As a mama of an almost three-year-old (how is that even possible?!), I have pretty limited time in which I can work in my business. We don’t have daycare, so I’m basically a naptime warrior, haha. Therefore, I’m ALLL about working smarter, not harder, and today I wanted to share four tools that run my business that I could NOT live without!
1. Lightroom Classic
This may go without saying, but as a photographer I couldn’t live without this! I use this exclusively, and ONLY use Photoshop if I have to remove something major from the background of an image, but that’s it! I only recently switched over to the “dark side” and have started using the monthly subscription of Lightroom Classic and Photoshop. Initially I was super annoyed to have to start paying monthly for a service I’ve been able to just buy outright in the past, but the some of the updated features have actually been really nice. But word to the wise, do NOT use the cloud version! Only the Classic! I haven’t had that problem, but I’ve heard of several photographers who accidentally downloaded Lightroom CC and it was terrible, hahah.
2. Sprout Studio.
This literally runs my business. It’s the only client management system that I know of that truly has EVERYTHING in one! I use it to send contracts, invoices, questionnaires, do album designs, host galleries, and do everything on the back end for my business. Like tracking my income and expenses, and running reports as I need them! Seriously, this is worth it’s weight in GOLD! I’m obsessed with the workflows and how I can set it and forget it! haha. It seriously has helped immensely with my automating SO much of my business!
3. PhotoMechanic.
One thing I’m really proud is my quick turnaround time. I have a very streamlined system for culling and editing my photos. Editing is actually pretty fun for me, especially now that I’ve finally got my style dialed in over the past year or two! PhotoMechanic is what allows me to cull thousands upon thousands of wedding images in less than two hours! If you haven’t heard about it before, check out this blog post here >>>> Why I love PhotoMechanic!
4. Planoly + FB scheduler.
I use these two for scheduling ALL things social media, and it literally gives me my life back. I can plan things ahead of time (so great for this type 1 gal!) and then just post really quickly (at a time that’s convenient for me) when I get the notification. FB automatically posts what I schedule which is even greater! I’m no longer posting things in real time, so what I do post is higher quality and more meaningful to me, and I LOVE that! Here’s a post also, that talks about how I plan my social media content!
Well, there you have it! The four tools that run my business! There are way more things I could talk about, and I know I’ve talked about each of these individually on my blog before, but I thought it’d be nice to do a little recap of all four in one post! If you want to see more tips for photographers/small business owners, just check out this category >>HERE!<<
Linda is a Portland-based photographer specializing in weddings and creating family legacies from Portland to Boston and across New England. You can see more of her work online at lindabarryphotography.com, on Instagram, or on Facebook. If you want to reach out directly: linda@lindabarryphotography.com.
Linda is a Portland-based photographer specializing in weddings and creating family legacies from Portland to Boston and across New England. You can see more of her work online at lindabarryphotography.com, on Instagram, or on Facebook. If you want to reach out directly: linda@lindabarryphotography.com.
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