Setup a photographer blog in 2021 is quite an easy process, there are a lot of useful platforms that will help you achieve your goal. Is an easy job. But...don't trust who says is "so easy"! Sure, you can just create a blog, upload your photos, and think you're done. But this will be like being a leaf in the forest. Nobody will notice you, you'll have just a link to add in your bio. Maybe is this your purpose. And you are right.
If you want to be a pro photographer, you must have an online portfolio where to show your work. But, if you want to compete in the photographer's world, if you want to stand over the best ones, you need also to invest time and money in it. So, let's go in order:
How to setup a simple free photographer blog
First, you need a platform. Is plenty of useful services out there:
Most famous are:
- Wordpress
- Wix
- Ionos
Basically, for free you will useful get:
- Limited space for uploading photos (that's not a big deal for beginners)
- Third level subdomain (your website url will be like [mysupername].[mygreatprovider].com)
- Limited bandwidth (a limit to the max number of visitors fro month)
Is worth switching to a professional service?
Depends. Professional services are expensive. You can invest money on it, but like for all investments, it will be a good idea to write a business plan before. Otherwise, it could be just a waste of money.
How much time I have to spend on improving my website?
If you think that investing money would be enough, you are way too optimistic. Without investing your time in it, nobody will notice you. And more time you invest, the more you'll have in return.
How to sell photos
If you think your photos are good enough, you should setup an ecommerce for photographers, and try to sell them
- Shopify
- Photoshelter
- Squarespace
- Ionos
- Squareup
- SmugMug
Expect to pay around a minimum $10/m, that is not too much if you really sell your photos!
The problem now it will be how to drive users to your website and convince them to buy your photos?
Who will buy my photos?
Here again, you have 2 options:
Spend money
Invest your money in:
- Ads
- Social marketing
Invest time
Invest your time in:
- Social activities
- Guest posting
