As someone who always has had serious FOMO, you can say I’ve been around the block when it comes to my business. I want to try it all and make sure I have the best of the best and I also DON’T like when people rep something (cause #influencers), and I end up trying something and it sucks.
I’ve made a list of my favorite software and apps that I use for my wedding photography business and I’ll even include a few other tips of other things I’ve tried. The most important tip: Find what works for you!
If you’re a beginner starting out, you may not need software this extensive. You might also just want to start out with the best of the best. There are many things to consider when choosing what platforms will be best for you and your business.
1. Dubsado – My favorite CRM
My favorite CRM! You already know I never just try one software. I previously used Tave for years and before that, 17 Hats. Each one was good for what it was in my business and just as times have changed and the CRM’s get better and better (and prettier.)
I feel like my business has THRIVED since fully setting up Dubsado. It makes my life so easy to automate, run an amazing business, it’s beautiful and it’s so perfect for keeping everything I need for weddings in one place.
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2. Showit – My favorite website builder
Showit has made it so easy to build out a high-end website without design or coding experience. My biggest thing is ease of use. I am NOT a designer, but you better believe a pretty website is a MUST for me. Along with SEO capabilities and a good user experience.
Showit checked all those boxes for me. While I have considered a custom WordPress website (for even better SEO and speed), the value of having Showit for customer service and to support me with any tech questions is invaluable. After my website went down a few times, I realized that I couldn’t keep up with dealing with IT issues on my own.
I would pay for Showit over and over and over.
3. Pic-time – for delivering photos
As a former Pixieset user, I’ve loved having Pic-time and I’ll never look back! I will say, I think Pixieset has really stepped it up with lots of features that Pic-time has, but after all these years, Pic-time still wins for me.
It’s allowed me to offer high-end products through high-end labs, but automated which makes the process easy and streamlined. The clients can even design their own albums and the options just really make your experience a more luxury option.
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4. Lightroom – for desktop and mobile photo editing
I couldn’t imagine editing any other way! Lightroom is what I’ve edited with since the beginning. I use Lightroom on my desktop and Lightroom mobile synced for any time I’m on the go. I also cull on Lightroom and love that it’s a one-stop shop for my images. I pair that with any advanced editing work with Photoshop.
I have considered using Capture One as my editing becomes more technical/advanced, but it also feels like an Apple VS. Android situation. I love how streamlined everything is with Lightroom.
5. Outsourcing to Retouch.com for Photoshop work
Honestly outsourcing to Retouchup.com has been my biggest flex of 2024. I can do basic photoshopping, but these people are PROS at what they do. Instead of stressing about head swaps or removing someone, I just send it off to Retouchup.
I don’t get Photoshop requests often, but after being in business for a while, I still have clients come to me with their photos for requests. Instead of saying I can’t remove a person, or change someone’s clothing, I can now say yes, send it off, and have it back within 48 hours.
Ah, the day and age where robots can edit your photos. Honestly, I love it. Anything to help my editing process. While it’s still been a learning curve and not always perfect, it’s still been a saving grace in 2023 and 2024. It’s only continued to get better and I think it’s something I’ll stick with for now.
I typically use it for editing wedding days as portrait sessions are much easier to control the light and editing a wedding is a little more all over the place.
7. Smart Albums – for designing photo albums
Album design and proofing. Also another favorite software! I started using SmartAlbums and SmartSlides in 2018. I think this is just a great way to elevate your business and experience, but not necessarily needed if you’re just starting out. Their online cloud for sending drafts to clients has been HEAVEN. The clients can make comments and even select the pictures, see final edits. I guess you can still use Google Docs, but meh.
Edited to add 2022: I still love Pixellu for Albums, but Pic-time has been stepping up their game in their features and now offers album designing and proofing within your account. I’ve figured out a new system for this and I’m really loving it!
I’m still designing within SmartAlbums because Pic-Time album design lacks design features, but I love how everything integrates together to make workflows simpler.
I love using Tailwind to schedule out my Pinterest pins. Using Pinterest has been something I’ve been testing out and so far the only way I’ve been able to stay on top of it is using Tailwind.
Nothing fancy or advanced, but so easy to use and has a little bit of everything for a project. I use Canva for a variety of projects in my business.
Honestly my favorite little subscription and I love pulling it up when I’m in a creative slump. I’ll take anything from a watercolor class to a Procreate class.
