How to Make Your Listing Great

Before You Start

Important: If we’ve already created a profile for you, it includes an email enquiry form that will send enquiries to you. Please send a test enquiry to yourself and let us know if they’re not coming through. To manage your listing and access more features, upgrade to a premium listing. Gather your best photos, your website address, phone number, social links, and any video links before you begin.

Boosting Your Profile

You can help raise the search engine rankings of your listing on Find Photographers NZ by adding a link back from your own website. This not only improves your visibility but also makes it easier for clients to find your profile.

If you would like a badge, you can use the one below:

Right click on the badge and select “Save As” to download it.
Upload it to your website — the design will work on any colour background.
Link the badge directly to your listing on Find Photographers NZ.

If you run into any issues, just let us know and we’ll be happy to help.

Accessing the Form

Before you start, make sure you’ve registered an account and have either claimed an existing listing or created a new listing that’s been approved for editing.

Step 1: Photographer or Studio Name (Title)

What to enter: Your official business or studio name. If you operate in multiple cities under the same brand, add the location in brackets.

How to write it well:

Use correct brand casing. Avoid ALL CAPS.
Keep it short and clear, ideally under 60 characters.
Avoid slogans, emojis, and marketing fluff.
If you are a sub-brand or branch, put the specific studio or city first.

Common mistakes to avoid: Keyword stuffing, adding irrelevant locations, or using acronyms only locals know.

Quick check: ✔ Official name confirmed ✔ Location added if needed ✔ Spelling and casing correct.

Step 2: Address & Map

What to enter: Your full address. The system will drop a map pin automatically. If work from home and don’t want your address listed, either enter the main city you serve and place the pin at a sensible central point or enter your home address and check the tick box at the bottom of the form to hide your address from the public.

How to make it accurate:

Enter the full street address, not just the town.
After it loads, zoom the map to how you want it to show and drag the pin to the correct location if needed.
For rural locations, place the pin at your actual entrance.
If your location is tricky to find, add directions in your description.

Quick check: ✔ Address correct ✔ Pin in the right place ✔ Map displays in preview.

Step 3: Categories

What to enter: Choose the categories that best describe your photography. Start with your primary category, then add genuinely relevant extras, for example Weddings, Portraits, Family, Baby, Children Maternity, Events, Real Estate, Commercial, Documentary, Drone & Aerial, Fashion, Glamour, Landscape, Pets, Schools, Sports.

How to choose well:

Pick the most accurate primary category first.
Add only secondary categories that truly fit.
Do not tick everything. Too many weak matches can hurt search and confuse users.
Think about what a client would click when looking for a photographer like you.

Quick check: ✔ Strong primary category ✔ Only relevant extras ✔ No overloading.

Step 4: Tags / Keywords

What to enter: Add tags highlighting your points of difference, for example; NZIPP Accredited, Free Consultations, Pet Friendly, Weekends Available.

How to choose effective tags:

Check existing tag options before creating new ones.
Use 1-2 plain words clients would type.
Include locations only if you service areas that are not within 30km of your address location.
Do not repeat your categories. Use tags for extra detail.
Avoid jargon or waffle.

Quick check: ✔ Keep them short ✔ No duplicates ✔ Search-friendly language.

Step 5: Description (Full text editor)

Important: Make your text original. Copying from other sites will not help search.

What to enter: A clear, detailed overview of your services using short paragraphs. For search engines, more text is better than too little. If you have the Elite package, use headings and bullet points to make it easy to scan.

How to structure it:

Overview: Who you work with and where you are based.
Services: Weddings, portraits, events, commercial, real estate, or other specialties.
Style and approach: Natural, candid, documentary, studio-lit, creative edits.
Deliverables and workflow: Turnaround times, galleries, albums, printing options.
Coverage area: Cities and regions you serve.
Booking information: Seasons, lead times, typical session lengths or packages.

Tips: Short paragraphs, clear headings, bullet lists for key details.

Quick check: ✔ Overview clear ✔ Services and style included ✔ Easy to skim.

Step 6: Photo Gallery

What to enter: Upload web-optimised images that showcase your best work. The best file format retaining good quality and small file size for web use is .WEBP

Requirements: Keep files within the supported size and formats for smooth uploading and fast loading.

How to make them effective:

Use landscape orientation for best fit.
Start with a strong hero image.
Show variety that matches your categories, for example weddings, family, events, real estate, commercial.
Use clear, well-lit images with minimal watermarks.
Keep a balance of people, moments, and details.

Quick check: ✔ Images meet file rules ✔ Hero chosen ✔ Variety covered ✔ Recent and sharp.

Step 7: Website Link

What to enter: Your full website URL, starting with https://

How to make it work best:

Link directly to your portfolio or the most relevant service page.
Test the link after saving.
A direct link saves time and builds trust.
If you need website help, contact us at Energise Web Design.

Quick check: ✔ URL correct ✔ Starts with https:// ✔ Opens to the right page.

Step 8: Phone Number

What to enter: The main number for enquiries.

How to make it effective:

Use a number monitored during office hours.
Avoid extensions, as numbers are tapped on mobile.
If you prefer email first, say so in your description.
Don’t add any extensions, as this will break the link for users on smartphones.

Quick check: ✔ Correct number ✔ Clear format ✔ Calls will be answered.

Step 9: Social Media

What to enter: Links to your official Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, or other profiles.

How to use them well:

Paste full URLs so the links work.
Only add accounts you keep active.
Social feeds help clients see recent work and behind-the-scenes.

Quick check: ✔ Correct links ✔ Official accounts ✔ Profiles active and suitable.

Step 10: Video Embed

What to enter: A YouTube or Vimeo link to a short promo, reel, or client story.

How to make it effective:

Keep it under two minutes if possible.
Focus on your work, approach, and client outcomes.
Ensure it plays well on mobile and consider captions for silent viewing.

Quick check: ✔ Link correct ✔ Highlights key strengths ✔ Plays clearly on mobile.

Step 11: Final Checks

Before you submit:

Use Preview to see how the listing looks.
Proofread the description.
Confirm the map pin is correct.
Test website, social, and video links.
Check your gallery on mobile for clarity and crop.

Quick check: ✔ Description polished ✔ Links and map work ✔ Photos and video look good on mobile.

Step 12: Submit and Update

What to do: When you are happy with the preview, click Submit. Your listing will be reviewed and then published.

Keeping it fresh:

Update photos when you have new work.
Adjust categories and tags when your services expand.
Refresh the video if you create a better piece.
Review your description annually to keep details current.

Quick check: ✔ Submitted for review ✔ Plan in place to refresh content regularly.