How to Customize a Portfolio Squarespace Template for Your Photography Business

So, you’re ready to build a stunning photography website with Squarespace? Great choice! With the right portfolio Squarespace template, you can create a site that beautifully showcases your work, attracts clients, and grows your business—all without touching a single line of code.

The best part? Squarespace makes customization super easy, so your site can feel like you. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps to personalize your template and make it uniquely yours.

And if you're still looking for the perfect design, check out my Squarespace template shop—I’ve got some gorgeous new Squarespace templates designed specifically for photographers like you!

Step 1: Pick the Right Portfolio Squarespace Template

Not all Squarespace templates are created equal—especially when it comes to photography websites. You want something clean, modern, and easy to navigate. Look for:

✅ Big, bold image galleries (because your photos should be the star of the show)
✅ Minimalist layouts that don’t distract from your work
✅ Mobile-friendly designs so your site looks amazing on any screen
✅ Built-in booking/contact features to help clients reach you easily

Need help choosing? I’ve handpicked some of the best portfolio Squarespace templates in my Squarespace template shop—check them out!

Step 2: Customize Your Fonts & Colors

Now it’s time to make your website feel like your brand. Go to Design > Site Styles in Squarespace, where you can:

🎨 Change colors – Pick shades that match your vibe (soft pastels, moody dark tones, bold contrasts—whatever suits your photography style).
🔤 Update fonts – Choose something clean and professional for body text and something unique for headings.
📏 Adjust spacing & layouts – Make sure your content has room to breathe.

Small changes can make a huge difference in how polished and professional your website feels!

Step 3: Create a Killer Homepage

Your homepage is your first impression—make it count! Here’s what to include:

📸 A hero image or slideshow – Feature your absolute best work right at the top.
📌 Simple navigation – Stick to the essentials (Home, Portfolio, About, Contact).
⚡ A clear call-to-action – Want people to book a session? Tell them! (Example: "Let’s capture your story—book your shoot today!")

Your homepage should feel welcoming, easy to navigate, and true to your brand.

Step 4: Perfect Your Portfolio Pages

This is where your work really shines. Instead of dumping all your photos onto one page, organize them into categories:

📷 Weddings
📷 Portraits
📷 Branding
📷 Travel & Landscapes

Make it easy for visitors to find what they’re looking for. Also, add short descriptions to each gallery—something like: "A dreamy, golden-hour engagement session in Paris." It adds personality and helps with SEO!

Step 5: Add a Contact Page (and Make It Super Easy to Use!)

You want potential clients to reach out, right? Make it effortless for them. Your contact page should have:

📧 A simple contact form (no one likes long, complicated forms)
📱 Your email + social media links
📍 Your location (if relevant)

And here’s a pro tip: Add a little personality! Instead of "Contact me," try something friendly like "Let’s chat! Tell me about your dream shoot."

Step 6: Sell Prints & Digital Downloads (If You Want to Make Extra $$$)

Did you know you can sell your photos directly from your Squarespace site? If you want to offer prints or digital downloads, head to Commerce > Products and start setting up your store.

🖼 Sell framed prints of your best shots
📸 Offer digital downloads for branding clients
🎁 Create special edition collections

It’s an easy way to turn your passion into passive income!

Step 7: Optimize for SEO (So Clients Can Actually Find You)

A beautiful website is useless if no one sees it. Here’s how to make sure your site ranks on Google:

🔍 Use keywords naturally – Include words like wedding photographer Amsterdam in your headings and text.
🖼 Optimize images – Upload high-quality photos but keep file sizes small (Squarespace automatically helps with this).
📝 Start a blog – Write about your shoots, photography tips, or behind-the-scenes stories. Google loves fresh content!

Step 8: Connect Your Social Media

Chances are, potential clients are already checking you out on Instagram. Make it easy for them to move from your social media to your website by:

📌 Adding Instagram feeds directly to your site
📌 Linking to your socials in the footer/header
📌 Encouraging visitors to follow you

Your website and social media should work together to build your brand!

You’re Ready to Launch!

And that’s it! With just a few simple tweaks, your portfolio Squarespace template will be fully customized and ready to impress potential clients.