Do you have all these awesome photos and want to share them with the world or your family and friends?
Do you want to start a photography project but need a place to store all your images?
Do you want to have your own corner of the internet to post your images with the stories to go with them?
It’s time to start a photography blog.
I know it may seem overwhelming to launch your own website but honestly, it isn’t as scary as it seems and it can be done in a matter of minutes. Yup, minutes.
*Some of the links below are affiliate links. I have used these products and love them.
4 Easy steps on how to start a photography blog
Step one: Pick a domain name.
This is one of the more challenging parts. If you have a name, then rock on. However, if you are like me, you may have an idea but struggle to come up with the name. I put it out on Facebook and asked for help. My mom and dad sent me a list of 30 ideas and as soon as I saw Click it Up a Notch, I knew that was it. So thanks Mom for naming my site.
You want to own your website name which means you need to buy your domain name which will end with a dot com instead of something like yourblogname.wordpress.com or yourblogname.blogspot.com. Keep it clean and easy to remember.
If in doubt, consider using your name.
Head over to Bluehost to check the availability of your domain name and purchase it.
Step two: Hosting your site
Once you buy your domain name you need to have it hosted. I highly suggest hosting with Bluehost. Their customer service has been amazing. Open 24/7 and the phones are answered by real people who don’t talk down to you when you don’t understand the computer terminology. I can’t tell you how many times I have called them to get their help. Amazing.
Fill out your information.
Choose one of the plans.
Step three: Set up your WordPress site
You are only a few clicks away from publishing your blog/website. Whoo hoo!
Or
Watch this quick and easy to follow video.
If this terrifies you, which it shouldn’t, you can always call Bluehost to have them walk you through it. I may or may not have done that myself. ha
Step four: Make it yours
One of the cool things about photography blogs is they are so unique and different. You want to choose a theme that will showcase your images how you want as well as help you accomplish what you want out of your site. There are lots of free templates out there but I have found great success with these paid templates.
Genesis Themes (Studio Press) – My site is currently designed by using a Genesis theme. It has been tweaked by a designer but there is a wide variety of themes to choose from. So many amazing clean and fresh looks.
Pro Photo Themes – I have purchased Pro Photo and was so impressed with how easy it is to customize. If you don’t want to customize there are some wonderful out of the box themes. These themes really know how to showcase your images. Plus, you have access to all sorts of ways to make your site look unique. I have been so impressed with their customer service and so many how-to videos. Use the code: CSLA3515 to get $10 off.
Now that you’ve got your blog down, help your children create one too so they can have a place to share their photography with family and friends. Read More: Photography for Kids
I’ve been hoping for more blog tips and tricks that tie into photography. I was just thinking that maybe even Clickin’ Moms forum should have a topic designated to blogging. Will definitely be looking out for more blog related posts. I’m always learning so much from your site! Thank you (yet again)!
Hey Jamie,
I love hearing feedback like that. Each year on my blog birthday I write blogging tips but maybe I will do more through out the year if there is an interest. Here are some – http://clickitupanotch.com/category/blogging/
Hi Jamie! Although the site isn’t photo-specific, Amy Andrews has the most amazing posts about getting started blogging: http://amylynnandrews.com/ (note: I am not affiliated to/with her in any way). I use her resources a lot as I work on my own sites.
Good luck!
HI Courtney! thank you so much for the great post, I’ve been thinking of creating a blog for a while but was busy with studying photography online and looking after our 8 months old baby boy :) In general thought that creating it from the scratch is a bit scary and I would need help but you make it sound really easy :) Here’s a dumb question – does it matter which country the website that hosts your blog belongs to? I live in the UK, can I use an American site?
That isn’t a dumb question, that is a great question! I wish I had the answer. I don’t think it matters but if I were you I would contact BlueHost. They have amazing customer support and would be able to help you.
P.S. I’d love to know the answer if you find out :)
Thanks Courtney! If I find the info, i’ll let you know :)
Thanks so much for the video and info. I set up a WordPress blog and the guy in the video said that the next video would teach more on the blog itself. Can you tell me how to find that video? Thx
If you click on the title of the video it will take you to the YouTube channel where you can view more videos :)
Great video :) another question – if I were to use BlueHost to host my site and then install WordPress on my account, would I have to pay a fee for using both of them or just BlueHost?
You would not need to pay to install WordPress. Once you have Bluehost set up, your WordPress site is included :)
Great! thank you Courtney :)
I started my blog a few years ago, and honestly I enjoy blogging as much as I enjoy photography! To me, they kind of go hand in hand! It’s easy and relaxing to me. We travel just about full time, with four kids, it’s not always easy to find time to keep up with it, but I try to post at least once a week. It’s a great way for our family to keep up with our kiddos!
Thanks for sharing so much info with us! Facebook was getting boring until I found you! lol
I agree! I would never have imagined I would love blogging as much as I love photography. Glad I could perk up your FB feed ;)
Hey I know this is off topic bbut I was wondering if you knew of
any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newesst twitter
updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like thijs for quite some time annd was
hopiung maybe you would hhave some experience with something like this.
Please let me know iif you run into anything. I ttruly enoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
Great tips. I would certainly suggest using wordpress as it’s simply the best when it comes to theming and customizing. Usually us photographers have pretty interesting requirements.
These are great tips. I see way too many people using photo hosting services as their main blog. It’s a good idea to keep your photo hosting separate from your website because a wordpress site is much more customizable. I have several sites one for blogging, one for photography and one for hosting. Like so, Jasmine LI Blog
While the tech side can be intimidating, I think most folks find it more diffuclt to make the time to take the photos for the blog and keep the posts up once your wordpress site is up. I know that I am having a good month if I can get 3 to 4 posts up that I am happy with.
Yes, finding the time and posting is challenge but if you create a great system it seems less daunting :)
I have one free Weebly blog. Can I just use that for my 365 photo postings? I’m not sure I’m ready to pay monthly fees, etc.
Sure, you can use whatever you want :)
Should the photos I post be edited first? I assume so…just don’t know how much editing is expected. I am very new to this.
Also, the edits I do on my iphone 5S do not get saved when I upload the photos to my computer. This is fairly new and very frustrating!
It is completely up to you if you want to edit them first. I edit all my images prior to uploading them onto my website. If you want the edits you do on an iPhone in an editing app to be saved when you upload to your computer be sure to save them on your phone with the edits :)
Ah the joy of starting a photography blog, I don’t know what I would do without mine :)
A few years ago I did a 365 project, and just kept it on Google’s Picasa site. I just started a new blog, and i’m trying the same type of thing but just uploading whenever I want, and i’m trying my hand at blogging. if anyone has any tips, feel free to mozy on over and let me know what I should change or how to improve: https://unearthanddiscover.wordpress.com/
It was really informative.
Thank you for your informative post..
That’s a great tutorial about a photography blog!
In reality, the main elements of the photography blog is the actual quality of the photo. If you can collect or capture good photos, in then you have a nice blog. A perfect photo can change your business or blog for the better. I think you will see even more ideas about photography /product photography from:
http://braiindums.photography/product-photography
That’s a great tutorial about a photography blog!
In reality, the main elements of the photography blog is the actual quality of the photo. If you can collect or capture good photos, in then you have a nice blog. A perfect photo can change your business or blog for the better. I think you will see even more ideas about photography /product photography from:
http://braindums.photography/product-photography
That’s a great tutorial about a photography blog!
In reality, the main elements of the photography blog is the actual quality of the photo. If you can collect or capture good photos, in then you have a nice blog. A perfect photo can change your business or blog for the better. I think you will see even more ideas about photography /product photography from:
http://briandums.photography/product-photography
That’s a great tutorial about a photography blog!
In reality, the main elements of the photography blog is the actual quality of the photo. If you can collect or capture good photos, in then you have a nice blog. A perfect photo can change your business or blog for the better. I think you will see even more ideas about photography /product photography from:
http://briandumas.photography/product-photography
How difficult is to customize a WordPress site for a newbie???
Thank you for sharing this information.
Great article on how to start photography blog. I have my own photo business, this will help me a lot to start my own blog, but my concern is what plug ins to add in order to increase visibility on search engine. Thanks again.
I use Yoast to help me with SEO.
Thank you for this great post
essay Numerous Internet sources have sample personal statements that you can look over.
Second, professors expect that the papers are original and plagiarism free.
Students must make sure that they are getting a quality work.
thank you
http://limage.ir
Although I’m no photographer, I like to think that I have an eye for great shots. Please visit my blog to see if you agree. http://entryleveljobscam.blogspot.com/
Great blog thank you for sharing it!
There are certainly a lot of details like that to take into consideration. That is a great point to bring up. I offer the thoughts above as general inspiration but clearly there are questions like the one you bring up where the most important thing will be working in honest good faith. I don?t know if best practices have emerged around things like that, but I am sure that your job is clearly identified as a fair game. Both boys and girls feel the impact of just a moment?s pleasure, for the rest of their lives.
ifreedownloadings.com/download-latest-version-photodex-proshow-gold/
Wedding Photography is a best part of couple’s moment in the marriage, their wedding montage, moments and special occasions are made and collased in a frame of beautiful albums.
Check out the pre wedding photos that are beautifully captured by our photographers @
http://isnapphotography.sg/
Wedding Photographer Melbourne – As Tree Photo, Video Studio, we have the best wedding photographers in Melbourne who can bring high-quality photography service. To learn more about your options about wedding photography in Melbourne, please our website https://www.treephotovideo.net.au/ contact us on 0401 539 338.
Super practical advice man, thanks for sharing. I would love to hear more on the domain name and the process it takes. https://www.bestpicturenow.com
This is an informative blog about photographer, Thanks. Hope you share new informative blogs. I know one best website for photographer
Atum – Dubai Film Production Company and Digital Video Content Agency
Great information for starting the photography and its best tutorial for I hope thanks for sharing information keep posting
“https://hamsalekhaphotography”=”Wedding Photography Services in Vijayawada”>Wedding Photography Services in Vijayawada