How to Host a Photography Site on WordPress

Photography is one of the most popular hobbies globally, with people spending over 4 hours a day looking at art through pictures on social media. It is therefore not surprising that many are looking to make a career out of it. If you have a keen eye and a decent camera, then all you need is a willing subject and a few inspiring photos to document your adventures.

While it is possible to produce images using a smartphone, a DSLR, or even a large-format photo album, doing so yourself is very likely to result in sub-par creative output and mediocre photographic skills. Professionals with years of experience are available to take your photos for you, but if you want to become a professional photographer then you will need to learn how to take photos yourself.

The good thing is that the resources available online make this easier than you’d think. In this article we will discuss how to host a photography site on WordPress, utilizing the various tools that the platform offers.

Why WordPress For a Photography Blog?

WordPress offers a great amount of flexibility when it comes to building a website. This being said, it is not an easy platform to use for someone with little to no experience or knowledge in web design. Luckily, the team at WPBeginner have compiled a list of the best free WordPress themes designed for photographers and photographers, specifically.

These themes offer a no-nonsense approach to creating a web space for photographers, with many featuring unique design ideas that will leave even the most seasoned web designer envious.

Themes For Photographers And Other Purposes

There are many reasons why photographers might want to use WordPress for their personal blog. One of the primary reasons is that WordPress offers great flexibility when it comes to the kinds of websites users can create. This means that even a professional photographer can use the software to create a personal journal, a portfolio, a blog, a product review site, or any other sort of site they might want to build.

WordPress also offers a wide range of free themes that can be used to build a completely new website from scratch, or easily customized to fit the needs of a specific customer. This means that even advanced users can use the software to build sites with the functionality they need, without having to worry about lacking the necessary expertise.

WordPress Themes For Photographers

Because of the wide range of uses that WordPress can be put to, it’s no surprise that there are many free themes designed for photographers. What is surprising is just how many fantastic free themes there are. In this section we are going to highlight just a few of those themes, to give you an idea of what is available, and why you should consider using WordPress to host your photography site.

Minimalist

If you are looking for a simple, easy-to-use WordPress theme that looks great and doesn’t overwhelm you with features, then you should check out the Minimalist theme. This theme is simple, clean, and uncluttered, with only the essentials located in the sidebar.

While the design of the site might not be flashy or boast extensive features, the functionality of this theme is actually rather amazing. Not only can you easily navigate your way around the site using the side bars, you can also make use of the various short codes (a la carte items) that are available inside the theme to add additional features to your site. For example, you could add a blogroll featuring your favorite blogs or a portfolio section with your latest work.

The best part about this theme is how lightweight it is. Despite the fact that it looks decent, it only weighs in at 5.9MB, according to WordPress. This makes it much more mobile-friendly than many themes out there, hence the reason it is one of the recommended themes for photographers.

Retro

WordPress also offers a great variety of retro themes. These themes feature vintage graphics in charmingly nostalgic settings. If you are a fan of old-school themes, or just looking for a change of pace from the usual bright hues, then you should check out the Retro theme. This theme is similar to the Minimalist theme, only with a 90s twist.

This theme features graphics from the roaring 20s through to the early 2000s, with each design fittingly representing a certain decade. For example, the 20s are represented by grumpy-looking gnomes, while the 30s are themed after the Harlem Renaissance. As you might imagine, this theme is a great opportunity to inject some personality into your site, as each design is completely customizable.

The best part of this theme is that it is fully responsive, which means it looks great on any device. This is a godsend for photographers, as it means your content will look amazing on any sized screen. This might be especially useful if you plan on publishing your work on social media platforms like Instagram, where the quality of the photo will be graded based on the size of the screen on which it is displayed.

Eco

If you are looking to create a site devoted to nature and photography, you should check out the Eco theme. This theme is dedicated to the environment and sustainable living. It is a free theme developed by the folks at WordPress, and it is available in a range of colors. Each design represents various eco-friendly features, such as shade and water saving technologies. 

It is important to note that while this theme looks fantastic, it is not completely hassle-free. For example, if you want to put a lot of work into your site, you might have to spend some money on the necessary hosting and premium plugins to make it functionality-complete. However, the good news is that you can find quality plugins for free that will enhance the functionality of your site. This means you do not have to buy expensive software to make your blog or portfolio functional.

Premium

If you are looking for a more polished and professional experience, then you should check out the premium themes. These themes are completely customizable, and they come with a wide array of different options and features. Some of the premium themes are quite prestigious, with names like Blossom and Orchid attracting design enthusiasts and photographers from around the world.

These are the types of themes you should look out for, if you want to make your personal site stand out. 

Final Takeaway

WordPress is an incredibly flexible and user-friendly platform for photographers who want to build a site. Even if you are new to web design and development, you should have no trouble finding a theme that will suit your needs. With such a huge amount of flexibility and amazing variety of themes, you are sure to find something to fit your needs. If you have a keen eye for photography and a creative mind, you can use WordPress to build a professional site that will serve your needs and requirements. It might not be the easiest platform to get started with, but with the right theme and some time to learn, you will be able to produce a magnificent website for your photography business.