How to Get Found on ChatGPT as a Photographer

Over the last few months, I’ve had several new clients tell me they found me on ChatGPT.

Not Google.
Not Instagram.
ChatGPT.

That’s when I realized something is shifting.

Search isn’t disappearing — but discovery is evolving.

At PMRE (Photo & Media for Real Estate), I heard Jared Bauman, CEO of 201 Creative, speak about something called Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). The concept stuck with me.

Later, I wrote a recap article about PMRE on my website. Jared found it and reached out asking me to link his site properly for SEO reasons — which was ironically exactly what he teaches.

That led to a 20-minute conversation about how photographers can position themselves to get found inside ChatGPT and other AI systems.

Here’s what we discussed — and what you should know.

What Is Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)?

Traditional SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is about ranking in Google.

Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is about optimizing your brand so AI tools like:

• ChatGPT
• Google AI Overviews
• Perplexity
• Other large language models (LLMs)

can understand you, reference you, and recommend you.

It’s not a replacement for SEO.

It’s an evolution.

As Jared explained, GEO isn’t “the future of marketing” on its own. It’s a component of a broader marketing ecosystem — just like SEO, social media, referrals, and paid ads.

Some people will use AI to discover photographers.
Others will still prefer Google.
Some will bounce between both.

But ignoring AI discovery would be a mistake.

Good SEO Translates to Good GEO

One of the most important takeaways:

If you’re doing good SEO, you’re already on the path to good GEO.

AI systems prioritize:

• Well-structured websites
• High-quality content
• Clear expertise
• Authoritative mentions
• Technical clarity

If your website is optimized properly and you consistently create strong content, you’re already positioning yourself well for AI visibility.

However, there are specific shifts photographers need to understand.

The Shift from Keywords to Entities

For years, SEO was keyword-driven.

“Los Angeles real estate photographer.”
“Luxury real estate photography.”
“Editorial photographer near me.”

Keywords still matter.

But the bigger shift is toward entities.

An entity is:

A person
A place
A business
A thing
An event

Your business is an entity.

Your personal brand is an entity.

Instead of obsessing over stuffing keywords into blog posts, the smarter approach is:

How do I strengthen my entity online?

That means:

• Getting mentioned on authoritative websites
• Publishing content that reinforces your expertise
• Building a clear, consistent brand identity
• Connecting your name, services, and specialty across platforms

This entity-driven mindset is increasingly important for both SEO and GEO.

Why Google Business Profile Is Still a Massive Unlock

One of the strongest parts of our conversation was about Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business).

I’ve personally started profiles in multiple cities. Each time, it has been one of the biggest drivers of inbound calls.

According to Jared, if you only had one to two hours per month to invest in visibility, start here.

Here’s what matters:

Choose the correct service category
Write a full, descriptive business description
List your services individually
Upload images consistently
Ask for reviews intentionally
Respond to every review
Use posts and Q&A features
Stay active monthly

It’s simple.

It’s free.

And most photographers underutilize it.

Technical Things AI Systems Value More Now

While fundamentals remain the same, Jared highlighted some areas LLMs seem to prioritize:

1. Descriptive Image Data

Don’t upload:
IMG_1047.jpg

Instead, use:
los-angeles-luxury-real-estate-photography-living-room.jpg

Add proper alt text. Reinforce context.

Photographers often overlook this.

2. Strong Title Tags and H1 Tags

Google sometimes rewrites title tags, but LLMs still heavily value descriptive H1s and clear page titles.

Clarity beats cleverness.

3. Schema Markup and Structured Data

Schema helps AI systems understand exactly what your business is, what services you offer, and where you operate.

It may feel technical — but it helps machines interpret your entity correctly.

If You Only Have 1–2 Hours a Month

This was one of the most practical parts of the conversation.

If your time is limited, focus on:

• Being active monthly on your Google Business Profile
• Systematically asking for reviews
• Updating one piece of content per month

AI systems favor fresh content.

Instead of constantly creating new blog posts, consider refreshing an older one:

• Add updated insights
• Improve formatting
• Strengthen clarity
• Add structured data
• Reinforce your entity

Freshness signals authority.

And it helps both SEO and GEO.

Why I Might Be Showing Up in ChatGPT

During our conversation, we explored why my name — not just my business — may be appearing in AI searches.

Over the years, I’ve:

• Published consistent blog content
• Built a YouTube channel
• Reinforced my niche positioning
• Labeled myself clearly as a luxury real estate photographer
• Connected my personal brand to my services

That entity clarity likely helps AI systems understand what I do and who I am.

This isn’t about tricks.

It’s about alignment and consistency.

Is AI Discovery Going to Replace Google?

No.

But it will influence how people research, compare, and make decisions.

Just like SEO in the early 2000s created massive opportunities for those who paid attention early, GEO represents a similar moment.

The photographers who:

• Build strong entities
• Maintain technical clarity
• Stay active on Google Business Profile
• Produce quality content
• Update their sites consistently

will likely benefit the most.

Final Thoughts

This isn’t about abandoning SEO.

It’s about expanding your awareness.

AI tools like ChatGPT are already influencing how clients discover photographers.

The question isn’t whether this shift is happening.

It’s whether you’re positioning your brand to benefit from it.

If you’re curious how well your site is positioned to show up in ChatGPT and other AI tools, Jared offers a free GEO Snapshot Audit through 201 Creative.

It looks at five key elements of your site and gives you a quick picture of how prepared your brand is for AI discovery.

You can check it out here:
https://201creative.com/geo-snapshot/

If you’re serious about getting found in 2026 and beyond, it’s worth taking a look.

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