100 Blogs Later: Lessons I’ve Learned Growing Our Photography Business Online
It started with a simple goal: share our work, stay consistent, and maybe help people understand what we do. I had no idea how far it would take me.
Today, I’m sitting down to write blog number 100.
100 posts.
100 chances to reflect, refine, and reconnect—with our work, clients, and purpose.
I never thought I’d call myself a “blogger.” But what I’ve learned along the way is that blogging has become one of the most powerful tools in our photography business. It’s how I’ve told stories, brought in clients, grown our online presence, and built something that feels real, lasting, and true to us.
What Changed Between Blog #1 and Blog #100?
When I first started, my blogs were quick reflections. Sometimes a paragraph, sometimes just a caption. I posted beautiful photos and told people what they were looking at. But I wasn’t yet connecting the way I am now.
Now, each blog is a conversation. A travel guide. A memory. A story. A sales tool. A portfolio piece. A reason to book with us.
Here’s what I’ve learned along the way—and what I messed up, too.
❌ The Biggest Mistakes I Made (So You Don’t Have To)
1. I Didn’t Use Keywords at First
For months, I wrote blogs that never ranked because I had no idea what SEO even meant. I thought if I posted a pretty shoot, people would just “find it.” They didn’t.
Fix: Now I use long-tail, location-based keywords in every post—like “sunset proposal photographer in La Jolla” or “family photos in Temecula wine country.”
2. I Wasn’t Writing for the Right Audience
At first, I was writing for me. But I learned that blogs are meant for the person reading them. I talked about gear or my creative process, but I didn’t answer the questions potential clients were asking.
Fix: Now, every blog is written with one person in mind—someone searching for a photographer and wondering, “Is this the one?”
3. I Didn’t Include Clear CTAs
I used to end blogs with nothing—no link, no offer, no direction. I made people scroll through beautiful stories and then… just leave.
Fix: Now every blog points to something—whether it’s a seasonal package, a booking link, or a related blog to keep them reading.
4. I Didn’t Track My Results
For a long time, I didn’t check what was working. I wasn’t paying attention to bounce rates, traffic, or conversions. I just kept posting, blindly.
Fix: Now, I use performance data to guide future posts—refining based on traffic, optimizing for conversion, and tweaking titles based on what people search for.
5. I Forgot Who I Was Talking To
There was a phase where I made things too polished, too SEO-heavy, and lost my voice. I became robotic trying to “rank.”
Fix: I learned you can optimize for search engines without losing heart. Now, I blend warmth with strategy.
6. I Didn’t Think My Work Was Good Enough
There were seasons I was scared to blog because I thought my work didn’t measure up. I let self-doubt stop me from sharing.
Fix: I’ve learned to post anyway. To write the blog even if I’m unsure. Growth happens through action, not perfection.
✅ What I Learned Along the Way
Lesson 1: Long-Tail Keywords Are More Than Just SEO
They’re how people find you when they’re looking for exactly what you offer. Not “photographer near me,” but “maternity photos in Laguna Beach at golden hour.”
Lesson 2: Every Blog Is a Silent Salesperson
If you write with purpose, every blog can be a way for someone to find you, trust you, and book with you. That’s how I turned blogs into service pages.
Lesson 3: People Don’t Just Want Pretty Photos—They Want Stories
They want to feel what it was like. They want to imagine themselves there. That’s the magic of combining photos with narrative.
Lesson 4: Systems Set You Free
Now I blog with structure:
SEO title
400-character description
Keyword-rich excerpt
Hyperlinks to trusted sources
Call to action
It’s like second nature—and it saves me time.
Lesson 5: Consistency > Perfection
Not every blog will go viral. But every blog builds trust. Some of my slowest posts turned into bookings months later just because I kept showing up.
Lesson 6: I Found My Voice
Around blog #40, I started writing like me. Not like a brand. Not like someone trying to sound like everyone else. Just… me. And that’s when things started to click.
🔄 Then vs. Now: My Blogging Evolution
| First 5 Blogs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Length | 1–2 paragraphs | Full SEO-structured content |
| Voice | Uncertain | Confident + warm |
| Keywords | None | Long-tail, location-based |
| Links | Missing | Hyperlinked to venues, hikes, packages |
| Photo Tips | None | Built-in per shoot |
| CTA | Absent | Strong offer or next step |
| Goal | Share images | Share + connect + convert |
Where I’m Going From Here
This 100th blog isn’t just a milestone. It’s proof that showing up works—even when you feel invisible, even when bookings are slow, even when you’re unsure.
I’ve blogged through self-doubt, burnout, and learning curves. I’ve blogged through travel, slow seasons, and late nights.
And now, we’re getting ready to take this journey on the road. Starting in San Diego and heading up the coast with my wife and our three pups, we’ll be photographing, storytelling, and connecting with new clients wherever we land next.
💬 We love to hear from you:
What was your favorite blog post? What topic should we dive into next? Drop a comment, send a message, or reach out if you’ve got an idea we could bring to life together. Let’s keep creating, learning, and growing—together.
