4 Essential Tools for Your Photography Business

I still remember when I was first starting out as a photographer and felt like I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. Spoiler: I really didn’t know what I was doing. Those first couple of years were basically one big experiment in trial and error (with lots of errors). Like most new photographers, I started by using whatever programs I heard other photographers talking about. Of course there’s the classic combo of Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, but over the years I’ve found a few other tools that have been complete game changers for my business. Today I want to share some of those with you so you can skip a little bit of that trial-and-error phase.

These tools for your photography business will help streamline your workflow and enhance your creativity.

1. Narrative – Narrative is the reason blogging finally became manageable for me instead of something I avoided and dreaded. It’s actually what I use to build out and publish my blog posts. If you’ve tried blogging before, you already know how frustrating it can feel—especially when you have tons of images to upload and arrange—but blogging is so important for your SEO and for keeping your content fresh and up to date. Narrative makes the whole process so much easier and faster, especially for photographers who blog a lot of image-heavy posts.

1. Dropbox – You’ve probably heard of Dropbox, but if you’re not actively using it in your business yet, it’s worth a second look. Dropbox is an easy way to store and share files in the cloud, and it’s especially helpful when you’re getting started with client gallery delivery and need something simple and reliable. I also use it to automatically back up all my phone photos. It syncs straight from my phone, which means if anything ever happens to it, I don’t have to panic about losing personal photos or behind-the-scenes content.

2. Photo Mechanic – Photo Mechanic is one of those programs I wish I had known about from day one. Honestly, it’s a total lifesaver. Any time I tell another photographer about it, they usually end up messaging me later, wondering how they ever lived without it. In short, Photo Mechanic helps you cull your images fast. I use it right after a session or wedding to ingest (import) photos from my cards, quickly scroll through and choose my keepers, and mark and discard the ones I don’t want. It’s so much faster than trying to cull directly in Lightroom. Instead of waiting for previews to load forever, Photo Mechanic lets you move through images at lightning speed, which is a huge deal if you’re shooting a lot. It’s a one-time purchase, and then you’re done—no monthly subscription.

1. Dubsado – If you’re just starting out as a photographer—or even if you’ve been doing this for many years—having a solid client management system will save your sanity. Dubsado is my go-to. It offers peace of mind, organization, and support in almost every area of your business… yes, even finances. They offer a free trial, and I highly recommend setting it up before you get super busy and overwhelmed. This is one of those systems I really wish I had from the very beginning of my business. Back in the day, I used to have clients print off their contracts, sign them, and mail them back to me. Now, everything is streamlined: clients receive their contract by email, sign electronically, pay their retainer online, and have a client portal where they can see invoices, payment plans, questionnaires, and more. It’s better for you and for your clients, and it makes you look incredibly professional.
   I hope this post helps you feel a little more equipped and a little less overwhelmed as you get your photography business up and running. These tools have made a huge difference for me—saving time, cutting stress, and letting me focus more on creating and serving my clients well. Keep creating, keep striving to be better, and never stop learning. You’ve got this. And if you ever need help or have questions about getting started, systems, or workflows, send me a message. I genuinely love helping other photographers grow their businesses.