In this post, we\u2019re going to discuss how to make a photo gallery within WordPress. From there, we\u2019ll look at a few customizations you can make to take your photo gallery from another contender to the heavyweight champion!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why You\u2019d Want to Show a Photo Gallery On Your WordPress Website<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
WordPress is tailor-made for the modern web, and this is because it\u2019s top-notch for displaying your media (such as video, GIFs, and images). We\u2019ll talk more about WordPress itself in a moment, but for now, consider the following benefits of using a photo gallery:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- You can showcase collections of images, and give them context and meaning.<\/li>
- You\u2019re able to dedicate specific space to batches of images, and display them in the right way.<\/li>
- You don\u2019t have to work with \u2018inline\u2019 images. In other words, the images can be an element in their own right, rather than part of your text content.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
A photo gallery can have a lot of uses, across lots of different niches. For example, an e-commerce business<\/a> could use a gallery to show different angles of a product, or various color schemes and designs of a single item.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition, a typical blogging site<\/a> could give some further context to the writing, and group images together. A photography site will obviously benefit from a photo gallery more than any other, as you could create albums based on different subject matter or projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In fact, with the right solutions in place, the sky\u2019s the limit when it comes to what you can achieve with your own photo galleries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why WordPress Is an Ideal Platform for Your Website<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Before we move on, it\u2019s worth noting what makes WordPress<\/a> so perfect for any type of website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"WordPress](\"https:\/\/imagify.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/wordpress-1024x465.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s a free, open-source Content Management System (CMS) that comes ready to rock and roll out of the box. What\u2019s more, it\u2019s a popular solution: It\u2019s used on over 42 percent of all websites<\/a>, and you can find it powering sites such as Rolling Stone<\/a>, Walt Disney<\/a>, Bloomberg<\/a>, and many more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the whole, WordPress is a secure, stable, scalable, and flexible CMS. The price is also right. What\u2019s more, there is a vast community of teachers, experts, and developers willing to lend a hand. The ecosystem is also packed to the gills with themes and plugins to help you build and publish your site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to Create an Image Gallery Using WordPress\u2019 Default Options<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
WordPress comes with lots of functional ways to add content to your site. For example, the Block Editor offers a dedicated Gallery Block that could suit your needs in a pinch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To find this, navigate to a post or page within WordPress, and take a look at the Block Editor. You\u2019ll want to click the Plus<\/em> icon next to an empty space, and find the Gallery Block:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/imagify.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/gallery-block-1024x665.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nIt might be that you have to search for it, but when you find it, click to add it to your content:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/imagify.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/gallery-upload-1024x496.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nHere, choose either to upload new images or choose from your WordPress Media Library. When the upload dialog opens, you can drag your images onto the screen and the process will begin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As an alternative, you can use existing images from within the Media Library:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/imagify.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/media-library-1024x582.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nWhen you\u2019re ready, click Create a new gallery<\/em>. At this point, you can add captions to each image and drag them into the right order. Note that you can also set your image metadata here \u2013 necessary for good Search Engine Optimization (SEO):<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/imagify.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/create-gallery-wordpress-1-1024x580.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nOnce you save your changes, you\u2019ll see the gallery within your post or page\u2019s content:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/imagify.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/gallery-block-editor-1024x585.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nYou can carry out some simple customizations from the right-hand sidebar, such as the number of columns, whether images have cropping applied, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Introducing the NextGEN Gallery Plugin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Of course, the default WordPress options to create a photo gallery have lots of applications, but you may need more. This is especially true if you work in a field such as e-commerce or photography that needs high-quality images and the means to display them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NextGEN Gallery<\/a> is the typical standard for adding a photo gallery within WordPress. It has millions of downloads, and just as many satisfied users:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"NextGEN](\"https:\/\/imagify.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nextgen-gallery-1024x327.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s a full gallery management system with the following essential features:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- A number of gallery and album styles for you to choose from.<\/li>
- Plenty of options to help you customize your gallery to your own requirements.<\/li>
- Integration with the Block Editor, so you can add your NextGEN galleries rather than use WordPress\u2019 own solution.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s lots more in the free version we haven\u2019t covered here, but there\u2019s even more in the premium solution<\/a> too. The price begins from around $25 per year for a single site, and you\u2019ll get even more for your money at higher tiers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to Create a Photo Gallery In WordPress Using NextGEN Gallery (in 3 Steps)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Over the next few steps, we\u2019re going to show you how to create a photo gallery with WordPress using NextGEN Gallery. In fact, this tutorial is a great way to see the power of the free version of the plugin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Install and Activate the NextGEN Gallery Plugin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Your first step should be to install and activate the NextGEN Gallery plugin. We\u2019re using the free version here, so you can do this through the Plugins > Add New<\/em> screen within WordPress:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/imagify.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/add-new-plugin-1024x314.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nOnce you click Install Now<\/em>, then Activate<\/em>, WordPress will do its thing and bring you to the NextGEN Gallery Overview<\/em> screen:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"NextGEN](\"https:\/\/imagify.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/gallery-overview-1-1024x562.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nYou\u2019ll notice a message at the top of the screen to run the Gallery Wizard, although you don\u2019t need this to take your first steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Add Your Images and Make Some Default Settings Tweaks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
To start creating your own gallery, click the NextGEN Gallery > Add Gallery \/ Images<\/em> link:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/imagify.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nextgen-add-gallery-1024x306.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nThis brings you to the image uploader:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Image](\"https:\/\/imagify.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/gallery-upload-1-1024x496.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nThis works in a similar way to the WordPress Media Library. You can drag images onto the uploader and import them from the Media Library<\/em> itself. Though, there\u2019s more here. For example, you can also upload an entire folder, which is great if you export from Capture One or Lightroom: You can drag it straight into WordPress and get to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you have your images within WordPress, you\u2019ll want to give your gallery a title using the text field, then click Create & Select<\/em> to build your new gallery. As an alternative, if you want to upload from the Media Library, you\u2019ll create your gallery first, then select your images from the familiar interface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The final step is to click the Import Images<\/em> button, and NextGEN Gallery will run through the import process. Once it\u2019s done, you can head to the Manage Galleries screen to get an overview of your image organization:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Manage](\"https:\/\/imagify.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/manage-galleries-1024x366.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nManaging your galleries is beyond the scope of this article, although we encourage you to look around here to see what you can achieve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To display your gallery, go back to a post or page and add a NextGEN Gallery Block using the search functionality within the Add Block<\/em> dialog:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"NextGEN](\"https:\/\/imagify.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nextgen-block-1-1024x592.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nThis will bring up the NextGEN customization options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"NextGEN](\"https:\/\/imagify.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nextgen-gallery-options-1024x585.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nFor now, we\u2019re going to use the Basic Thumbnails<\/em> option, and click Insert Gallery<\/em>. While you won\u2019t see a live preview within the Block Editor, you can see one using the dedicated WordPress Preview<\/em> links:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"WordPress](\"https:\/\/imagify.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/front-end-basic-gallery-1024x471.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nThis is almost all there is to create a WordPress image gallery. Though, there\u2019s much more scope at your disposal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Customize Your Photo Gallery to Your Unique Requirements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
While our image gallery is functional right now, it\u2019s not the best representation of the images themselves. We can fix this using the NextGEN Gallery options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To do this, head back to the Block Editor and click the Edit<\/em> button on your gallery. This will bring you back to the Choose Display<\/em> screen:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nYou can choose any available options here, then click the Insert Gallery<\/em> button again. To customize the gallery further, head to the NextGEN Gallery > Gallery Settings<\/em> screen within WordPress:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/imagify.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/gallery-settings-screen-1-1024x562.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nHere, you can alter lots of different options to make sure your chosen gallery meets your needs. With the Slideshow<\/em> gallery style, you can choose to set specific dimensions, autoplay the slideshow, set a transition style, and much more:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Slideshow](\"https:\/\/imagify.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/final-slideshow-1024x494.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nThe great thing about using NextGEN Gallery with the Block Editor is that the gallery will take on some of the properties of your whole design. This makes it a great option to integrate your image galleries into your site, and take them to the next level with customizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tips to Optimize Your Photo Gallery Once It\u2019s Online<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Once you have a photo gallery up and running on your site, you can start to think about other ways to make them more valuable and helpful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, there are three major considerations you\u2019ll want to make:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Make sure the images are fit for the web.<\/strong> You may already do this from within Capture One or Lightroom, but setting the right dimensions (around 2048px on the long side), and resolution (72 pixels per inch) will make sure your image is at the best quality, and helps your site perform in an optimal way.<\/li>
- Add metadata to your images.<\/strong> You can set this within the Media Library. The title of your image helps search engines understand what the visuals mean. The \u2018alt text\u2019 is crucial for accessibility, while your caption can help give context to some of your photos.<\/li>
- Optimize them using Imagify.<\/strong> Images for the web don\u2019t need to be huge in file size to be high quality. Using a solution such as Imagify<\/a> means you can preserve as much quality as possible, while shedding weight from the file itself.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Even these three straightforward optimizations could make your photo galleries a cut above the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wrapping Up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Photos make up much of the content on the web. Because of this, you\u2019ll want to leverage the benefits a well-placed image can do for you. To do this within WordPress, you could use the built-in gallery options. Though a solution such as NextGEN Gallery<\/a> can give you more styles to choose from, and a greater number of options for customization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s more, integrating a NextGEN gallery into WordPress is a piece of cake. First, select the Block, then edit the settings within the dedicated customization page. You can be up and running in about five minutes with a stellar-looking photo gallery \u2013 no code required!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you feel your images need a greater presence on your site, NextGEN Gallery<\/a> could help. There\u2019s a solution to fit your exact needs, including a free version with full functionality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Image credit: <\/em>Ryan McGuire<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n
![\"Imagify,](\"https:\/\/imagify.io\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/imagify\/assets\/img\/gwic-1.png\")
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- Add metadata to your images.<\/strong> You can set this within the Media Library. The title of your image helps search engines understand what the visuals mean. The \u2018alt text\u2019 is crucial for accessibility, while your caption can help give context to some of your photos.<\/li>
- Make sure the images are fit for the web.<\/strong> You may already do this from within Capture One or Lightroom, but setting the right dimensions (around 2048px on the long side), and resolution (72 pixels per inch) will make sure your image is at the best quality, and helps your site perform in an optimal way.<\/li>