Have you ever found yourself clicking on Google when you have a question related to your photography business? But then you’re left wondering what strategies really work, what tools and resources are actually worth the investment, and where to go from there.
When I first started my wedding photography business, I was in the exact same boat. Truth be told, I honestly spent way too much time testing and trying out various platforms.
However, what I really needed was for someone who was already in the business to tell me what tools and resources would actually save me time and help me grow, instead of starting a bunch of free trials and struggling to find tools and resources that were easy to get set up, learn, and get up off the ground and running quickly.
All of the tools and resources I’ve shared here are currently what I use in my own business and come with a glowing recommendation from me – they’ve significantly simplified my processes and made managing my business and all of the work that goes on behind-the-scenes so much easier.
These are the tools and resources I actually use and would recommend over and over again. Let’s get into it!
The Exact Tools & Resources I Use to Grow My Photography Business (and How They Can Help You Too)
HoneyBook: Client Management System
HoneyBook is an all-in-one system that keeps me organized and allows me to serve my clients best. From invoices to contracts to client communication – everything is stored in one place, which makes serving clients seamless. I also found the setup to be super easy (and painless).
Another feature of HoneyBook that I really like is that it keeps track of all of your back and forth with clients, making it easy to go back through previous communication to see what was sent. They also have a great chat support team that responds quickly and is very helpful for any questions that you may have!
If you decide you want to invest in HoneyBook, make sure to use this link for 30% off your first year!
Pic-Time: Photo Delivery
For years, I used Pixieset and switched to Pic-Time within the last year, and I so badly wish I had made the switch sooner. Pic-Time feels so much more modern and with the times. It’s aesthetic for clients while they view their galleries, user-friendly, and easy to upload/deliver galleries.
You can get one month of Pic-Time free using this link!
Mila Note
Mila Note is similar to Asana or monday.com, but in my opinion, it’s so much better. It’s a drag-and-drop workspace, which is great for brainstorming and project planning. It also has lots of customization, so your workspace can look exactly how you want it to! You can check out more about Mila Note here!
Rella: Social Media Planning
Coming from someone who feels like they’ve tried nearly every other social media planning app under the sun (Later, Buffer, Sprout Social, etc), Rella has been a game-changer and gets a 10/10 from me!
It is a social media planning platform that allows you to plan, schedule, and automate your content. You can also easily cross-share content throughout platforms!
You can start a free trial with Rella here!
Flodesk: Aesthetic Email Marketing
Flodesk is my favorite way to send out mass emails. If you want to create an email list to connect with your audience or share helpful info, Flodesk is perfect for that. It’s incredibly user-friendly and allows you to create branded emails, landing pages, and forms while categorizing those who subscribe by different audience types, so you can select who receives which email.
With Flodesk, you can easily build waitlists and forms that work for your website and can be linked to your social media. Also, if it’s something you need (and are interested in), they do have a checkout feature which allows you to sell products, services, and subscriptions within Flodesk.
You can get 25% off your first year with Flodesk using this link!
Showit: Drag-and-Drop Website Host
Showit is an incredible drag-and-drop website builder that gives you full design freedom, and it also integrates with WordPress.With this platform, you can design the website of your wildest dreams, as it’s like Canva but for website design. You have full design control and bring your website vision (whatever that looks like) to life.
It’s also super easy to use, and it’s my ride-or-die for website hosts. Again, I’ve tried a lot of different website platforms, but there’s nothing that tops Showit. My current website is built on Showit, and I’m obsessed with it!
Get your first month free by using this link!
Contracts: The Legal Paige
Invest in legal contracts to protect you and your clients. Need I say more? The Legal Paige is the go-to resource for photographers, and every contract they sell is written by licensed attorneys who specialize in working with creatives just like you, so you can rest assured that your business and work are protected.
Get 10% off your order by using this link!
Looking for a Photography Mentor?
I hope you found this guide on tools and resources for photographers helpful. I know that there are lots of different options out there, but these are the tools that have truly been a game-changer for me and my business, and I hope this saves you some time in your search.
Also, let’s be real for a moment, running a business is hard – especially if you’re doing everything solo. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, deflated, intimidated, isolated… you’re not alone. I’ve been there too and can tell you there’s light at the end of the tunnel.
Truth is, you don’t need to do it alone. If you’re looking for a photography mentor to help you simplify your processes (and save you loads of money), I would love to connect!
My 1:1 Mentorship Sessions are tailored to your unique needs, and no topics are off-limits! Let me step alongside you, not only as a mentor but as a friend and advocate. You can learn more about my photography mentorship service here!
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