672: Alex Vita – Why Photographers Need to Be Picked by AI, Not Just Ranked by Google

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area

Alex Vita of www.foregroundweb.com helps photographers turn their websites into enquiry machines.

He’s worked on hundreds of photography websites across more than 25 countries — building them, auditing them, and showing exactly what’s working… and what’s costing photographers enquiries.

I first interviewed Alex way back in episode 108, more than 10 years ago.

Not long after that, he became my go-to person for anything website related.

But things have changed.

AI is reshaping the way people search, Google is changing the way it displays results, and photographers are asking some big questions…

Is SEO still worth the effort?

Does blogging still matter?

Can AI-built websites actually work?

And how do you make sure your photography business is the one Google, ChatGPT or any other AI tool chooses to recommend?

In this interview, I put the questions Premium Members posted in the Members Group to Alex — covering AI, websites, SEO, Google Business Profiles, content, schema, website platforms and what photographers should actually focus on now.

And Alex shares a grounded, practical look at what still matters, what’s changing fast, and why photographers don’t need to panic… but do need to pay attention.

Here's some more of what we covered in the interview:

• Why photographers worried about AI replacing SEO may be focused on the wrong problem
• How Google still drives the majority of search traffic, despite the noise around ChatGPT and AI search
• Why getting recommended by AI tools could become as important as ranking on page one of Google
• How Google’s AI Overviews are changing website traffic by answering questions before people ever click
• Why “zero-click search” matters for photographers and what it means for future enquiries
• How local searches like “wedding photographer near me” remain one of the strongest opportunities for photographers
• Why fewer, better blog posts based on real experience can beat mass-produced AI content
• How AI can help with research, strategy and content ideas without replacing your personality or voice
• Why clear website structure, fast load speeds and helpful content are still the foundation of good SEO
• How schema and structured data help Google and AI better understand your photography business
• Why your Google Business Profile is still one of the most important tools for local visibility
• How consistent business details across your website, Google profile, social media and directories build trust with search engines and AI
• Why AI-built websites can look finished but still miss the strategy, positioning and conversion thinking that makes them work
• How photographers can use AI tools to save time, improve strategy and better understand what clients are searching for
• Why the bigger risk may not be SEO changing, but having a weak or unclear photography business model amplified by more marketing

What’s on Offer for Premium Members

If you’re on the fence about becoming a premium member, join with the $1 trial today and get access to the FULL interviews each week, a fantastic back catalogue of interviews, and have ALL future interviews delivered automatically to your phone or tablet. Plus, special member-only interviews.

The old SEO model was simple: rank high, get the click, make the sale, win the lead. The new model is different. AI reads your website, decides whether to cite or recommend you, and only then does a human see the answer.
— Alex Vita

You'll also receive access to the members-only Secret Facebook Group, where you can connect with other Premium Members and interview guests to help, support and motivate you to take ideas you hear in each episode and put them into action. The group also has FB live video tutorials, role-play, and special live interviews. You will not find more friendly, motivated, caring and sharing photographers online. Seriously, that's not all.

AI is like a flood coming. You need to move to higher ground. Faster websites, more SEO, more content and more Instagram won’t save a weak business model. They’ll just amplify it.
— Alex Vita

In addition to everything above, you'll get access to instructions on forming or joining a MasterMind Group with other premium members. These groups are super motivating, hold you accountable, and help you build friendships with other pro photographers who share your goals—to build a more successful photography business.

What is your big takeaway?

Following this interview, I’d love to know if you're taking anything from what Alex shared. Is there something you heard that excited or motivated you to the point where you thought, yeah, I'm going to do that! If so, leave your thoughts in the comments below; let me know your takeaways and what you plan to implement in your business based on today's episode.

Your website is no longer just the destination. It’s also the source. It’s where AI learns who you are, what you do, and whether you’re worth recommending.
— Alex Vita

If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Alex, or a way to thank her for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below.

A few years ago, photographers were saying, ‘I need a website.’ Now it’s, ‘I made a website this morning, but something feels off.’ That’s the shift. — Alex Vita

iTunes Reviews and Shout-outs

I check for any new iTunes or Google reviews each week, and it's always a buzz to receive these… for several reasons. Firstly, it's confirmation that I'm on the right track with the interviews and that they are helping you improve your photography business. That's awesome! Secondly, iTunes and Google are the most significant podcast search engines, and your reviews and ratings help other photographers find PhotoBizX. More listeners mean more interviews and, ultimately, a better show.

SEO is not dead. The fundamentals still matter: clear site structure, fast pages, and real content. That’s still the foundation. — Alex Vita

If you have left a review in the past, thank you! If you haven't and you'd like to, head to https://photobizx.com/itunes or https://photobizx.com/google. You can leave some honest feedback and a rating, which will help me and the show. I'll be sure to thank you on the show and add a link to your website or blog if you let me know the URL of your website and your name. Alternatively, if you've left a review for PhotoBizX and are looking for more backlinks to help your SEO, leave a review for the new Photography Xperiment Podcast. Email me your keywords or phrases and where you'd like me to link them.

We’re moving deeper into a zero-click world. It’s no longer just about getting people onto your website. You need to be recommended by AI overviews and cited by AI models. — Alex Vita

Another great way to get a backlink to your site is to send a video testimonial. It doesn't need to be fancy, and your phone will be perfect. Click record and tell me how PhotoBizX has impacted you and your photography business.​