As a photographer there are so many essential things that you need to run your business. For me and my business I have found the best tools to run my business and they are great for all photographers running their business.
You may feel very overwhelmed with all things out there that you need to be doing and all the programs out there that can help you. I have spent a lot of time exploring lots of options and finding what works great and what does not. In this article I have listed 10 of my favorite business tools for photographers. With each one I talk about what it is, why I like it, a link to check it out yourself, and then some of them even include a discount code if you want to try them out for yourself.
1. ADOBE – Editing
Lightroom is probably the one thing in my photography business that I use the most! It is where I do most of my editing after all. If you are a photographer or starting your photography journey and have not yet subscribed to lightroom, this is your sign to JUST DO IT! Lightroom is so amazing and has so many features that makes editing so simple and easy. I personally use Lightroom Classic, as do a lot of photographer that I talk to. I do also tend to use Photoshop here and there when I need a little something extra done when editing.
My subscription plan is to the Photographer plan that allows me to have both Photoshop & Lightroom for the price of $9.99. There are other options as well if you want more storage as well for $19.99. So still very reasonably priced for something you will use SO often in your business. If you are wanting to start using Lightroom and/or Photoshop for your business, here is the link to get you started. ADOBE
2. CLOUDSPOT – Gallery Delivery
CloudSpot is what I use as my Gallery Delivery. They by far have the best gallery deliveries! It is so user friendly for not only you as a photographer, but also for the Client. CloudSpot also has a great online and Social Media community that is so fun to be a part of.
On the gallery delivery side of it they have options to make your galleries absolutely beautiful. Honestly some of the pretty gallery options I have seen. They have an option to even have your clients to have an app for their gallery. Another feature I love is they have a store integrated in the galleries.
CloudSpot really is a great tool to invest in for awesome galleries for your clients. They have great plan options for whatever you are needing for your business. There plans are based on storage amount. So each plan includes ALL the same great features, you just have to decide how many sessions you have and how much storage you will need. They have a free option to get you started (this one does have a few limitations) and then have plans with 100gb, 350gb, and unlimited storage amounts. There prices range from $0 – $45 Monthly.
Here is where you can learn more about CloudSpot. CLOUDSPOT
CloudSpot is one of the places I have a discount for you to use if you are ready to join the CloudSpot family. DISCOUNT
3. SHOWIT – Website
Showit is THE BEST place to do your website!! Being a photographer, you really do need a good, professional website, and Showit really does just that. I again tried about half a dozen other website places before I found Showit and seriously nothing compares. From my experience Showit is the most user friendly and the most customizable. They have great templates you can use as well or can just start from scratch. Either way you can be sure your website will just be perfect for you. They also have options to integrate a blog on your website. Showit seriously just is one of the best business tools for photographers!
Showit is honestly one of the best website hosts out there. There website hosting is a little more expensive then most others but it is seriously so worth it! There plans range from $24-$39 monthly. I promise you won’t be disappointed with what Showit has to offer you. In this link you can learn more about Showit. Showit And in this link is where you can find my discount link where you will get one month free! Discount! Or just enter This Code (z688nbr9) for the same discount. 🙂
4. NARRATIVE SELECT – Culling
Narrative Select is the best culling software I have used. Before Narrative Select I was using Lightroom, Adobe Bridge, and even just looking through the photos on my desktop. Now I love Lightroom, it just is not so great for culling. Having a culling software is a MUST as a Photographer! And there are so many great ones out there, but I found Narrative Select and have not looked back.
Using Narrative Select is so simple. Its as easy as creating a project for the photoshoot, importing the photos, and choosing which photos are the best. They even have a close up panel where you check whose eyes are open and much more. It is life changing for culling.
I just love having Narrative Select it is one of the best culling software’s out there for sure and it is one of the best business tools for photographers for sure! They have a free option that works so well and they have their Pro version that has some cool upgrades and it is just $20 monthly. Truthfully I still use the free version and LOVE it! Here is a link to learn more about Narrative Select. Narrative S
5. CANVA – Designs
Canva is such a great business tool for really any business owner. They have so many amazing templates for whatever you need for your business. And you can do most things on the Free version as well.
Like seriously, if you need story highlights, promotional designs, IG carousels, and literally anything else you can find a template for in in Canva. Which saves so much time when you need something designed for your business. To learn more about Canva click on this link HERE!
6. BLOOM – CRM
I have tried almost a half dozen other CRMs in the past and so far Bloom has been hands down my favorite one! My favorite thing about Bloom is that they have automations. They also have workflows to see everything laid out so nicely, forms for questionnaires and leads, and a calendar that can be integrated with your Google Calendar.
There really is so much to love about Bloom. It really is one of the best business tools for photographers. Bloom has just about everything you could ever want or need in a CRM. It was also so easy to get set up.
I love that I have everything set up in automations so I am sure that I am not missing any sort of communication between my clients. And all within Bloom you can send Invoices, Contracts, Questionaries, Emails, and much more!
If Bloom sounds like it is something you want to try I have a discount code for you to try! By using it you can get 25% off your monthly subscription. Just click the word DISCOUNT! Their subscriptions start at $14 per month. And to learn more about Bloom Click HERE!
7. META BUUSINESS SUITE – Social Media Management
The Meta Business Suite is a free but powerful app to have if you have an Instagram and/or Facebook account for your photography business. You can post strait from the app to your accounts, cross post to your accounts, and even schedule your posts.
I use this app for posting all of my posts, because I am huge on the idea of scheduling my posts for the week. There are also so many other powerful tools in the app that I am just barly myself figuing out. To learn more about the app click HERE!
There really are so many great business tools out there for photographers. These are just a few of my favorites. If you are looking to change some of the tools you use or are looking for things to try as your first time, you really can’t go wrong with any of these options.
If we are meeting for the first time, HI! I’m McCaslin a family & senior photographer based in Southeast Idaho. To visit my website and see my work go here. MCZPhotography
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