Tips and Suggestions for Headshots Matter Members

1. Be clear about what you do and where you are.
Spell it out. Don't just say you're a "photographer"—say you offer professional headshots in [City Name]. Mention nearby areas you serve too.

2. Include a short, helpful About section.
AI tools scan your About page to understand what kind of photographer you are. A few clear sentences about your style, approach, and the types of clients you serve goes a long way.

3. Use simple, searchable phrases.
Include practical terms like:

• "LinkedIn headshots"

• "Actors' headshots"

• "Corporate photography"

• "Personal branding portraits"

• Mix them naturally into your website text, not stuffed in awkwardly.

4. Make sure every photo has alt text.
Each image should have a short description behind the scenes (called alt text). It helps both accessibility and AI understanding. Example: "Professional LinkedIn portrait of a woman in downtown Toronto by [Photographer's Name]"

5. List your name, studio, and city in the footer.
Repeat your full name, business name, and location near the bottom of every page. That helps AI tools confirm who you are and where you work.

6. Create a FAQ or Q&A section.
Even just 3–5 short questions like:

• "What should I wear for a headshot?"

• “Where is your studio located?"

• "How long does a session take?"

• These sections are often included in AI summaries and recommendations.

7. Link your site to other trusted pages.
If you're listed on Headshots Matter, Student Headshots, or professional organizations, link to them. Search tools treat those links as credibility signals.

8. Add a Google Business Profile if you haven't yet.
It boosts both map visibility and AI search results. Be sure to link it to your website and add recent work to your profile.

9. Write for real people, not algorithms.
AI now prefers clean, natural writing over keyword stuffing. Be yourself, keep your tone clear and helpful, and focus on answering questions a potential client might have.

10. Use your full name in your blog posts or project captions.
If your name only appears once—maybe on the contact page—AI might not connect the dots. Try adding it to blog posts, testimonials, or case studies.

11. Name your image files clearly.
Instead of IMG_4567.jpg, use something like: LinkedIn_Headshot_Toronto_StudioName.jpg
This improves search understanding, even if the image isn't visible on the page.

12. Add a few testimonials (with context).
AI tools often scan testimonials to understand your reputation. Add 2–3 with clear context like:

"Working with [Your Name] in Vancouver was such a great experience—she made me feel confident and relaxed in front of the camera."

13. Include your HSM membership.
Mention that you're part of Headshots Matter. AI tools pick up affiliations and often use them when suggesting trustworthy photographers. This can be done in your 'about section' and also in relationship to your backlink.

14. Use structured headers (H1, H2, H3).
This helps AI (and regular search engines) scan your site efficiently. For example:

• H1: Toronto Headshot Photographer

• H2: Headshots for LinkedIn, Creatives + Corporate Teams

• H3: What to Expect in Your Session

15. Avoid fancy navigation terms.
Stick with straightforward menu labels like "Portfolio," "Headshots," "About," and "Contact." AI and screen readers often miss creative terms like "The Experience" or "Visual Diary."

16. Keep your site mobile-friendly.
AI search tools factor in mobile performance. If your website loads slowly or behaves oddly on phones, it might be skipped over or ranked lower.

17. Refresh your homepage once in a while.
Even light edits (like updating the current year, tweaking your welcome message, or posting a recent client session) can show search tools that your site is active, not abandoned.

18. Keep your LinkedIn profile active and aligned with your website.
While AI tools don’t pull directly from LinkedIn as often as they do from blogs or forums, your profile still helps build credibility. A strong LinkedIn presence—with a clear title (like “Professional Headshot Photographer in [City]”), a current portfolio link, and regular posts—can strengthen how you're seen by both people and AI.

Think of it as supporting your overall online presence. Bonus: if someone asks an AI tool to “find a headshot photographer in Toronto,” and you’ve been mentioned in posts or linked from other sites, your active LinkedIn profile helps reinforce that you’re a real, trusted professional.

Tip: Use similar language on LinkedIn as you do on your website so AI can make the connection more easily.

19. Pitch a guest post for the HSM blog.
One of the easiest ways to help AI tools find your name and website is to be featured somewhere credible. And what better place than the HSM blog? Sharing a short story, tip, or insight on headshot photography, creative process, or running your studio adds to your professional visibility—and helps boost HSM’s shared reach at the same time.

You don’t need to be a “writer.” We’ll help polish your ideas if needed. It’s a win-win:

• You get a backlink to your site (great for AI and search engines)

• Your work gets seen by fellow photographers and potential collaborators

• Your name becomes part of HSM’s growing online presence

Tip: Keep it real and short. Just 200–400 words is plenty. We’re always happy to feature voices from the community.

Suggestions are always fluid, so if you have any ideas that have worked for you or that you’ve heard work - please feel free to add them to the form below. Please also use this form to send us any questions.