The Right Way to Name and Save Your Photos (So Clients, Google, and Your Future Self Can Find Them)
Let’s be real: Most photographers spend hours perfecting their edits, only to dump files into folders named “Final_Final_EDITED_v2.jpg.” Sound familiar? Whether you're sharing work online, delivering to clients, or building your portfolio, how you name and save your files matters more than you think.
It’s not just about staying organized. It’s about showing up professionally, protecting your work long-term, and making sure your images are discoverable by clients, by Google, and by you (six months from now when a client asks for that “blue dress shoot”).
In this guide, you’ll learn:
The difference between hyphens, underscores, and spaces in filenames (and what Google prefers)
How to structure your file names for internal use vs SEO
The best folder structure to stay organized without overcomplicating it
What to avoid if you want to keep your files safe, searchable, and shareable
TL;DR:
| Use Case | Recommended Separator |
|---|---|
| SEO on websites | - (Hyphen) |
| File Organization | _ (Underscore) |
| Avoid at all costs | Spaces |
Ideal Folder Structure for Photographers
If you're still dragging files into random folders on your desktop, it’s time to level up. Here's a simple structure that works for almost every genre of photography, from portraits to weddings to commercial work:
Year > Client or Project Name > Shoot Type > Deliverables
Example:
2024/TysonRitter_Portrait/RAW/EDITS/DELIVERED/
Pro Tip: Use consistent folder naming and avoid clutter like “FINAL_EDITED_NEWEST.” If needed, use dates or version numbers.
Example:
TysonRitter_Portrait_2024-03-14_v2.jpg
Why This Matters:
Professionalism: Clean file structures make you look more legit when handing off files to clients, agencies, or collaborators.
Speed: Need to find an image from 2022 for a reprint or social campaign? A solid structure gets you there fast.
Backups: External hard drives and cloud storage tools (like Dropbox, Google Drive, or Backblaze) sync better when your structure is clean and predictable.
Automation: Naming conventions and folder structures unlock the ability to automate tasks using Lightroom presets, Bridge batch renaming, or AI culling tools like Aftershoot.
What to Avoid at All Costs
Spaces in Filenames: These break URLs and can cause syncing or scripting issues.
ALL CAPS: Looks amateur and is harder to scan quickly.
Generic Filenames: “IMG_0042.jpg” helps no one, not you, not your client, not Google.
No Backups: If it only lives on your laptop, it’s one spilled coffee away from disappearing.
When to Use - vs. _ in Your File Naming Convention
Using underscores (_) instead of spaces when naming photos is better for several key reasons, especially when thinking about SEO, sharing, and consistency across platforms:
Web and URL Compatibility
Spaces break URLs and are automatically converted into %20 (e.g., my photo.jpg becomes my%20photo.jpg), which looks messy and can confuse users.
Underscores (_) or hyphens (-) are more URL-safe and consistent.
SEO Considerations
Google treats hyphens (-) as word separators but does not treat underscores as separators.
So john-smith-photo.jpg is better for SEO than john_smith_photo.jpg.
If SEO is a priority (e.g., on websites, blogs, Pinterest), use hyphens instead of underscores.
Software and Scripting Compatibility
Many systems (like programming scripts or databases) and tools (like Lightroom, Bridge, FTP clients) handle underscores more predictably than spaces.
Spaces can cause errors or require extra encoding/escaping in code or batch processing.
Cross-Platform Consistency
Some operating systems and platforms (especially older ones) don't handle spaces well in filenames, while underscores are universally safe.
Final Thoughts
Your images might speak for themselves, but how you name and save them determines whether anyone ever finds them. A clean, intentional workflow doesn’t just save you time, it makes you look more professional, improves your SEO, and sets the foundation for scaling your business.
Minor tweaks like this aren’t just about being organized, they’re about being discoverable, referable, and hireable.