Categories to consider
- Wedding photographer (primary, use your specialty)
- Photographer
- Portrait studio
- Commercial photographer
- Photography studio
- Passport photo processor
- Event planner (only if you plan events)
Attributes
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance (studio only)
- Small business
- LGBTQ+ owned
- Asian-owned
- Women-owned
Typical services
- Wedding photography
- Engagement sessions
- Family portraits
- Headshots
- Newborn photography
- Product photography
- Event photography
- Passport photos
- Photo retouching
Studio, service area or both
Photographers split three ways on Google. A portrait studio with signage, where clients come for sessions during set hours, is a storefront. A wedding or event photographer who always shoots on location is a service-area business: one profile, home address removed, up to 20 cities or postal codes. A studio that also travels to weddings is a hybrid, showing the studio address and a service area.
Eligibility hinges on in-person contact. Google requires a business to meet customers in person during its stated hours. A photographer who only sells prints or stock images online isn’t eligible. Google also lists artists among those who can’t have a profile, so a fine-art practice with no client sessions may not qualify. Client work at a studio or on location does.
Hours when everything is booked ahead
Most photographers don’t keep walk-in hours. Google’s guidelines say businesses that operate only by appointment shouldn’t provide regular hours. A passport photo counter that takes walk-ins is the exception and should post exact times.
Specialty category
Clients search by occasion: “wedding photographer”, “newborn photographer”, “headshot photographer”. Google prefers specific categories, so lead with the specialty that brings most work. Photographer is the general fallback. Portrait studio and Photography studio fit businesses with a physical studio. Commercial photographer covers product and brand work. Don’t add categories for every type of shoot; put those in services.
Reviews after the gallery goes out
Reviews often arrive after the gallery is delivered. Thank couples or families by first name if they used it, and mention the occasion only if they did. For complaints about delivery time, give a short status and move details to email. Never post private gallery links in a reply.
The profile is your portfolio, within limits
Photographers care how images look, and Google’s limits matter. Uploads must be JPG or PNG between 10 KB and 5 MB. Google recommends 720 by 720 pixels with a 250-pixel minimum. It asks for photos that are in focus and well lit, with no significant alterations or excessive filters. Heavily stylized edits can be rejected, so include some lightly edited work. Set a logo and a cover photo that represents your style. Videos can run 30 seconds, up to 75 MB, at 720p or higher.
Only post client images you have permission to use.
If it doesn't work
- A portfolio photo was rejected or looks off: Google asks for photos without significant alterations or excessive filters. Upload a less processed version.
- Your upload failed: check the 5 MB limit and use JPG or PNG.
- Your home studio address appears but clients never visit: remove it and use a service area.
- Google says you're ineligible as an online business: you need in-person contact with clients during stated hours, at a studio or on location.
Questions owners ask
Can I list Wedding photographer and Commercial photographer?
If you regularly sell both, yes. Google asks you to use as few categories as possible and not one per service, so pick the one that brings most bookings as primary and keep secondaries to the work you sell.
Do I need a studio to have a profile?
No. A business that travels to customers and has no storefront with signage can have one service-area profile. You do need in-person contact with customers; online-only businesses aren't eligible.
Why do my edited photos look different on Google?
Google recommends 720 by 720 pixels, accepts JPG or PNG up to 5 MB and asks for photos in focus without significant alterations or heavy filters. Strongly stylized edits are the ones most likely to look off.
Sources
- Photo and video guidelines for your Business Profile (support.google.com)
- Guidelines for representing your business on Google (support.google.com)
- Business eligibility and ownership guidelines (support.google.com)
Checked 13 Nov 2026. When the platform changes its process we update this page and log it in What changed.