So, you’ve decided to start your photography business. First off — congrats! That’s super exciting. Now comes the part where you need to show your work to the world. A beautiful website is key. But don’t worry — you don’t need to hire an expensive developer or learn to code. Website builders have got your back!
TL;DR
You’re a photography startup and need a stunning website — fast. Good news: there are amazing website builders designed just for creatives like you. Wix, Squarespace, Zenfolio and others offer templates, portfolio layouts, and tools to sell your work. Pick one that matches your style and budget, and start showcasing that beautiful photo magic you make.
Why Your Website Matters
Think of your website as your digital storefront. It’s where people come to see your photos, hire you for shoots, or even buy prints. First impressions matter — and online, that means a clean, responsive, professional-looking site. The right website builder will help you create just that, without giving you a headache.
What to Look for in a Website Builder
Before we dive into the list, here are the must-haves for any good photography website builder:
- Stunning photo gallery templates
- Mobile responsiveness
- E-commerce support (for selling prints or services)
- Simple drag-and-drop editor
- Affordable pricing for startups
- Good storage space for high-resolution images
Now let’s look at our top picks!
1. Squarespace — Sleek and Stylish
If design is super important to you (and as a photographer, it probably is), Squarespace might be your dream platform. The templates are chic, clean, and perfect for showcasing your work.
- Great for: Portrait, fashion, and art photographers
- Price: Starts at $16/month
- Cool stuff: Built-in commerce tools, client proofing pages, and blogs
Squarespace’s templates make your photos pop. Plus, their built-in features let you manage galleries, sell products, and even run a blog — all in one space!
2. Wix — Total Control, Tons of Options
Wix is the chameleon of website builders. It’s flexible, customizable, and comes packed with features. It has a dedicated Wix Photography suite, so you’ll get tools made just for photo pros.
- Great for: All kinds of photographers — from weddings to wildlife
- Price: Free plan available, paid plans from $16/month
- Cool stuff: Booking tools, photo proofing, and tons of design freedom
Not super techy? No problem. Wix’s drag-and-drop builder is very user-friendly. You can also use their AI to build a site for you. Basically, Wix lets you do you.
3. Zenfolio — Built Just for Photographers
Zenfolio isn’t just a website builder — it’s a photography business toolkit. It offers everything from portfolio websites to automated booking and even client galleries with password protection.
- Great for: Professional photographers who shoot events or portraits
- Price: Starts at $5/month
- Cool stuff: Image proofing, client galleries, printing lab integrations
You can even sell prints directly through your website, thanks to connected professional labs. No sweat, no extra tools needed.
4. Format — Made by Creatives, for Creatives
Format was designed with artists in mind — especially photographers. It has elegant templates and super-simple tools for building a portfolio-focused site. Perfect if you want your work to speak for itself.
- Great for: Fine art and editorial photographers
- Price: Starts at $7/month
- Cool stuff: Built-in store, client access pages, Lightroom integration
Need to update your gallery on the go? They have a mobile app too!
5. SmugMug — For Serious Pros
If photo quality and security are top priorities, check out SmugMug. It’s built specifically for photographers and offers unlimited storage, watermarking, and even private galleries for clients.
- Great for: Wedding, landscape, and event photographers
- Price: Starts at $13/month
- Cool stuff: Unlimited photo storage, prints selling, privacy controls
The SmugMug community is huge too, so you’re never far from help or inspiration.
6. Pixpa — All-in-One Platform
Pixpa is kind of the secret gem of website builders. It’s easy to use, affordable, and packs in all the business tools that creatives need. Plus the templates are really modern and image-focused.
- Great for: Freelancers, wedding photographers, students
- Price: Starts at $3/month (yep!)
- Cool stuff: Store, blog, gallery, and SEO tools all included
With Pixpa, you can get going quickly without breaking the bank. Ideal for startups trying to balance quality and budget.
7. Adobe Portfolio — Free for Adobe Users
If you already pay for Adobe Creative Cloud, congrats — Adobe Portfolio comes bundled with it. It’s not the most advanced builder, but it’s fast, easy, and integrates perfectly with Lightroom.
- Great for: Hobbyists and Adobe users
- Price: Free with Adobe CC
- Cool stuff: Seamless integration with Adobe tools
It’s one of the simplest ways to create a clean portfolio site — no coding or setup nightmares.
Quick Comparison Table
| Website Builder | Great For | Starting Price | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Squarespace | Stylish portfolios | $16/month | Elegant templates |
| Wix | All types of photographers | $16/month | Lots of flexibility |
| Zenfolio | Client-based work | $5/month | Client galleries |
| Format | Fine artists | $7/month | Sleek galleries |
| SmugMug | High-res images | $13/month | Unlimited storage |
| Pixpa | Startups on budget | $3/month | All-in-one tools |
| Adobe Portfolio | Adobe users | Free with Adobe CC | Lightroom sync |
Tips for Choosing Your Builder
You’ve got choices — now how do you pick just one? Here are a few tips:
- Test the free trial. Almost every builder lets you try before you buy.
- Think about your workflow. Do you need booking tools? Galleries? A store?
- Stay true to your style.
