You know it’s a good episode when even your own husbands change their minds about SEO. 😉

We recently had the honor of joining Autumn + Eddie on their podcast, Engaged in Chaos, where we talked about all things wedding photographer visibility — the unsexy magic of SEO, the rising power of AI, and how wedding pros can stop spinning their wheels and start getting found online (even while they’re off shooting a wedding or sipping a marg).

If you’re a wedding photographer who’s ever Googled “do I really need SEO?” or “why isn’t anyone finding my site?” — this one’s for you.

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Why We Started North+South (And Why SEO Wasn’t the First Plan)

Like we shared on the podcast, our story didn’t start with a business plan — it started with a DM, a shared love of aesthetic websites, and one Charleston bar shoot that changed everything. We’re from opposite sides of the map (Kim’s from Canada, Caroline’s from South Carolina), and our agency name reflects that.

But what really brought us together? The gap we saw between insanely talented photographers and the strategy it takes to get seen.

Autumn said it best:

“I cared more about how my website looked than what it said. But you guys taught me what was actually missing — and now I’m showing up on Google, getting inquiries, and booking real clients.”

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Our Take on SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

We broke down SEO for photographers in real-talk terms:

• SEO = getting found while you’re not online.
• It’s what powers Google, and now also AI tools like ChatGPT + Gemini.
• It’s not just about keywords — it’s about structure, consistency, and visibility.

We talked about H1 tags (think: headlines Google can understand), focus keywords (“Charleston candid wedding photographer” = gold), and the most common mistakes we see photographers make — like relying on pretty images without any supporting copy or not owning a real domain name.

🛑 Biggest Red Flags we called out:

• Not owning your domain (e.g. [yourname].pixieset.com = bad news)
• Not using H1 and H2 tags properly
• No real portfolio (only styled shoots)
• No pricing transparency on your site

Autumn’s response? “It sounds so obvious now… but I had no idea. I was doing all of that.”

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Why Blogging Still Matters (Even in 2025)

Blogging isn’t dead — it’s actually one of the only ways to signal to Google + AI that you’re a relevant, trusted expert.

We shared how blogs help you:
✔️ Rank for new keywords
✔️ Build trust with potential clients
✔️ Showcase your client experience
✔️ Drive backlinks + support vendors
✔️ Signal to AI engines that you’re active and human

Autumn even shared how she started sending a HoneyBook questionnaire to couples after working with us, so she could write better blog stories with their love story, vendor list, and keywords. That’s SEO strategy in action.

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Enter AIO + LEO: The New Wave of Visibility

🎧 One of our favorite moments? When Autumn asked how we got recommended by ChatGPT… and we told her:

“We didn’t pay for it. We didn’t game the system. ChatGPT just found us — and sent us a lead. That’s when we realized SEO is just the beginning. This is the new frontier.”

That one client turned into a complete strategy shift for us. We now build websites, branding, and content not just for Google… but for AI. That’s where AIO (AI Optimization) and LEO (LLM Engine Optimization) come in. TL;DR?

• SEO = traditional search (Google)
• AIO = AI search visibility (ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude)
• LEO = how to train those AI tools to recommend you specifically

If you’re only optimizing for Google, you’re already behind. Brides and grooms are now asking ChatGPT things like:

“Find me a light and airy wedding photographer in Charleston under $5K.”

And if you haven’t trained AI to recognize you? You’re invisible.

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Our Favorite Tools + Tips We Mentioned:

• Ubersuggest for keyword research
• Yoast SEO for blog optimization (Autumn loved this!)
• Showit for creative freedom (with a domain you own)
• Wix Studio for automation, email, + analytics
• ChatGPT for blog outlines + strategy brainstorming
• Google My Business updates for local visibility

Bonus tip: Ask your clients to leave Google reviews with your business name + services mentioned. That adds real SEO weight (and helps ChatGPT find you, too).

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Want Help With This? Get on the Rankings to Revenue Waitlist

We teased this in the episode — but here’s the full scoop: our signature SEO course, Rankings to Revenue, is almost ready to launch.

It’s designed specifically for wedding photographers and creative business owners who want to get found without burning out. Inside, we’re covering:

📍 Keyword research (made easy)
📍 Blogging that actually converts
📍 Google My Business for photographers
📍 AI search visibility (AIO + LEO strategies)
📍 Platform-by-platform optimization tips
📍 The full SEO game plan for real results

If you’re tired of posting and praying — and ready for a strategy that works while you sleep — join the waitlist here.

You’ll be the first to know when it drops.

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Listen to the Full Episode

🎙️ Engaged in Chaos: SEO, AIO, LEO — and Getting Found Without Burnout
Hosted by Autumn + Eddie
Featuring: Caroline + Kim of North+South Agency
(Duration: ~45 minutes)

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Final Thoughts: Strategy Over Aesthetics (Always)

If there’s one thing we hope everyone took away from this episode, it’s this:

✨ A pretty website might impress your peers. But a strategic one books your dream clients ✨

Want help making that shift? We’re here for you — with blogs, with strategy, and with a waitlist full of goodness coming your way.