SEO Pointers, Finding Direction

So I recently launched my photo site and wanted to dive into some SEO. The site is built up with a few pages. About me, gear, photo galleries, etc. and I also have a few posts up but not a whole lot else so far.

I got the Yoast SEO plugin because it seemed to be pretty well liked but I’m having trouble finding the direction/ It seems like Yoast takes a quality over quantity approach. Instead of trying to get you optimized through lots of different keywords it takes one specific topic and makes sure it carries on through a posts/sites different elements.

Again, I’m new at SEO and have only done a small bit of reading on it so far so correct me if I’m wrong.

Basically my issue is that my site is a photography site that showcases nature photos from my city and our two neighboring cities. When searching for photography in my area all that shows up is wedding and portrait photography businesses. I’d like to break apart from this group since it’s doesn’t match what my site is but I’m not sure the best way to do it.

Also, our region, the Fox Valley, consists of three cities. I’d like to have some sort of SEO for all of these cities since most people will search photography from their specific city rather than do a search for the broader “Fox valley” photos.

Anything to help me move in the right direction is appreciated. I’ll admit I’m a newb at SEO so any info is helpful.