Photography Link Building

Photography Link Building: The Guide to Boost Website Authority and Presence

If you’re a photographer running your own studio for maternity, newborn, family, wedding, vacation, lifestyle, or fashion photo sessions, this page is for you. You’ve spent hours editing photos, styling shoots, crafting blog posts, uploading galleries, and tweaking your “About Me” section until it sounds just right. And still…you're ranking on page 3 or nowhere at all.

The single most powerful strategy that 95% of photographers aren’t doing right or aren’t doing at all is Link building, one of the core pillars of effective Photography SEO Services.

Yes, backlinks. They’re how Google decides who’s worth showing and who gets buried under page 5. You don’t need to be a tech genius to build them. You just need the right online marketing strategy. A strategy made for photographers like you.

So whether you're booking clients in a small town or photographing love stories in Paris, this is the guide that gets you seen by Google, by couples, by families, and by clients who are already searching for what you offer.

At Media Search Group, this is exactly what we specialize in – photography link building services in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Dallas, Charleston, and other locations in and outside the US. We help photographers create quality backlinks that strengthen and widen their online presence. We have:

• 13+ years of experience
• Expertise in photography link building
• In-house team of 60+ SEO experts
• 100% tailored services
• Caters to all kinds of photographers

Are you ready to strengthen your online presence as a photographer?

Get a proposal now

What Do Backlinks Mean in Photography SEO?

A backlink is when another website links to your website. It could be:

• A wedding planner linking to your gallery of their couple.
• A photography blog featuring your styled shoot.
• A local directory listing your services and linking to your homepage.
• A vendor giving you credit under their blog post.
• A magazine featuring your family portrait work and linking back.

Google sees those links as votes, and it listens.

Now multiply that trust. Imagine 20, 50, even 100 high-quality, relevant websites pointing to yours. That’s how top photographers dominate search rankings.

That’s how you go from being invisible online to showing up in search results for potential clients.

Dofollow vs. Nofollow: Which Ones Matter for Photographers?

There are two types of links you’ll hear about:

Dofollow links

These links pass SEO value (also called “link juice”) to your site. Google counts these as a full vote of trust. These are what help you climb rankings.

Nofollow links

These links tell Google not to count them in the same way. You might find these on some directories, social media profiles, or blog comments.

You need a natural mix of both. Google doesn’t trust websites that only have dofollow links from a handful of SEO blogs. That looks suspicious. What does Google love? A natural link profile that is built from real relationships, real mentions, and real features.

That means links from:

• Wedding blogs
• Vendor sites
• Local business directories
• Community event pages
• Magazines
• Forums
• Photography contests
• Venue profiles

And when you work with someone who understands link building for photographers, not just generic SEO? You get links that matter.

Why Do Photographers Need Backlinks?

Most photographers were never taught SEO, let alone link building. But the ones who learn it or partner with a photography link building company that knows it inside out, these links start becoming the photographer clients find first.

1. Backlinks Improve Your Domain Authority (DA)

Domain Authority is a score (from 1 to 100) that predicts how well your website will rank on search engines.

More backlinks from trusted sites = higher DA.

It’s like your online reputation score, and Google watches it closely. If your competitor has a DA of 40 and you have 9, guess who’s getting the traffic? The mom looking for a maternity photographer isn’t scrolling to page 5 to find your beautiful work. She’s clicking the top result.

So how do you raise your DA? Backlinks from relevant, real sites, and that’s how you build digital authority.

2. Get Found on Google Without Paid Photography Service Ads

Let’s say you’re a wedding photographer in Dallas. Couples are searching for “Dallas wedding photographer” online. But you’re not on the first page. Backlinks help Google understand that your site is:

• Legit
• Trusted
• Relevant to the search

And that means? You start showing up on page #1 where the ready-to-book clients are.

More backlinks → more visibility → more clicks → more traffic → more bookings.

All without running ads, dancing on TikTok, or learning complicated funnels.

3. Build Credibility and Trust

Here’s what a backlink says about you to a future client:

• “This photographer was featured in a top wedding blog.”
• “This family photographer is listed in the local parent directory.”
• “This fashion photographer is published on a style magazine’s site.”
• “This newborn photographer is linked by the hospital’s welcome packet.”

It’s third-party trust. Before they ever reach out, they already see you as a professional. The expert. The one who’s been vetted.

You’re no longer trying to “sell yourself.” The backlinks already did it for you.

4. Drive Traffic from Other Sites — Not Just Google

One more thing photographers often forget is that backlinks don’t just help with SEO. They bring real people to your website. Let’s say your styled shoot is featured on a wedding blog.

That blog has traffic. People read it. People click the link to your site.

Some of them fall in love with your work and reach out. Just like that. It’s not just blogs where they find your links, they could be:

• Vendor pages
• Venue directories
• Event features
• Photography awards
• Community pages

Each link is a path leading back to your business. The more doors you open, the more clients might walk through.

How Many Backlinks Do Photographers Need?

It depends on competition and location. If you’re a wedding photographer in New York City, you’re not just competing with other great photographers. You’re also competing with SEO agencies, magazines, and giant directories.

If you’re a newborn photographer in Boise or a family photographer in suburban Virginia, you may not need hundreds of backlinks to rank. You might only need 20–30 high-quality ones to dominate your area.

The key is: Know your competition, then out-link them.

You don’t have to be the best in the world. Just better than the photographers in your niche and location!

Quality > Quantity (Always)

For National or Destination Photography Brands

You’ll want 75+ strong backlinks and consistent link building every month.

You don’t need to do this all at once. Link building is a long game, and every link stacks on the last.

Even adding 3-5 links per month can dramatically shift your rankings over time.

How to Get Quality Backlinks for Photography Websites?

Backlinks are only as powerful as the sites they come from. Not all links help you rank. Some can hurt your ranking and visibility. So when it comes to link building, it is important to earn links that matter.

Focus on Relevance and Trustworthiness

Google knows whether a link makes sense or not.

For example:

• A link from a wedding blog if you’re a wedding photographer? Matters
• A link from your local chamber of commerce if you shoot in that area? Matters
• A link from an overseas gaming site? Doesn’t matter

The best backlinks are where your ideal clients already are.

The more relevant and trustworthy the site, the more weight that link carries.

Avoid Spammy Sites and Shady Link Exchanges

Some people will promise you “100 backlinks in 2 days” for $50. Please run. That’s like asking someone to deliver 500 wedding photos edited in 30 minutes. It’s a scam, and worse, it can destroy your rankings.

Google knows when links are coming from shady sources. If they detect unnatural link patterns, your site can get penalized. That means disappearing from search results entirely.

Diversify Your Backlink Sources

You want a natural mix of backlinks from different places, just like a healthy investment portfolio. That means getting links from local directories, event vendors, bridal magazines, parenting blogs, venue websites, photographer associations, etc.

When your link profile is diverse and clean, Google sees you as a credible, well-connected business, and it rewards you with better rankings.

Easy Backlink Ideas for Photographers

Here are simple backlink wins every photographer can use, whether you’re just getting started or looking to level up.

Free & Paid Directories

Submit your site to:

• Google Business Profile
• Yelp
• Bing Places
• WeddingWire
• The Knot
• Zola
• Fearless Photographers
• Local chamber of commerce
• Local parenting blogs or event sites

These links are low-hanging fruit, and they send local signals to Google that help you rank in your area.

Get Credit for Existing Photos

Ever see your photo on a vendor’s site or blog… with no link? Time to fix that. Reach out politely and say:

“Hey! I’m so glad you used one of my images. Would you mind linking back to my site for credit?”

Most vendors are happy to do it and it instantly turns a missed opportunity into a valuable backlink.

Social Media Profiles

Every social platform you use is a backlink opportunity. Make sure your website is linked from:

• Instagram bio
• Facebook business page
• Pinterest profile
• TikTok bio
• YouTube channel
• LinkedIn profile

They’re not the most powerful backlinks, but they’re easy and help build a strong digital footprint.

Real Weddings & Collaborations

Work with vendors? Photograph a real wedding? Encourage couples, florists, venues, and planners to link to your site when sharing your work.

They benefit by showcasing gorgeous photos, and you benefit by getting traffic and a relevant backlink.

Pro tip: Include this in your vendor follow-up email after a wedding or event.

Feature Your Work in Blogs and Magazines

Submit your best work to:

• Style Me Pretty
• Junebug Weddings
• Green Wedding Shoes
• The Fount Collective
• LooksLikeFilm
• Local lifestyle blogs

If accepted, they’ll credit you with a backlink and your work gets seen by thousands of potential clients.

That’s authority and exposure in one move.

Wedding Directories (Yes, They Still Work)

These aren’t just for old-school brides. WeddingWire, The Knot, and Zola all have high domain authority, and if your profile includes a backlink, it’s one more door leading back to your site.

Plus, many couples use them like search engines.

If you’re not there, someone else is. No matter where you’re starting, these ideas can get the ball rolling, and once it starts, you can build momentum faster.

Medium-Difficulty Backlink Ideas for Photographers

These backlink strategies take a bit more effort, but they also carry higher authority and greater SEO payoff. If you’re ready to step up from the basics, these will help yield results better and faster.

Guest Posting

Got tips for posing couples? Thoughts on natural light? A story about a rainstorm wedding that turned out dreamy? Write it. Wedding blogs, local magazines, and even SEO-focused photography sites are always looking for quality content. If you write a useful article, they’ll happily link to your site as the expert.

Link Exchanges with Vendors

Team up with businesses like florists, venues, dress shops, cake designers, event planners, etc.

Here’s the trick: offer to feature them first. Write a vendor spotlight post or a blog about a shared wedding, and then let them know it’s live. They’ll often return the favor with a link back. You both win. (And Google notices).

Enter Photography Contests & Awards

Many award sites and contest platforms link to winning portfolios, and those are very powerful backlinks. You can also proudly feature the badge on your site for extra trust.

Partner with Other Photographers

Collaborate on styled shoots, write guest blogs for each other, share gear tips, and link to each other’s sites, especially if you cover different specialties or markets.

Just keep it natural and relevant, and you’ll both benefit.

What About Internal Linking for Photography Websites?

You know how helpful it is when a venue has clear signs pointing guests where to go? That’s exactly what internal linking does for your website. And it helps Google, too.

Internal Links Mean Better Navigation, SEO, and Conversions

Linking your blog posts and service pages together:

• Keeps visitors on your site longer
• Helps clients find related content
• Tells search engines which pages are most important

If you have a page for “Maternity Photography in [City],” every related blog post should link to it and vice versa.

That reinforces its authority, helps it rank, and gets more eyeballs on your booking page.

How to Ask for Backlinks (The Right Way)?

This is where many photographers freeze up, but it doesn’t have to be awkward. Think of it as relationship-building, not begging. When you approach it with value and intention, people are happy to help.

Step 1: Identify Good Link Opportunities

Look for:

• Blogs that feature photographers
• Vendors you’ve worked with
• Past clients or couples with blogs
• Local event planners or creatives
• Any site that has already mentioned you without linking

Use tools like Google Alerts, Ahrefs, or even just a quick site search (site:example.com "YourName") to find unlinked mentions.

Step 2: Personalize Your Outreach

Don’t send a cold, generic message for outreach. Mention something specific, like:

• A wedding you collaborated on
• A blog post they wrote that you enjoyed
• How you plan to send traffic back their way too

A little warmth goes a long way.

Step 3: Offer Value First

Make it easy to say “yes.” Here’s what you can offer:

• Free photos from a shared event
• A shoutout or blog mention on your site
• A well-written guest post they don’t have to edit

Pro tip: Always include your full name and website URL to make it easy to credit you correctly.

Sample Outreach Template

Here’s a simple, friendly message you can customize:

Subject: Loved working together for [Event name] - quick favor?

Hey [Name],

I just finished editing the gallery from [Event Name], and your setup looked amazing. I’m about to share a blog post featuring the day and would love to include a link to your site.

Would you mind linking back to my photography page as well if you share it? Here’s the URL: [yourwebsite.com]

It helps me reach more couples like [Bride + Groom] and I’d be happy to return the favor!

Thanks,
[Your Name]
[Your Website]

Small effort. Big impact.

How Long Until Backlinks Help Your Rankings?

You’ve built a few links. You’re refreshing Google every hour. But SEO is more like planting seeds, not flipping switches.

Once a site links to you, Google still has to:

• Find the link
• Crawl the page
• Reevaluate your site
• Adjust search rankings

That can take a few days to a few weeks, depending on the site’s crawl frequency.

You might notice small keyword bumps or referral traffic within 30–60 days.

As you earn more high-quality backlinks consistently, Google starts to trust your site more.

That’s when you start to climb rankings, win featured snippets, and dominate local searches.

Backlinks compound over time. Each one adds weight to your site’s authority, and the effect snowballs.

Boost Your Photography Site Authority with Strategic Link Building and SEO Support

Link Building helps photographers gain online credibility and rank higher by earning quality backlinks from trusted sources. But to unlock its full potential, it should be paired with a comprehensive SEO strategy. Start by identifying the right opportunities through targeted Keyword Research. Improve your local discoverability with Hyper-Local SEO and accurate Photography GBP Optimization for map listings. Ensure your site is fast, secure, and crawl-friendly with proper Technical SEO. Support your backlink strategy with engaging, shareable content using Content Marketing tailored to your photography niche.

Let Experts Handle Photography Link Building for You

Want to boost your photography website’s authority and drive more bookings with a proven link building strategy?

Get in touch with Media Search Group as we've helped 40+ photographers across the U.S. and Canada grow their traffic and search rankings through ethical, effective link-building services tailored to the photography industry.

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