Updated October 21, 2026
What your Websta profile should contain
Your profile page acts as a website for your photography business. It includes sections for your services, photos, rates, location, and contact details. Unlike a generic portfolio site, a Websta profile lets clients in your area request quotes or book directly through the platform.
Start with a clear description of what you photograph: portrait sessions, family photos, weddings, corporate events, product shots, or other specialties. People searching for a photographer need to know immediately whether you offer what they need.
Add photos to your profile - this is essential. Show your best work across the types of photography you offer. Clients judge photographers by their portfolio, so include a range of images that represent your style and skill. You can organize photos by service type.
Set up your services section. List each type of work you offer - for example, 'Portrait session', 'Wedding photography', 'Event coverage', 'Corporate headshots' - as separate entries. For each service, add a brief description of what the client receives: how long the session lasts, what's included, where you can shoot, and any other relevant details.
Add your location. This matters because people search for photographers in their area on Websta. If you cover multiple towns or regions in France, you can note your service area in your profile description.
Booking and quote requests
Websta offers two ways for clients to reach you: a contact form for messages and quote requests, or an online booking system for services you want to schedule directly through the platform.
Use quote requests if your pricing depends on the client's specific needs - for instance, wedding photography packages vary by duration and deliverables, or corporate shoots depend on scope. Clients fill out a form describing what they need, and you review their request and send a quote.
Use online booking for straightforward services with fixed details - for example, a one-hour portrait session on specific dates and times. Clients can see your availability and book directly.
Both options route inquiries to you so you can handle negotiations, contracts, and payment as you normally would.
Language and visibility in France
Publish your profile in French. This is the language most people in France use when searching for services. If you also speak English or another language and work with international clients, you can add English text to key sections, but French should be your primary language.
If you are an English-speaking expat or international photographer working in France, a bilingual profile works - but make sure French is clear and accurate. Clients searching on Websta in France search in French by default.
How people in France search for photographers on Websta
Websta has a marketplace where people nearby search for photographers by service and location. Someone looking for a wedding photographer in Lyon, for example, can search by service type and town, and see photographers in that area.
When you set up your profile, make sure your service descriptions and location are clear. Use the service names that people actually search for - 'wedding photography', 'portrait photography', 'event photography', and so on. Avoid vague language.
People also post tasks on the Websta marketplace describing what they need - 'I need a photographer for a birthday party in Paris on 15 March' - and providers, including you, can make offers. This is another way clients find you.
What you need to know about working independently in France
If you are a self-employed photographer (travailleur indépendant), you must register with the appropriate business authority. In France, this is typically the URSSAF (social contributions) and the commercial register (Registre du Commerce et des Sociétés) or craft register (Répertoire des Métiers), depending on your business structure. Check with your local CCI (Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie) or your accountant about which registration applies to you.
You are responsible for setting your own rates and terms of service. Websta does not set your prices. You keep full control of your pricing and what you charge clients.
When clients pay you through Websta, payments go to your own bank account via Stripe. You receive the money directly. Make sure your bank account and Stripe setup are correct before accepting payments.
As a self-employed photographer, you must handle your own taxes, social contributions, and insurance. Keep records of your income and expenses. Consider liability insurance if you work at events or on client premises. Consult a French accountant (expert-comptable) or tax advisor about your obligations - these vary depending on your income and structure.
What to write in your first hour
You do not need everything perfect before you launch. Start with the essentials:
Write a one or two sentence summary of your photography: what you specialize in and who you work with. Example: 'I photograph weddings and portraits in the Île-de-France region. I focus on natural light and candid moments.'
List your main services - wedding photography, portrait sessions, event coverage, or whatever applies to you. Write a short description for each one saying what the client gets.
Add your location and, if relevant, the towns or regions you serve.
Upload your five to ten best photos. These do not have to cover every service - just show your style and quality.
Add your contact method: either a contact form or, if you prefer, a note that people should message you through the platform with their inquiry.
Once your profile is live, you can refine it over time - add more photos, adjust descriptions, clarify your services. The important step is to get started so people in your area can find you.
Your profile and payment setup
When you set up payment on Websta, you connect your bank account through Stripe. This is how clients' card payments reach you. Make sure you have a French or EU bank account and that your Stripe account details match.
Your Websta profile is independent - it is your own web presence. You own the profile and the information on it. You can update it whenever you want and keep all the income you earn through bookings and quotes.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I list multiple photography services on my Websta profile?
- Yes. You can add separate services for each type of photography you offer - for example, 'Wedding photography', 'Portrait session', 'Event coverage', and 'Corporate headshots'. Each service can have its own description and booking or quote option.
- How do clients pay me if they book through Websta?
- Clients pay by card through Websta. The payment goes to your own bank account via Stripe. You set up your bank account and Stripe connection when you create your profile. You keep the full payment.
- Do I need special registration or permits to work as a photographer in France?
- Yes. You must register as self-employed with the URSSAF and either the commercial register or the craft register, depending on your business structure. Contact your local CCI or a French accountant to confirm the exact requirements for your situation. You are also responsible for your own taxes and social contributions.
- Should I use booking or quote requests for my photography services?
- Use quote requests if your pricing depends on the client's needs - for wedding or event work where scope varies. Use booking if you offer fixed-price services at set times. You can use both on the same profile.
- What language should I use on my Websta profile in France?
- French is the main language, since people search in French. If you work with international clients, you can add English to key sections, but make French your primary language.
About the numbers
Counts in this guide were read from the Websta catalogue when the text was written and are refreshed above from the live catalogue. Part of the catalogue was built from the public business register and is marked as such on each profile.