The CHM SEO Playbook

Stop hoping Google finds you.
Make it impossible
to ignore you.

A step-by-step SEO system built specifically for headshot photographers — Google Business Profile, on-page optimization, local citations, blog strategy, and a 90-day execution plan. No guessing. No agency required.

Get the Playbook — $97
One-time  ·  Instant download  ·  12 sections
12
Sections
90
Day plan
$97
One-time
0
Fluff
corporate headshots austin Search MAP PACK #1 City Headshot Studio · Corporate Photographer ★★★★★ 94 reviews · cityheadshotstudio.com #2 Generic Studio · Austin TX ★★★☆☆ 11 reviews #3 Another Photographer ORGANIC RESULTS #1 Corporate Headshots [City] | City Headshot Studio cityheadshotstudio.com/corporate-headshots #2 Organic result... THIS IS WHAT THE PLAYBOOK BUILDS TOWARD
The problem

Most headshot photographers are invisible on Google.

Not because their work is bad. Because nobody ever showed them how local search actually works — what Google wants to see, where the ranking signals come from, and how to build them systematically.

They post on Instagram. They wait. Nothing happens. Meanwhile someone three miles away who knows one SEO trick is booking corporate clients every week.

The difference is not talent. It is infrastructure.

Your website gets traffic — but not from Google.

You're visible to people who already know your name. You're invisible to the people searching right now.

You've tried "SEO" but nothing moved.

Generic SEO advice doesn't account for local search. A headshot photographer competes differently than an e-commerce brand.

Your Google Business Profile is half-finished.

The Map Pack is often the first thing a corporate prospect sees. Half a profile signals you're not serious.

You're not getting Google reviews consistently.

Reviews are the single highest-ROI SEO action a photographer can take. Most photographers leave this entirely to chance.

What this is

A complete SEO system written for one specific business: yours.

The CHM SEO Playbook is not a general marketing guide repackaged for photographers. Every section was written from the perspective of running a high-volume headshot studio in a competitive market — what actually moves rankings, what wastes time, and exactly what to do first.

01
Specific to headshot photography

Not repurposed from a generic SEO course. The keywords, directory listings, GBP setup, and blog topics are all written for a photographer targeting corporate clients in a local market.

02
Step by step with no gaps

Every action is written out completely. Not "optimize your GBP" — but exactly which fields matter, what to write, how many photos to upload, and in what order.

03
Built to compound over time

SEO is not a one-time project. The Playbook is structured around a 90-day execution plan that builds momentum — early wins in month one, ranking movement in month two, compounding results in month three.

What's inside

12 sections. Nothing skipped, nothing padded.

Each section covers one component of the SEO system completely — setup steps, decision rules, tool recommendations, and the actions that actually produce results.

01
How Local SEO Works for Photographers

The mechanics behind local rankings — how Google decides who shows up in the Map Pack, what organic results weigh, and why headshot photography is a uniquely strong local SEO opportunity.

02
Google Business Profile Setup & Optimization

Every field that matters, exact service categories, how many photos to upload and how to name them, the Q&A section most photographers leave empty, and the GBP posting strategy that drives consistent bookings.

03
Keyword Research for Headshot Photographers

How to find the specific search terms your corporate clients are using, the location + service keyword formula, and how to assign keywords to specific pages so nothing conflicts.

04
On-Page SEO — Page Titles, Metas & Headers

Step-by-step instructions for Squarespace, Showit, and WordPress. Exact format for page titles and meta descriptions. What H1, H2, and H3 are doing for your rankings.

05
Service Page Architecture

Why most photographer websites have the wrong page structure — and how to build service pages that both rank and convert. Individual headshots, corporate team headshots, and industry-specific pages explained.

06
The Google Review Strategy

The highest-ROI SEO action available to a local photographer. The exact system Ryan uses to get consistent reviews — post-session timing, message format, and the direct review link that removes friction.

07
Local Citations & Directory Listings

Which directories actually move rankings (Tier 1 through Tier 3), NAP consistency and why a single wrong address tanks your credibility with Google, and the two platforms that handle most citation management automatically.

08
Blog Content Strategy That Ranks

Why most photographer blogs produce no organic traffic — and how to build one that does. Topic selection, search intent, the correct use of AI for blog writing without producing generic output.

09
Technical SEO Fundamentals

Site speed, mobile optimization, HTTPS, structured data (schema markup), and the image optimization workflow — the technical checklist that clears the way for everything else to work.

10
Schema Markup for Local Businesses

What schema markup is, how it helps local photographers specifically, and the copy-paste JSON-LD blocks you add to your site pages. No coding knowledge required.

11
Competitor Analysis

How to identify exactly who ranks above you, what keywords they hold, and where your fastest opportunities are. The free tools that give you enough data to act — no paid subscription required.

12
Tracking, Measurement & The 90-Day Plan

Google Search Console and Analytics setup, the five metrics worth tracking, and the complete 90-day execution plan — week by week, with specific actions and priorities.

How the three layers work together
LAYER 1 · FOUNDATION Google Business Profile On-Page Optimization Service Page Architecture Technical SEO Fundamentals LAYER 2 · TRUST SIGNALS Google Reviews Strategy + system Local Citations NAP consistency Schema Markup Structured data LAYER 3 · COMPOUND GROWTH Blog Content Strategy Targets real search queries Competitor Analysis Find ranking gaps to exploit Consistent organic leads from Google
The 90-day plan

Foundation, momentum, compounding.

The last section of the Playbook is a week-by-week execution plan. You don't have to figure out what to do next — it's already laid out. Month one builds the foundation. Month two builds momentum. Month three is where it starts compounding.

90-DAY EXECUTION TIMELINE START DAY 30 DAY 60 DAY 90 MONTH 1 — FOUNDATION MONTH 2 — MOMENTUM MONTH 3 — COMPOUNDING GBP fully complete Every field · 50+ photos On-page audit Page titles + metas First review push Last 10 clients — personal Service pages live Individual + group + industry First blog post Preparation or wardrobe query Schema markup All service pages Map Pack movement Visible in GBP Insights Blog posts 2 + 3 Content velocity building Organic leads incoming System working on autopilot SECTION 12 — WEEK-BY-WEEK ACTIONS FULLY DOCUMENTED
Month One
Foundation
  • Complete Google Business Profile fully — every field, 50+ photos
  • Install Search Console and Analytics
  • Audit and update all page titles and meta descriptions
  • Build keyword map — 10 target terms assigned to specific pages
  • Build or improve Individual Headshots service page
  • Personal review request to last 10 clients
  • Correct NAP inconsistencies across existing citations
Month Two
Building Momentum
  • Build Corporate Team Headshots service page
  • Publish first blog post targeting a preparation query
  • Begin first industry-specific page (real estate, legal, healthcare)
  • Implement schema markup on all service pages
  • GBP posting twice per week — consistent cadence
  • Complete Tier 2 directory listings
  • Review request after every completed session
Month Three
Compounding
  • Publish second and third blog posts
  • Complete second industry-specific page
  • Review Month 1 pages — update with new examples
  • Map Pack impression growth visible in GBP Insights
  • Check Search Console for new ranking queries to expand
  • Identify first local link building opportunity
  • Review five tracking metrics — adjust strategy accordingly
Who this is for

Not for everyone. Right for a specific photographer.

This Playbook was written from the perspective of someone running a real headshot business — not a marketing professor, not an agency selling retainer services. That means it's built for a specific situation.

This is for you if —
  • You're a working photographer who wants Google to be a consistent source of corporate leads
  • You're starting a headshot business and want to build the SEO foundation correctly from day one
  • You've tried SEO before and nothing moved — because nobody explained local search specifically
  • You want a system you run yourself, not another agency to write checks to
  • You're already booking but want to stop relying entirely on referrals and social media
This is not for you if —
  • You are not a photographer — this is written specifically for the headshot and portrait photography business model
  • You want a quick fix that produces rankings in a week — SEO is not that and this Playbook doesn't pretend otherwise
  • You are not willing to put in consistent, low-volume effort over 90 days — the system works, but you have to run it
  • You want someone to do it for you — this is a DIY playbook, not a done-for-you service
Why this exists

Built from a working studio, not a marketing textbook.

"ATX Headshots books 6–9 individual sessions and 1–2 group bookings every month. A significant portion of those come directly from organic Google search. Not ads. Not referrals. Google. This Playbook is the documentation of exactly how that happens."
Ryan Dunbar  ·  ATX Headshots  ·  Austin, TX

I didn't build this from theory. ATX Headshots operates in the Austin market — competitive, corporate-heavy, full of photographers with good gear and no SEO. I figured out what actually moves the needle by testing it on a live studio with real clients and real search results.

The Playbook is the documentation of that process. Every section reflects what I actually do — the GBP setup, the review cadence, the service page structure, the blog approach. No filler, no padding, no recycled advice from a generic digital marketing course.

If you run a headshot business and want Google to send you clients consistently, this is the playbook.

Where it fits

One piece of a larger system.

The CHM product line is built as a progression. The SEO Playbook is a standalone resource — buy it on its own if SEO is your current priority, or pair it with the Headshot Studio Playbook for the complete communication and visibility system.

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The complete local SEO system for headshot photographers
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The CHM SEO Playbook

12 sections, 90-day plan, step-by-step instructions for the full local SEO system. Written for headshot photographers. One-time purchase. Instant download.

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Questions

Straight answers.

How long until I see results?

SEO is not a fast channel. Month one is foundation — you're unlikely to see ranking movement yet, but you're building the infrastructure that makes it possible. Most photographers start seeing Map Pack impression growth in month two or three. Meaningful organic traffic from a new blog post takes 3–6 months. This is the honest answer. Anyone telling you different is selling you something else.

Do I need to know anything about SEO to use this?

No. The Playbook is written for photographers with no SEO background. Every action is explained from scratch, including platform-specific steps for Squarespace, Showit, and WordPress. You do not need to understand how Google's algorithm works to follow the instructions.

Do I need to buy any paid tools?

No. Every action in the Playbook can be completed using free tools — Google Search Console, Google Analytics 4, Google Business Profile, and the free tier of Ubersuggest. The Playbook mentions SEMrush for advanced users who want to go deeper, but it is entirely optional.

Is this only useful for photographers in big cities?

The opposite, actually. Local SEO is more powerful in mid-sized and smaller markets where competition is lighter. The same actions that produce movement in a crowded market like Austin produce faster results where there are fewer active competitors. Wherever you're located, the system applies.

I already have a website. Do I need to rebuild it?

No. The Playbook works with whatever website you already have. Sections 4 and 5 include platform-specific instructions for making on-page changes without touching your design or rebuilding anything from scratch.

What if it doesn't work for me?

There's a 30-day money-back guarantee. No conditions, no hoops. If you go through the Playbook and don't feel it was worth what you paid, email for a full refund.

The photographers ranking on Google
didn't get lucky.

They built the infrastructure. The Playbook shows you exactly what that infrastructure looks like — and how to build it yourself, step by step, starting this week.

Get the SEO Playbook — $97
$97  ·  One-time  ·  Instant access  ·  30-day guarantee