As a photographer, you know the power of a perfect image. But what about the perfect website to display your work?
In this article, we’ll explore the 10 best Shopify themes for photography stores in 2024.
We gathered the details of each theme using the theme detector feature of our custom tool Koala Inspector. You can try our Shopify theme detector feature for free to explore the theme behind any Shopify site.
10 Best Shopify Themes for Photographers
| Rank | Theme | Price | Rating | Mobile Page Speed | Developer | Customization Level | Theme Styles | Shopify 2.0 Compatible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Highlight | $280 | 95% (40 reviews) | 75/100 | Krown Themes | High | 3 Styles (Modern, Single, Art) | Yes |
| 2 | Icon | $280 | 93% (347 reviews) | 31/100 | We are Underground LLC | High | 4 Styles (Dolce, Christian, Yves, Vera) | Yes |
| 3 | California | $240 | 97% (79 reviews) | 76/100 | Small Victories | High | 4 Styles (Generic, Startup, Fashion, Art) | Yes |
| 4 | Focal | $320 | 96% (278 reviews) | 72/100 | Maestrooo | High | 4 Styles (Carbon, Ivory, Quartz, Sapphire) | Yes |
| 5 | Exhibit | $350 | 100% (6 reviews) | 55/100 | Switch | High | 4 Styles (Art, Photography, Design, Home) | Yes |
| 6 | Iris | $300 | 50% (2 reviews) | 54/100 | Mana Themes | Low | 2 Styles (Default, Clean) | Yes |
| 7 | Fame | $350 | 71% (7 reviews) | 58/100 | Shine Dezign Infonet | Medium | 4 Styles (Dark, Bold, Hunger, Crystal) | Yes |
| 8 | Essence | $250 | 100% (2 reviews) | 78/100 | Alloy Themes | High | NA | Yes |
| 9 | Mono | $200 | 98% (62 reviews) | 58/100 | Slash Themes | High | 3 Styles (Vanilla, Folk, Handcraft) | Yes |
| 10 | Motion | $360 | 97% (486 reviews) | 49/100 | Archetype Themes | High | 3 Styles (Classic, Elegent, Minimal) | Yes |
Highlight
Highlight showcases your photos beautifully. Its clean layout puts your images front and center, letting customers focus on your work. Perfect for photographers who want their art to speak for itself.
Developer – Krown Themes
Price – $280
Theme Styles – 3 Styles (Modern, Single, Art)
Shopify 2.0 compatible – Yes
Speed – 75/100
Customization Level: High
Rating –95% (40 reviews)
Theme Features
Creative layout
Storytelling
Drag & Drop
Showcasing collections
Brand details and promotions
Pros
The user-friendly interface and drag-and-drop functionality
Your photographs are the primary point
Well-suited for sharing the creative process or showcasing curated collections
Cons
Highlight currently offers only 3 pre-designed styles (Modern, Single, and Art)
Who Is the Theme For?
New photographers who are establishing their online presence for the first time
Fine art photographers since the clean design perfectly aligns with fine art pieces
Editorial and life photographers
Icon
Icon’s bold design makes your photos pop. Its large image displays and customizable galleries help your work stand out. Great for photographers looking to make a strong visual impact.
Developer – We are Underground LLC
Price – $280
Theme Styles – 4 Styles (Dolce, Christian, Yves, Vera)
Shopify 2.0 compatible – Yes
Speed – 31/100
Customization Level: High
Rating – 93% (347 reviews)
Theme Features
Visually captivating design
Parallax scrolling
Hotspots that link directly to products
Quick shop modal
Product tag filtering
Pros
Features designed to boost conversions (product filtering options, quick shop models, and CTAs)
The theme allows for a good degree of customization
A suite of features (navigation, mega menus, and social sharing buttons)
Cons
Icon has a slightly slower loading speed, and this is a factor to consider
Who Is the Theme For?
Product-based photographers who sell prints, merchandise, or other products
Portrait and fashion
Photographers who have a larger product inventory and are seeking to grow their online sales
California
California’s airy, bright design complements your photos. Its spacious layout gives each image room to breathe, creating a gallery-like feel that elevates your photography.
Developer – Small Victories
Price – $240
Theme Styles – 4 Styles (Generic, Startup, Fashion, Art)
Shopify 2.0 compatible – Yes
Speed – 76/100
Customization Level: High
Rating – 97% (79 reviews)
Theme Features
Clean design
User-friendly navigation
Mobile and tablet optimization
Product discoverability with a clean layout
Amazing optional features
Pros
A good degree of customization to tailor the look to match your brand identity
Works seamlessly with the latest Shopify features
Cons
A small selection of pre-designed styles – this might require more customization to achieve your desired look
Who Is the Theme For?
All-around photographers – from portraiture to landscapes
Photographers who offer a wide range of prints, packages, or services
Focal
Focal lives up to its name, drawing attention to your best shots. Its flexible image layouts let you create striking visual stories, ideal for photographers with diverse portfolios.
Developer – Maestrooo
Price – $320
Theme Styles – 4 Styles (Carbon, Ivory, Quartz, Sapphire)
Shopify 2.0 compatible – Yes
Speed – 72/100
Customization Level: High
Rating – 96% (278 reviews)
Theme Features
Grid-style design
Product recommendations on product
Cart pages
An “Add to Cart” function
Built to handle many transactions
Pros
Highly customizable theme to match the brand identity
Built-in storytelling sections
Blog posts, detailed descriptions, or other text-based content
Cons
Some may find the grid style a little overwhelming
Who Is the Theme For?
Lifestyle and product photographers
Brand-focused photographers
Exhibit
Exhibit turns your store into a virtual gallery. Its professional design and customizable collections help you present your photos in their best light, just like in a real exhibition.
Developer – Switch
Price – $350
Theme Styles – 4 Styles (Art, Photography, Design, Home)
Shopify 2.0 compatible – Yes
Speed – 55/100
Customization Level: High
Rating – 100% (6 reviews)
Theme Features
Versatile grids and carousels
Slideshows and video integration
A streamlined setup process
Quick launch of the online store
Hero logo placement
Pros
Clean layouts and multiple display options evoke a museum-like atmosphere
Presentation options that give freedom for tailoring the gallery
Functionalities like product filtering, sorting, and recommended products
Cons
Due to being a newer theme, Exhibit has a limited number of reviews available
Who Is the Theme For?
Fine art & curated photography
Photographers who value control
New photographers launching online stores
Iris
Iris’s elegant design enhances your visual storytelling. Its smooth scrolling and full-width images create an immersive experience, perfect for showcasing photo series or collections.
Developer – Mana Themes
Price – $300
Theme Styles – 2 Styles (Default, Clean)
Shopify 2.0 compatible – Yes
Speed – 54/100
Customization Level: Low
Rating – 50% (2 reviews)
Theme Features
Elegant and user-friendly design
30 customizable sections
Mobile-optimized layout
User-friendly interface
Subtle animations and an elegant design guide
Pros
A focus on mobile optimization and an intuitive interface
Visual comparisons and creative showcases
Robust set of functionalities like product filtering, sorting, and marketing tools
Cons
Iris only offers a few pre-designed styles, which means more customization is needed to achieve the desired look
Who Is the Theme For?
Photographers who prioritize user experience
Established photographers with diverse products
Fame
Fame puts your photography in the spotlight. Its magazine-style layout and featured image sections help your work grab attention, great for photographers aiming to build their brand.
Developer – Shine Dezign Infonet
Price – $350
Theme Styles – 4 Styles (Dark, Bold, Hunger, Crystal)
Shopify 2.0 compatible – Yes
Speed – 58/100
Customization Level: Medium
Rating – 71% (7 reviews)
Theme Features
Creative layouts and storytelling elements
Smooth product discovery and checkout
Amazing user experience
A wide range of customizable sections
Stunning pre-designed styles
Pros
Over 25 customizable sections and a variety of pre-designed styles
Sticky carts and strategically placed promotional elements
A suite of functionalities, including product filtering, marketing tools, and mobile optimization
Cons
With a wide range of customization options, Fame might have a steeper learning curve compared to simpler themes
Who Is the Theme For?
Brand-conscious photographers
Storytelling photographers
Photographers with high sales volume
Essence
Essence’s minimalist design lets your photos shine. Its clutter-free interface ensures nothing distracts from your images, ideal for photographers with a clean, modern aesthetic.
Developer – Alloy Themes
Price – $250
Theme Styles – NA
Shopify 2.0 compatible – Yes
Speed – 78/100
Customization Level: High
Rating – 100% (2 reviews)
Theme Features
26 customizable sections
User-friendly settings
Specifically designed features to boost conversions
Quick buy options
Cross-selling products
Pros
A smooth browsing experience with a fast loading speed
Longer-form text sections for sharing creative processes or detailed product descriptions
Cons
There is not so much information available about pre-designed styles or additional features
Who Is the Theme For?
Brand-oriented photographers
Photographers focused on sales
Photographers with text-based content
Mono
Mono’s sleek, monochromatic design provides a sophisticated backdrop for your photos. Its contrast-rich layout makes your images pop, perfect for black-and-white or color photography alike.
Developer – Slash Themes
Price – $200
Theme Styles – 3 Styles (Vanilla, Folk, Handcraft)
Shopify 2.0 compatible – Yes
Speed – 58/100
Customization Level: High
Rating – 98% (62 reviews)
Theme Features
SEO Optimization
The theme’s design elements guide visitors toward making purchases
Product filtering
Inventory management
Customer reviews
Pros
Mono’s functionalities cater to both new and established businesses
The theme is known for its user-friendly interface
Cons
The design might not be as visually striking as some other options
A smaller range of pre-designed styles compared to some competitors
Who Is the Theme For?
New & established online stores
SEO-focused businesses
Businesses focused on conversions
Motion
Motion brings your photos to life. Its dynamic design elements and smooth transitions create an engaging browsing experience, ideal for photographers who want to add a touch of interactivity to their store.
Developer – Archetype Themes
Price – $360
Theme Styles – 3 Styles (Classic, Elegant, Minimal)
Shopify 2.0 compatible – Yes
Speed – 49/100
Customization Level: High
Rating – 97% (486 reviews)
Theme Features
A toolbox with over 20 customizable sections
Product sales points
Multiple landing page options
Smooth, high-quality animations
Collage options on both the list and callout sections
Pros
The theme’s functionalities are to incorporate storytelling elements
Motion is built to handle high-volume stores
Boosts conversions and increases sales
Cons
With a wide range of features and customization options, Motion might have a steeper learning curve compared to simpler themes
Motion falls on the higher end of the price spectrum
Who Is the Theme For?
Brand-conscious businesses
Storytelling businesses and the ones willing to invest
High-volume stores
What Makes a Good Shopify Theme for Photographers?
What are the hallmarks of a truly exceptional Shopify photography theme. The theme needs to be the foundation upon which you build your online gallery – the space where visitors enjoy your visual artistry.
High-Resolution Image Support
Your photographs deserve to be presented in all their glory. The best Shopify theme for photographers should seamlessly display high-resolution images without compromising loading speed. Visitors need to be able to appreciate the details and captivating emotions within your work.
Portfolio Showcase Options
A wide range of layouts and functionalities is important when presenting your portfolio. For example, captivating grids that present your specifically selected work or dynamic carousels that allow the visitors to navigate easily through a series of images.
Image Gallery Customization
A great photography Shopify theme empowers you to customize the look and feel of your image galleries. This involves selecting color palettes, choosing fonts that resonate with your brand voice, or incorporating design elements that reflect your artistic approach.
SEO Optimization for Images
SEO is crucial for making your work reach the right audience. A great theme integrates with SEO best practices for images. This includes features that allow you to incorporate proper alt-text tagging, giving search engines valuable context about your photographs. Fast loading is also essential, as a visitor is unlikely to wait for slow-loading pages.
Integration With Social Media and Sharing Options
The beauty of photography lies in its ability to awaken emotions and connect with them on a personal level. A good theme facilitates the sharing of your work on social media platforms. This can be a strategically placed social media button that allows visitors to share their favorite photographs with their networks.
