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Last Updated January 5 2024
A good photography website is a showcase for photos. Take inspiration from real-world photo galleries to design your digital photo gallery.
Notice how galleries are uncluttered and how they use whitespace to distinctly display each photo — replicate that.
More than any other type of website, a photography website should show rather than tell. Actually, to put it more accurately, a photography website should show and then tell if asked (through a click on Learn More link, for example). After all, you still need to share (and potential clients want to know) your story, your approach behind past photography projects, client testimonials, etc.
While a unique look and feel are important, exercise a bit of skepticism about photo galleries that are a little too unusual. For example, photo galleries that scroll horizontally (left to right) are unique but can be difficult for visitors to browse.
Above all else, your website needs to be usable — you don’t want to frustrate your visitors!
So how does a well-designed photography website look like? I went through hundreds of photographers’ websites. Below, I have shared some of the best photography websites for inspiration.
Tip: Use ← and → arrow keys to browse.
Scott Snyder is a product/object photographer based in Costa Mesa, California. His photography is clean-cut and top-of-the-line quality, as apparent from his minimal photography portfolio.
The professional photographer showcases his best photos with plenty of negative space on the homepage. You can find more about each photography project by clicking on the associated photo: He mentions his roles in the project, what he did to successfully complete the project, about the client, and more for each photo. It’s a lot of (well-written) text, but it follows the “show and then tell” principle I discussed in the intro.
Besides showcasing his work on the homepage, he has a separate Work page where he has displayed more of his works beautifully in a two-column layout.
Even the overall website experience is fantastic. Scott uses easily-readable fonts; the scrolling animations are on point; there’s a small ‘about me’ section; there are appropriately placed CTAs (Contact, Instagram); etc.
Almost Real lets you shop for fine art photography from a collective of creatives. It’s a beautiful site with a gallery feel — simple and austere with plenty of whitespaces.
If you plan to sell your photography as a product and not a service, Almost Real is an ecommerce store with a worth-replicating website design.
Important features of the website: All photos (i.e., products) are well-categorized, you can browse a particular artist’s work, you can click on the magnifying glass that appears on hover to see photos closely, etc.
Meiwen is a professional designer and photographer that features travel, people, editorial, and interior photography. He is also a designer, combining his many artistic talents to help his clients with branding, art direction, and more. If you plan on selling other complimentary services alongside your photography business, see Meiwen’s website.
His site is minimalistic. On the homepage, he has gone with two main things: a short bio and his photography and design portfolio with a few featured items. The minimal navigation bar helps visitors find more of his portfolio items, the contact form, or the primary social media profiles (Behance, Instagram, and Pinterest).
Potential clients interested in his photography click on “photographer” from the site title or navigate through the navigation bar. And they find this gorgeous four-column portfolio:
Levon Biss is a photographer in London. He has some authentic and gorgeous work with people, soccer, and insects. His work has been published in TIME magazine, The New York Times Magazine, National Geographic, Sports Illustrated, and many other respected international titles.
The website showcases featured photos uniquely yet in an obvious way as far as user experience is concerned. It doesn’t follow a fixed column and an image per column structure. Instead, the designer has fixed the container width and defined whitespace between two images — in simpler words, if the image fits side-by-side in the defined space, it will enter there; otherwise, it will go below.
Besides, the menu on the left side looks natural for navigation of other important pages. It hides all the menu items behind the icon, which is not ideal for desktop sites. However, it works beautifully in this case because Levon gets to showcase his work in a full-screen gallery.
Note : Levon also has a Shopify store on a different domain, where he sells his photos. He could have chosen Squarespace Ecommerce to sell on the same website, but he didn’t for some reason. See our Shopify vs Squarespace comparison to learn why Squarespace Commerce would have worked.
The website of Juno Photo & Film displays the photographer’s beautiful work nicely. Upon landing, the homepage hero section captivates with a selection of stunning wedding photos. These visuals are complemented by a muted color palette and refined typography, contributing to an elegant aura.
The design leans towards minimalism, ensuring that the photographs remain the focal point.
As you explore, you’ll find a straightforward navigation bar guiding you to various galleries. Each gallery, whether it features weddings, elopements, engagements, or the latest work, showcases the photographer’s knack for capturing moments with precision.
Adding a personal touch, an ‘About’ section delves into Juno’s journey and vision. For those wishing to connect, a user-friendly contact page facilitates easy inquiries. Juno also has a separate “Investment” page listing all his photography and videography packages.
Overall, the website provides an uninterrupted viewing experience on both desktop and mobile. Juno Photo & Film masterfully blends artistic display with user-centric design, making it a worthy wedding photography website to look up to.
Side Note: This website is built using one of our favorite third-party Squarespace photography templates, Apache by Brittamade.
Peter McKinnon is a photographer, videographer, and YouTuber from Toronto. His 5 million+ subscribers YouTube channel has some awesome tutorials that help others learn in a fun way. You can also purchase presets and buy gear from him.
His website is more of an influencer’s personal brand website where they sell their merchandise and less of a photography portfolio. You’ll notice how Peter is at the center of the website and not his work.
If you want to build a website for your personal brand and showing photography is secondary, then Peter’s website may be a good inspiration.
Andrew Heeley Photography caters to unconventional and alternative weddings. Yet, and smartly so, Andrew has kept the website’s look and feel conventional:
I specifically like two things on this website:
All in all, Andrew’s wedding photography website is a solid inspiration for your business site.
Sanz Lena is a fashion and beauty photographer based in Paris. He has been working since 2012 and has an impressive portfolio. There is also editorial work, still-life, and personal-based work in addition to his main focus.
His website is built using Format, one of the two best website builders for photography portfolios (the other one’s Squarespace).
The website uses a classic ready-to-use Format template and looks awesome. It defies the “have plenty of whitespace like in photo galleries” rule I mentioned earlier, but it works as the thumbnails contrast each other (Side note: You need to know the rules to break them.)
This website is the portfolio of Mel Volkman, a fine artist based in Maine. It features a clean and simple design, with a focus on showcasing her work and selling prints.
For the ecommerce store, she uses an Instagram profile-like three-column template. She also showcases her photography in the Journal, where the photos are stacked one below another.
Jonathan has worked with big brands like Heinz, The Coca Cola Company, Amazon, and small businesses like Ginger & White London cafe (whom we featured in our cafe & coffee shops website examples collection) over his 20+ years of professional photography career. You can categorize Jonathan as a food photographer., though he also has other stunning work.
His website is an excellent example of a photography website keeping photos front and center. Though, it could use some whitespace.
This website can be a good inspiration for photographers with huge portfolios (like Jonathan’s). Jonathan showcases thumbnails of different projects at the top. People can click the thumbnails to see all the work of that particular project.
Mike Kelley is a photographer located in California. You can view his excellent work that is focused on architecture, as well as his love for airplanes. He loves the world of art and design and merging these into his projects.
The website is clean, with the homepage divided into two columns. The main section showcases his works, whereas the left column helps visitors navigate different parts of the website - his work portfolio in a particular sector, the ecommerce store where he sells portraits, the about page, the contact page, etc.
Claire Byrne Photography offers an enchanting look into wedding moments filled with timeless romance. The website, designed with sophistication, draws visitors in with full-sized images on the homepage. Dreamy hues and a refined font enhance the allure of Claire’s photographic artistry.
Her galleries vividly showcase her ability to capture both candid emotions and scenic beauty. Simple navigation guides visitors through her expansive portfolio, touching testimonials, and comprehensive photography packages. In the ‘About’ section, Claire’s passion for capturing love stories shines.
Overall, the website stands as an invitation to a world where love stories are artfully immortalized, making Claire a prime choice for couples wanting lasting wedding memories.
Edzerza Gallery is a Canadian online art gallery that specializes in Inuit art. The website offers a wide range of Inuit art, from traditional carvings and sculptures to contemporary paintings and prints.
The website also features a blog, which offers news and information about Inuit art and culture. In addition, the Edzerza Gallery website provides educational resources, including a glossary of Inuit terms and a brief history of Inuit art.
Adrieana is a photographer raised in New Jersey. She has some sharp and breathtaking images of animals, people, and more. There are a lot of black and whites for a classic yet loud vibe. She also used to be an opera singer and learned a lot about what it meant to succeed from her years in that field.
She uses a slider to show her beautiful photography in the portfolio section. I love the images but am not a fan of the portfolio design choice here. It isn’t bad per se but looks very 2015ish — but it sure is a way to showcase photography in case you are looking for something that isn’t just photos stacked in columns.
Pedro moved from Brazil to the USA when he was 22 years old to further his education. His portfolio is an impressive tribute to his imagery skills. He is unique in his images in that they are not just beautiful but soulful and emotional as well.
His portfolio with images in three columns looks like an Instagram profile, which is great because a) it looks beautiful, and b) Instagram would have tested a lot of options and found a three-column design is the best.
Commercial photographer that provides images that stand for something and accompany important messages. You can check out his “press” tab on the website and see where his images have been featured and read articles about the photographer and his skills.
The horizontally scrolling portfolio looks a bit weird, but you’ll know that it scrolls horizontally anytime you enter the website.
Liller Photo is run by Lauren, who is based out of Chicago. She offers weddings, engagements, family sessions, and more. She has a fun yet soulful vibe and appreciates to her core what she gets to capture. Her Mom being an artist, taught and inspired her to follow her artistic ways.
The website homepage is a simple slideshow of her recent best work. I am not a big fan of sliders, but no one can deny showcasing full-size pictures right at the top will work wonders for a photographer’s website.
Lieben practices wedding photography, newborns, families, and more. Her gorgeous portraits have been featured in Bridal Magazines for other brides to swoon after. She books up sometimes up to 18 months in advance, so you’ll need to grab her services quickly!
I am not sure, but her beautiful photography might have featured on one of the wedding websites we came across.
Brandi is based in New York and works as a wedding photographer. What started as a side job as an assistant at a studio, became an eye-opener for her true passion in life. Now 7 years in, she can’t imagine doing anything else but wedding photography.
Jessica Chou is a photographer serving California. Her work has a documentary vibe to it, and she likes to take a raw approach to her practice. You can find images of some big names within her portrait portfolio.
The site uses a well-built Squarespace photography template that showcases her work in a single-column layout, which makes the photos pop and gives the website a minimal look.
Alex is living in Montreal and providing photography services, including headshots and editorial work.
The website uses a nice masonry gallery with ample whitespace as borders to display all gorgeous photos.
The website for Milkovi features a clean and modern design that is easy to navigate. The home page features a large header image and links to collections. The site has a simple color scheme of white, black, and gray, with accents of green and blue.
Carmencita Huter is a world-renowned photographer whose work has been featured in magazines and galleries all over the world. She is best known for her portraits of famous people, which have earned her a reputation as one of the most skilled portrait photographers in the business. In addition to her work in portraiture, Huter is also an accomplished landscape photographer, and her images of natural settings have been praised for their beauty and artistry.
Mathieu Stern was born in Paris and is now a professional photographer and filmmaker. He loves to experiment with vintage and new-age lens. His lens museum page is an awesome exploration of a huge variety of lens options. You can also see where his work has been featured and view his blog.
Grace is a photographer and a creative mind all around working on several different projects. She also works for Gingko Bioworks, using strategies based on Biology as opposed to production.
Will is based in London and has stellar commercial and editorial photography. Take a look at his portfolio and you’ll see all sorts of celebs in his lineup. He also offers classes and travels worldwide for his projects.
Kayla is an Arizona-based wedding photographer that hopes to push the boundaries with each and every couple she works with. She is willing and loves to travel for work and views it as a non-stop educational journey that’s a whole lot of fun!
Nagaoka is a videographer based in Tokyo. He offers freelance services in videography including independent films, hosting workshops, and more. You can check out his documentaries and view his commercial work in both video and photography via his site.
Amelia Allen is a photographer based in London. She has beautiful work in fashion, documentaries, and portraits. She started out as an assistant and has taken steps from there to become successful.
CW Management is a talent management organization for models and actors. They are well known and work closely with some big-name casting agencies from around the world.
Cassandra is a lifestyle and wedding photographer, also working in fashion and editorial. Her style is romantic and timeless, being featured in Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.
Brandon is a photographer based out of New York. Check out his portfolio and his instagram directly from this page. You can also view neat before and afters and learn about the gear he uses to achieve the look.
Julia and Gil are a team of photographers that want to capture any and all versions of two people in love. They travel and work worldwide and have over 7 years of experience. Look to them for presets to assist in your own editing in Photoshop and Lightroom.
Professional makeup artist that works in commercials, fashion, and special effects among others. Her portfolio is so full of variety from clean and fresh, to dark and scary. She has done some very unique makeup for music videos that really bring a theme to life.
J. La Plante Photo is a beautiful wedding photography website that mesmerizes visitors with its captivating aesthetics. Specializing in capturing love stories through the lens, this site takes viewers on a visual journey like no other.
The website’s use of parallax scrolling creates a stunning effect, immersing visitors in a dreamlike ambiance. As you scroll, images gracefully transition, revealing glimpses of heartfelt moments and tender emotions. The seamless and fluid navigation enhances the overall browsing experience, adding an element of enchantment to each click.
Beyond the mesmerizing visuals, J. La Plante Photo’s website proudly showcases a plethora of credentials, awards, testimonials, and all other “social proof” elements. These accolades serve as a testament to the photographer’s talent and recognition within the wedding photography industry.
The website’s design effortlessly balances elegance and simplicity, allowing the photography to take center stage. With a sophisticated color palette and tasteful typography, the site exudes refinement and sophistication, perfectly complementing the artistry of the captured moments.
Furthermore, the thoughtfully organized galleries allow visitors to explore a diverse array of weddings and love stories. Each gallery showcases the photographer’s ability to capture the uniqueness and beauty of every couple’s journey.
Sharon and Danilo Vasic are a married photography duo based in Europe. They both have experience in fashion and advertising, which overflows into their portfolio of weddings and editorial.
Adam is a wedding and portrait photographer in Birmingham, England. His work is a wide variety of vibes from mystical to fresh and romantic. You can visit his store and purchase presets for use in Lightroom and Photoshop.
Tomi is a 35-year-old photographer that has set out on a 5-year journey to travel the world by bicycle. You can view his glorious adventure on his site and read about why he started the journey. His connections to riding, nature, and photography are a fresh outlook on life!
Italian artist that lives in California full time. He is the founder of BACCALA Magazine. You can take a look at his photos of music, view his book that takes a look at the intimacy of relationships, and check out his general portfolio.
Marvin Lei practices photography in Long Island and NYC. You can contact him for all people-related photography. He also has a page for Lens Ball photography which is unlike anything we’ve seen! Check out his page on what gear he uses, and find the companies he works with for branding specifics.
Deanie Chen is based in Los Angeles. She focuses on portraits, lifestyle, sports, and live music. You’ll find it all when browsing through her site. She currently attends college as well and is furthering her education in addition to her art skills.
Yes, you need a website for your photography business. It acts as a center for people interested in your services. They'll visit it to see your previous works, know about you, read testimonials, etc.
I recommend you use either Squarespace or Format for photography portfolios. For an overall photography website that will have a blog, a store, etc., Squarespace is the best choice.
Niche photography website builders like Pixpa, Cargo Collective, and SmugMug can do a great job of showcasing photos and be cheaper, but a general-purpose website builder (that also has everything a photography website needs) like Squarespace is recommended for its range of features and scalability options.
Use a website builder like Squarespace or Format. They have gorgeous templates to showcase photography in the best light -- you can choose one of those templates, make a couple of changes, and create your photography website.
Must have: A typical photography website includes the photographer's best work, an about section, and a contact form or contact details.
Can have: You can (and should) add other things like testimonials, social media feed, print store, blog, etc.
You don't want to confuse the visitor or have them just scroll through your mesmerizing photos, so do not add more photos than necessary to showcase your skill. Remember: Less is more.
If you have a large portfolio, it's best to display your work in a funnel. First, show thumbnails of featured projects at the top and then show more photos of each project if the visitor clicks the thumbnail.
