Updated April 9, 2024
Starting a new photography business and not sure where to begin? We understand the feeling 100% and that is why we wanted to write this blog post about our favorite photography business apps that we use every day! When we first started Scenic Vows back in 2019, we were pretty clueless about how to run a business and it’s taken a lot of trial and error to get where we are now.
We learned quickly that running a successful photography business involves much more than just capturing stunning images. From managing clients and sessions to organizing your workflow and marketing your services, there are numerous tasks that demand your attention throughout the day. In the fast-paced world of photography, efficiency is key, and luckily, there’s a plethora of photography business apps designed to make your life easier. Let’s dive into the top 7 photography business apps every photographer needs to streamline their operations.
Photography Business Management Software
1. Honeybook: As photographers, client management is super important. Honeybook simplifies this process by offering tools for managing inquiries, sending contracts and invoices, and organizing client communication—all in one place. Its user-friendly interface and customizable templates make client interactions smooth and professional, freeing up valuable time for you to focus on your craft. It really is the number one photography business management software that we use.
We’ve been using Honeybook for almost 5 years now and while it has a bit of a learning curve when first starting out, we couldn’t imagine life without it! They offer a free 7-day trial to test it out to make sure it’s right for you and we have a 25% off discount code for when you’re ready to take the plunge to sign up for a year.
2. Pixieset: The work doesn’t end once the photo shoot is done! Delivering high-quality images to your clients in a sleek and professional manner is crucial for client satisfaction and referrals. Pixieset provides a user-friendly platform for showcasing your work, allowing you to create stunning client galleries and easily share them with your clients. Its built-in sales features also enable you to sell prints and digital downloads directly from your galleries, which our clients have found super easy to use. It also helps increase your sales after the shoot is finished.
Photography Business Apps for Organization
3. MileIQ: As you navigate between photo shoots and client meetings, tracking your mileage is essential for accurate expense reporting and tax deductions. MileIQ automates this process by automatically logging your drives and categorizing them for easy expense tracking. It’s super helpful when reporting to our accountant the amount of miles we drove throughout the quarter.
4. Calendly: While Honeybook has its own scheduling platform in the app, we’ve loved using Calendly over the years. It’s helped us stay organized and be able to manage client calls no matter where in the world we’re traveling to. Calendly streamlines this process by allowing clients to book appointments with you based on your availability. With customizable booking pages and automatic reminders, Calendly eliminates the back-and-forth of scheduling, allowing you to focus on what you do best—capturing beautiful moments.
5. Todoist: Another vital tool in keeping us organized is Todoist. It’s just what its name implies: a big to-do list! Managing your workflow and staying organized is essential for running a successful photography business. Todoist is a task management app that helps you stay on top of your to-do list, prioritize tasks, and track your progress. It really helps Brian and I know what tasks are high priority and need to get done as soon as possible.
Photography Editing Software
6. Adobe Creative Cloud: This might be a given for most photographers seeing as Photoshop and Lightroom are the top photography editing software in Adobe Creative Cloud. Adobe Creative Cloud provides powerful tools for editing, retouching, and organizing your photos. Its cloud-based storage also allows you to access your work from anywhere, making collaboration with clients and colleagues a breeze. If you are planning to start a photography business or just want to take your photography skills to the next level, Adobe is the photography editing software for you.
Search Engine Optimization Programs
7. Ubersuggest: We’ve used Ubersuggest here and there over the years but it wasn’t until earlier this year that we really started taking advantage of what a great tool it is! Ubersuggest is a powerful Search engine optimization program that helps you identify keywords and optimize your website for search engines, like Google or Bing. By providing valuable insights into keyword rankings, search volume, and competition, Ubersuggest empowers you to create targeted content that resonates with your audience and drives traffic to your website. If you’re struggling to rank on search engines, using a search engine optimization program like Ubersuggest can help greatly.
Honorable Mentions:
–Showit: Showit is a website builder specifically designed for creative professionals, making it easy to create stunning, customizable websites without any coding knowledge. Its drag-and-drop interface and beautiful templates allow you to showcase your portfolio in style, attracting potential clients and setting yourself apart from the competition.
–Photography Contract: One of the most important things to have in place when starting a business is a photography contract. We are so glad we found The Legal Paige early on in our photography business, especially when Covid days had things so up in the air. The Legal Paige has a variety of different photography contracts to suit your needs, from Adventure elopement photography contracts to interior design, there’s something for everyone.
Running a photography business is not easy, but with the right tools and resources at your disposal, you can streamline your operations and focus on what you love most—capturing beautiful moments. Whether you’re managing clients, organizing your workflow, or marketing your services, these photography business apps are sure to make your life easier and your business more successful. If you’re looking for information on what gear we use that we swear by, check out our list of top 10 must-have accessories for photographers!
