Photographer’S Guide To Staying Sane & Organized
Running a successful photography business entails more than just taking photos. It requires careful organization and attention to detail in various aspects. One crucial aspect is maintaining a detailed calendar to schedule shoots, client meetings, editing sessions, and administrative tasks. Whether you are a pen-and-paper person or prefer to use technology, there are tons of ways to stay organized in a way that works for you. My favorite place to get “pen and paper” planners from is Plum Paper Planners. Plum Paper offers an array of design templates to choose from, or you can create a customized planner from scratch to meet your exact business and personal needs! If you prefer carrying your planner with you on your phone or computer, I recommend getting to know Google Calendar. It’s easy and free to use, can sync to most CRM calendars, and can be color coded. You can also set calendar reminders and alerts to keep you on task. Having an effective and up-to-date calendar helps photographers manage their time effectively.
Another important consideration is establishing a systematic file management system to keep digital files organized and easily accessible. By utilizing software solutions for client management and invoicing, photographers can streamline their workflow. Some popular CRM websites are Honeybook, Dubsado, and 17 Hats. If you’re looking for a website/CRM combo, Pixieset recently released its studio management tool that incorporates right into your website.
Additionally, regular updates to financial records, tracking expenses and income, and maintaining financial organization are essential. A great tool for this is Quickbooks. If you sign up for their Self-Employed version, they have an app that will automatically track your miles and expenses for you. All you have to do is swipe left or right on each item to categorize it as “personal” or “business,” which makes taxes a whole lot simpler.
Lastly, reviewing and updating business goals and creating to-do lists can help prioritize tasks and ensure nothing is overlooked. By implementing these strategies, photographers can stay organized, increase productivity, and deliver exceptional service to their clients. These practices contribute to the overall success of a photography business.
