The most common mistakes I see on photographers’ websites (and how to fix them)

Hi ,

after so many years at Arcadina, I’ve seen thousands of photographers’ websites. And one thing never changes: most of them make the same mistakes, especially early on.
Small things, yes — but they can make you lose clients without even noticing.

This article isn’t about pointing fingers — it’s about helping you avoid the kind of issues we’ve all made at some point. Because having a nice-looking website is no longer enough. It needs to work. It needs to connect. It needs to convert.

Here are the most common mistakes I see — and how to fix them quickly and easily.

❌ 1. Not updating your portfolio (or blog)

I’ve seen beautifully designed sites… with the latest photos from 2021. And visitors can’t help but wonder: is this photographer still working?

The same goes for blogs: if you’re not posting regularly, it’s better to hide the publication date of your posts. That way, your content won’t seem outdated even if it’s still relevant.

The fix: set aside a day each month to upload your best recent shoots — and, if you can, a quick blog post too. You don’t need to post every week, just show that you’re active.

❌ 2. A slow site due to heavy images

This one’s a classic: uploading ultra-HD photos without optimization leads to slow loading times… and visitors leaving before they see anything.

With Arcadina, that won’t happen. Every image you upload is automatically optimized for the web, keeping excellent quality and fast loading — both in portfolio galleries and private client galleries.

❌ 3. No clear call to action

A site with no calls to action is like a shop window with no door. Many photographers showcase their work… but don’t invite visitors to contact, book, or ask questions.

Arcadina makes it easy:

Enable a booking calendar with online payments, so clients can choose a date and pay right away.

Create custom contact forms, tailored to each type of session.

Use our WhatsApp Business module, with direct chat from your site and ready-made templates to respond fast.

❌ 4. Not guiding the visitor from the start

A beautiful site is good. But if it doesn’t guide the visitor… you’re losing opportunities.

With Arcadina you can:

• Use a web cover page (like Transparent, Big, Dream, or Elegant) with custom buttons that take users where you want them: booking, prices, seasonal offers, etc.
• Add pop-up announcements that appear as soon as someone enters your site — perfect for offers or important updates.
• Place call-to-action buttons on every page, like “Book your session”, “Request a quote”, or “Check availability”.

❌ 5. Not optimized for mobile

Over 70% of visits come from mobile devices. And yet, many websites still force users to zoom in or struggle with menus.

With Arcadina, your site is fully responsive, so your work looks perfect on every screen — smartphone, tablet or desktop.

❌ 6. A website with no personality

I sometimes see websites that are technically excellent — good design, clear structure… but they could belong to anyone. There’s nothing personal.

Your website needs to speak for you. Tell your story. Reflect your style and the way you work. Beautiful images alone aren’t enough — you have to connect.

Don’t be afraid to write in your own words, to show who you are. In the end, clients aren’t just looking for a photographer — they’re looking for someone they can trust.

✅ The best part? All of this can be fixed

Websites don’t need to be perfect on day one. With small improvements, you can transform the way yours performs.

If it’s been a while since you looked at your website through your client’s eyes… now is a great time.

Talk soon,
Félix