The Global Photography market is expected to witness a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.0%, leading to a projected market value of $52,045.8 million by 2026, up from $38,934.8 million in 2021.
Things like Shopify and WordPress are designed to accommodate sort of … ANY website; if enough time and effort were put into them, they may work great.
But, they are not specially tailored towards photographers, therefore I won’t be covering them in this article.
@Author
Oh, I see …
@Reader
If you’re looking for sort of a “General” website builder … then I’ve those in my other blog post.
But since we’re talking about Photography Website Builders, I’ll stick to only those that I think are the perfect fit.
So here are 7 of the most 🔥 website builders for photographers like you. (Some of these I’ve used personally, and some are used by the greatest photographers out there).
“If a Website Is #Wack, its Services Will Probably Be Just as Bad”!
1. Squarespace
Let’s start with the obvious.
Not only can’t I just NOT include Squarespace in this list, but I also found it to be one of the more reliable options out there.
Squarespace is used for about 13% of websites where we know what system they’re using.
Sounds small compared to WordPress, which runs a lot of sites, like maybe half or more, but hey, that’s still a big chunk of the whole internet! 😶🌫️
So I went to Squarespace and signed up just to check how many minutes it would take me to get to the point where I could upload my precious images.
“Get Started“ > “What’s your site about?”
I chose “Photography” > “What are your top goals?”
I chose “Showcase work/expertise“.
And then Squarespace gives you two options: “start with a template” or “start from scratch”. I chose to Start with a Template.
And Boom!😁
@Author
Wait that’s it?
@Reader
In a matter of 3 clicks in under 10 seconds, it’s already letting me choose portfolio templates.
This is the kind of workflow that ANYONE will be able to use. And the results aren’t too shabby at all.
I mean just look at this:
@Author
They all look professional.
@Reader
And yes you get unlimited storage, yes it’s mobile responsive and all that jazz.
Oh, and did I mention it’s a drag-and-drop builder?
Features
Professional Templates. Portfolios, blogs, ecom, you name it …
No-code Website Builde. Customize your portfolio, even without any coding experience.
Mobile Optimization. All Squarespace templates are mobile-responsive from the get-go.
SEO Tools. They also have an SEO Checklist (I thought it would be helpful).
Analytics. Understand your website’s performance and visitor behavior.
Integrations. Email newsletter, social media, payment gateways, and more.
Unique Features
Squarespace Extensions. Third-party services like shipping and fulfillment.
Blogging Tools. Schedule posts, add tags and categories, share on socials, enable comments.
Social Media Integration. Automatically push website updates to social media channels!
I mean there is even more but I don’t have all day, you can go check them all out.
What’s Missing?
While Squarespace does offer integrations with some third-party tools, the options are limited compared to platforms like WordPress, which have thousands of plugins available. And missing autosave feature in their editor.
I think that’s fair – given the array of features.
A lot of Successful Photographers actually do use this platform.
Noe Dewitt, a New York-based photographer, has used Squarespace for his portfolio website. His clients include high-profile brands like Tory Burch, The New Yorker, and Travel + Leisure.
Well, it is my second-best portfolio builder, not because it’s already being used by 2M+ users, but because it’s up there in terms of the features that matter.
@Author
What’s with the Llama?
@Reader
Carbonmade, itself has a kick-ass website, with a playful tone as you can see. And you can only be playful when you know your Sh*t!
Look at these examples, don’t they just look awesome?
Features
Dashboard. User-friendly, easy-to-navigate.
Layout Editor. For customization of portfolio grid, navigation, colors, fonts, etc.
Premade Layouts and Blocks. (Not Templates) gallery blocks, text blocks, embed blocks, and magazine layout blocks.
Unlimited video & image uploads!
Hosting is Included.
Unique Features
Unlimited Free Trial?
No use of templates. Enabling mix and match of blocks for unique portfolio customization.
Private Portfolio. To selected viewers.
Before/After Block
Gallery Slideshows.
Talent Pool. Networking with potential clients.
Global Styles. You can set them up once and apply them to the whole site.
Format is an online photography portfolio and commerce website that allows photographers to get serious!
I’m not kidding, look!
They say they have a single purpose and that is to “help photographers succeed and thrive“.
The tool is designed specifically for photographers and creatives, and it provides a safe space to showcase your work, receive feedback, interact, and sell your work directly from your website.
@Author
Well, this is a no-brainer!
@Reader
In fact, It is a community of thousands of creative professionals across 190 countries.
It has a built-in feature that protects your images from unauthorized distribution by setting a warning for anyone attempting to save your work via right-clicking or adding a watermark.
The platform is easy to use, customizable, and offers a range of features. Let’s look at some of them:
Features
Portfolio-Centric Templates. Templates specifically designed to showcase portfolios.
Responsive Design. (Mobile)
E-commerce Integration. Sell your work directly through their portfolios.
Blogging Tools. Share thoughts, ideas, or updates.
SEO Tools. Format provides built-in SEO tools.
Custom Domain. Connect a custom domain.
Unlimited Bandwidth. On all their plans, so you don’t need to worry about additional charges or site slowdowns due to traffic.
Website Analytics. Built-in analytics to help you see where traffic is coming from.
Unique Features
Client Proofing. Clients can securely log in and view, provide feedback, and approve digital proofs.
Business Email. Powered by Google Workspace.
Lightroom integration. Publish and update your portfolio and client photo galleries directly from Adobe Lightroom.
Expert Help. Hands-on help where Format Experts can build your photography website for you.
ios app. One of the few sites that have anios app version of the builder!
@Author
Not bad … 👏
@Reader
I checked a couple dozen sites built with Format, just to see how they performed in terms of speed.
Now site speed may depend on how the builder maintained it and whether you’ve done all the necessary optimizations.
But …
Assuming they did, on average the speeds were around 85-95 on Google Page Speed Insights.
Solid.
What’s Missing?
I’ve asked some people around and here is the feedback they gave me: “Occasionally there were some crashes (Minor, and probably already patched)”, and Drag and Drop needs point and click.
@Author
Pricing
@Reader
Format starts at just$4/mo. Is it fair? Totally! Better than both Squarespace and Carbonmade.
I found some awesome photographers utilizing Format for their Portfolios.
Like Lenka. Her food photography skills are just insane. (I’m a new fan) …
Yes, those images (in Ony Sans) there are actually draggable!
And most of these examples have crisp interactions, and unique brand identity.
So Bravo Readymag 👏
Custom Design Makes Your Website a Perfect Reflection of Your Brand.
Features
Drag-And-Drop. User-friendly, intuitive.
Responsive Design. Of course.
Templates and Themes. Professionally designed templates and themes that you can choose from as a starting point for your website.
Multimedia Support. this is a must-have but images, videos, audio files, and interactive elements.
Custom Domain and Branding.
Interactive elements. Animations, scroll effects, parallax scrolling, slideshows, galleries, and more.
E-commerce. Set up an online store and sell products directly from your website.
Unique Features
Collaboration. You can collab with others to make decisions together and publish immediately.
Customizable Grids. To help you create the layout you want for your website.
Free fonts and Photos. Access to over 5,000 free fonts and 2 million photos.
Website Elements Kit. Pre-made headers, pop-ups, hotspots, slideshows, and more. (astonishing web pages with just minimal creative tweaking).
Online Exhibition. Showcasing artworks by up-and-coming creatives from all disciplines.
Literally a Design Tool.
What’s Missing?
Readymag is great, but here are some downsides: There are better options if you’re not looking to build a portfolio site. And if you’re not tech-savvy, the interface can be a bit complicated. No Advanced SEO
@Author
How’s the pricing though?
@Reader
Readymag starts at $36/mo. Is it fair? 😅I don’t know about that.
I mean it’s a premium tool no doubt … You get a free trial so that’s a plus. Readymag is for you if you want a really unique-looking photography portfolio website.
5. Framer (Advanced)
You’ve probably heard of this one before.
Framer is an innovative, visual web development platform designed to simplify the process of building professional, stunning websites.
I mean people are even calling it the “Webflow Killer”. 👀
Framer combines the creative freedom of design tools like Figma and the functionality of visual builders like Webflow, and that’s its USP.
Catering to designers, granting them the ability to build sophisticated, personalized sites.
With essentially zero coding.
It offers a multitude of website templates, built by AND powered by a community of designers.
So you can grab on of those … and get started.
Features
Design and Layout. Framer offers powerful yet simple design tools that allow you to create your ultimate website design.
Breakpoints. are visible on the canvas side by side, which allows users to compare and adapt faster than any visual site builder
Insert Pages and Sections. Insertable Pages & Sections are minimally styled and designed to save time and effort
Integrations. Add a Lottie animation, Gumroad “Buy” button, icons from popular libraries, MailChimp forms, and so much more
Free Templates. and they don’t look free too.
Staging. Framer offers a staging and redirects feature for bigger sites
You can download Framer, it has apps for the Mac and Windows.
Unique Features
CMS. Run a blog, list job openings, or manage their event schedule through its CMS feature
Interactive Design Tool. It supports every part of the design process, from visual mockups to interactive prototypes, but its unique strength is publishing directly from the canvas.
Copy and Paste from Figma? A convenient feature is for designers who already have a website design in Figma. Figma you better start thinking about upgrading your situation!
No Constraints. Framer has no constraints. Users can express anything on the freeform canvas or in the content editor.
Active Community. Framer has an active community of users (mainly designers) who share resources, templates, and tutorials.
Requires knowledge of basic design and a bit intimidating if you just wanna slap a quick website. But they have a freaking free plan, to compensate for it.
@Author
What’s the price?
@Reader
Framer starts at just$5/mo (with annual discount). Is it fair? Hell yeah!
6. Popsy (Relatively New)
Alright, Alright … let’s ease in a little bit, take a breather. 😮💨 All those complex tools gave you a headache right?
Semplice V6 might be one of the best website builders I’ve covered so far, Period.
@Author
That’s quite the statement there.
@Reader
Some tools are too complex, some tools lack SEO capabilities, some tools are too simple, and some tools just underwhelm.
Semplice is like WordPress and Webflow had a child together. It’s the perfect middle ground.
Just so you know, WordPress powers 36% of the top 10,000 high-traffic websites on the internet, making it the most popular content management system in the world!
If done properly WordPress-based websites are the Fastest and the most Flexible.
(Also the best for SEO).
Features
Uses WordPress, Check!
Responsive. Looks great on any device.
Video Support. Showcase your work with video content.
SVG Support. Use scalable and high-quality SVG graphics.
Page Templates. Of course.
Advanced Portfolio Grids. Create multiple layouts, from simple grids to complex case studies.
Drag & Drop Content Editor. Design with drag & drop and add animations easily.
Custom Fontsets. Create personalized font sets for your portfolio. (Including Google Fonts)
Code Module. Add custom code to your portfolio.
Social Integration. Connect your portfolio to your social media profiles.
Next/Prev. Easy navigation through your portfolio.
This is huge, $119 would get you only 7.5 Months of Squarespace and 13 Months of CarbonMade.
What’s Missing?
Nothing, lol. I can’t believe I’m saying this but I didn’t find any so far … (I’ll update it if I find).
Semplice users, please let us know if you find any.
Looking GOOD! 👍
Bonus: Adobe Portfolio
Ah, the OG of portfolio website builders, eh?
Adobe Portfolio is a web-based platform that allows users to create and showcase their own professional portfolio websites.
It is a part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite of applications. (That’s Convenient I guess)
And is designed to be user-friendly and customizable for both individuals and creative professionals. Here are some key features and general facts about Adobe Portfolio:
Features
Classy Layouts. Adobe Portfolio’s got your back with a bunch of beautiful layouts.
Galleries Galore. Feel free to include as many galleries of your work as you want. No limits here.
Tailored Pages. You can craft custom pages to best present your work and share your story.
Smart Image Sizing. To fit whatever device your audience is using.
Your Own Domain. You can snag a domain name right through Adobe Portfolio. They’ve partnered with Namecheap to make it super easy.
Minimalist and Sleek Design. All the templates from Adobe Portfolio rock a clean, simple design.
Do you want a standardized professional-looking folio? You go with it Adobe.
Plays Well with Other Adobe Tools. Like Lightroom, Express, Stock, Fonts, and Behance. It’s all one big happy family.
Multiple Websites. Want to make more than one website? Go for it!
Welcome with a Splash. Adobe Portfolio lets you create splash pages. They’re great for introducing your work or giving a special project the spotlight.
@Author
But the price tho?
@Reader
No it’s not too bad … Adobe Portfolio starts at just $9.99/mo. Is it fair? Depends.
What’s Missing?
From my experience here are the things I found: Limited theme customization, Not suitable for selling prints, some times confusing interface, occasional slow performance issues.
Portfolio Tips
•••
Learn from Other Photographers
We’ve all got pals in the industry, right? If not, we have the internet (forums and groups) to bridge that gap. If your friends are masters in the same field you want to conquer, even better!
Even non-photographer creatives like artists and graphic designers can offer great insights, so don’t shy away from asking for advice.
Select Your Best Photos
Pick your best shots for each category of photography you want to showcase. Look for image quality, color, and relevance. Treat your portfolio as one thing.
Keep Your Portfolio Updated
Since it reflects your evolution as a photographer and showcases your style. Try updating it once a week/month, based on your pace. Try sharing the updates on socials too.
Name Your Images
Don’t forget to SEO-optimize your images. Try naming them with the most descriptive al texts to complement the file purpose for Google.
Include Client Testimonials
It’s a brilliant way to tell potential clients that you’re reliable and capable. Nothing speaks louder than a happy client.
Summary
Having a photography website rocks because you get to be the boss. Unlike social media where you’re just borrowing space, your website is your turf.
Renowned American landscape photographer Ansel Adams said; “You don’t take a photograph, you make it.” Every great photographer was once where you are now.
