Want to show up on Google without burning out? These underrated tools make it easier than you think.

When most wedding photographers hear “SEO,” their eyes glaze over. It feels techy, confusing, and like one more thing to add to your never-ending to-do list.

But here’s the thing: SEO doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, some of the best visibility tools are already sitting in your business—you’re just not using them strategically yet.

This post is your guide to four overlooked, easy-to-implement SEO tools that can help you get found online without posting every day or living in your inbox.

Let’s make your website work for you, not just look pretty.

---

1. Google Search Console (It’s Free and Powerful)

If you only try one thing from this blog—let it be this.

Google Search Console is a free tool that shows:

• What search terms people are using to find you
• Which pages are ranking (and which aren’t)
• Your average position in Google results
• What pages have indexing issues

Why photographers overlook it:
It feels technical. But once it’s set up, it becomes one of the clearest windows into how Google sees your site.

How to use it:

• Look at your Queries tab to see what keywords are already bringing traffic to your site
• Check your Pages tab to see which blog posts are ranking
• Use that data to create more of what’s working—and improve what’s not

We use Google Search Console in every SEO client project. It helps us shape smarter blog strategies, fix low-performing pages, and spot hidden opportunities photographers didn’t know they had.

Want to see how? This post walks through exactly what we look for.

---

2. Internal Linking (The Easiest SEO Boost You’re Ignoring)

If your blog posts are sitting alone like an island, Google has a harder time understanding what your site is about.

That’s where internal linking comes in.

It means linking one blog post to another, or from a blog post to your services page, or from your homepage to a core location page.

Why it works:

• It helps Google crawl your site more effectively
• It keeps visitors on your site longer (which boosts SEO)
• It builds authority for your most important pages

Examples:

• Link your real wedding blogs to your “Wedding Photography” service page
• Link planning tips to related galleries
• Link older posts into newer posts (not just the other way around!)

We wrote a full post on how to do this strategically here:
👉 Why Internal Linking Boosts Your Traffic + Rankings

---

3. Image SEO (Alt Text, Titles, and Filenames—Oh My)

Your photos are stunning—but if Google can’t read them, they won’t help you rank.

Image SEO is one of the most overlooked tools in a photographer’s arsenal.

Quick fixes that make a big impact:

• Rename your image files before uploading (ex: charleston-elopement-rainy-day.jpg)
• Add descriptive alt text that includes keywords and location
• Compress images to avoid slow site speed (Google penalizes slow sites)

Alt text also helps LLMs like ChatGPT understand your brand when it scrapes content for recommendations or summaries.

Here’s an example:
Instead of alt text that says: Bride smiling
Try: Bride smiling during her fall wedding at Lowndes Grove, captured by Charleston wedding photographer known for candid, emotional storytelling.

We break this down more in this post about what Google actually looks at.

---

4. Pinterest (Yes—It’s an SEO Tool, Not Just a Mood Board)

This one might surprise you. Pinterest isn’t just for inspiration—it’s actually a visual search engine that plays very well with Google.

Why Pinterest matters for SEO:

• Pins are indexed by Google
• Pin descriptions + board titles = keyword gold
• A blog post with 3–5 pins circulating on Pinterest = passive traffic for months

Important note:
At North+South, we don’t offer Pinterest management. But we do teach our clients how to repurpose their blog content into Pinterest-friendly posts that continue driving traffic long after they hit publish.

If you want to go deeper, our Pinterest SEO for Photographers blog is one of the most-read posts on our entire site.

---

Bonus: Your Blog = The Most Powerful SEO Tool You Own

All of the tools above are important, but your blog is where they all come together.

Blogging lets you:

• Use strategic keywords
• Add internal links
• Include SEO-friendly images
• Repurpose content on Pinterest
• Train both Google and ChatGPT to associate your name with specific services, locations, and style

If you’re not blogging because you don’t know where to start, this post gives you plug-and-play ideas.

And if you’re not blogging because you don’t have time—we do it for you. Here’s how.

---

Final Thoughts: SEO Doesn’t Have to Be a Mystery—It Just Needs a Map

These tools aren’t secret. They’re just overlooked.

By using Google Search Console, image alt text, internal links, and a little Pinterest magic, you can build real visibility without burning out.

You don’t have to do all of this overnight. Start with the easiest one. Add a habit. Let the momentum build.

And if you ever want someone to do it with you—or for you—we’re right here.

Reach out here or keep exploring the blog for more strategy that actually works.