Photography Workflow & Programs
What people don’t know about photography is the whole backend that has to work in order to make the session and communications run smoothly. That is where the software and programs are KEY to success in the business. I’ve been through so many website hosting websites, contract softwares and programs, and a ton of editing over the 7+ years I’ve been a photographer and I’ve definitely found the “OG” ones that are right for me, and right for my business and brand.
With my workflow beginnings, we are going to start with HONEYBOOK.
CONTRACTS/INVOICES
Honeybook is a website where you can send contracts, invoices, electronic brochures, connect with other creatives, keep track of expenses and costs, and SO MUCH MORE. As soon as a client reaches out to me that they would like to book a session, I open Honeybook, put in their information, and then send them my contract with the invoice so they have all the information they need to know what goes into their session along with the knowledge of how to pay, the session cost, and the ability to do a payment plan. It’s also, so nice to have a back up of all my session info for the beloved tax season each year.
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EDITING SOFTWARE
After the session is done, you have all your RAW images, I upload all the images to my computer, cull the photos, and then upload them to LIGHTROOM. Lightroom is my go-to for most of my editing process. I’ve even been able to create my own presets to make my editing style all cohesive and unique to my brand! It’s very user-friendly as well and pretty easy to learn! Try out Lightroom!
Once the photos are finished with my Lightroom processes, if I need to do some detailed “fine-tuning,” I upload the exported JPEG’s to PHOTOSHOP. Photoshop (in my opinion) is quite a bit more complicated to learn than Lightroom. I swear I learn something still, each day I use that software. I mainly use Photoshop for skin retouching, frequency separation, double exposures, etc. It’s such a fun process to add to your workflow the more you learn from it! Try out Photoshop!
GALLERY DELIVERY PROGRAM
SmugMug has been the BOMB. This is how I deliver the digital images to my clients once the photos are all done and edited. I’m able to upload the high-resolution images to a private gallery, send the client the link, and they are able to download the images right to their desktop. Also, I have the SmugMug plan that lets me have unlimited space to upload my photos so it gives me such a good way to double “back-up” my photos online. Try SmugMug out!
WEBSITE HOST
Squarespace has been phenomenal when it comes to designing my own website, and making it unique to my brand so my clients can get all the information they need right in one space! They also have an amazing support team that can help you and that are FAST with getting back to you. I love that I am able to show my portfolio, pricing information, contact page, and so much more all on my website. I have absolutely no prior knowledge with how to do code for a website or anything. I’m clueless. Squarespace made it so easy to design right from the beginning with their professional templates, page layouts, and guides. Try out Squarespace!
Those are my main squeezes when it comes to workflow programs! Go check them out!