have your keywords, start creating content that includes them naturally. For example:
- Write a blog post titled “Top 5 Tips for Choosing a Wedding Photographer in London.”
- Update your website’s homepage to include phrases like “natural wedding photography in Manchester.”
- Create a page on your website for “Lancashire Wedding Photographer”
- Find related keywords to some of your priority keywords like “Best Wedding Venues in Lancashire” or “5 Reasons I Love Shooting Weddings in London”
- Find ways to add value to couples with articles like ‘How To Look Great In Your Wedding Photos” making these helpful articles is a great way to add trust and link back to your pages.
Remember: Don’t overuse your keywords. They should flow naturally and make sense within your content.
The more well written articles you can create from all of your keyword research and the more you can link them all together in an organic way. The more likely you are to rank well.
4. Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best free tool for keyword research?
Google’s Keyword Planner is a great place to start, but tools like Ubersuggest and AnswerThePublic are also helpful. There are paid options for Ubersuggest and AnswerThePublic but the free versions are enough to get you started.
How many keywords should I use?
Focus on a few key phrases for each page or blog post. Quality matters more than quantity. Though the more overall pages and blogs you have for many different Keywords the better. Bonus points for linking your pages together in a subtle and organic way.
How long does it take to see results from keyword research?
SEO is a long-term game, so it might take a few months to see significant changes. Be patient and stay consistent. If youre willing to keep going and create great content over a longer period of time. The more likely you’ll have a wide reach of great results constantly working for you in the background. Then you can work on other marketing streams knowing SEO enquires will come in from your efforts.
5. Conclusion and Next Steps
Keyword Research is an important task that doesn’t really give you an immediate return on investment. Though if done well and consistently will give you a clear vision on the content you want to create. Leading to more enquiries from your ideal couples and locations. You can find out ways to add more value to brides and grooms planning their weddings and this will build trust with them. Seeing you as a trustworthy expert in your field.
Get started with the tips above and seek guidance and inspiration online. Try not to procrastinate and get your work done. “Work finds you working” as we always say.
If you’d like any help with any elements of SEO then reach out to us here at FEDWED and we can offer mentoring, guidance and help you get on the right track and speed up your SEO results.
