May 26, 2022

Written By: Anna Behning

In a digital age, we all use apps and software to make our lives easier. It’s no different for photographers. In fact, sometimes I think photographers are required to know more software and technology than the average person. It’s my hope that by sharing my favorite software, I’ll help you increase your efficiency and workflow.

1. Adobe Lightroom Classic & Photoshop is an industry standard for photographers. As a beginner photographer, it’s my recommendation that you spend lots of time learning these two programs. Youtube is super helpful if you have any questions. Even if you are a seasoned photographer, there are so many things that you can continue to learn in these programs. I personally use these two programs for editing and exporting photos.

2. Photo Mechanic is my personal chose for culling photos. What is culling? Going through all 3,000+ photos I take at weddings and picking the best ones to import into Lightroom to edit. I also appreciate that Photo Mechanic was a one time expense and I don’t have to pay monthly for it.

3. HoneyBook is the software I use for client management. From inquiries, to contracts and proposals, to emails, to timelines and questionnaires, HoneyBook makes my life SO MUCH EASIER. Only cons? It’s a monthly subscription and when someone pays an invoice they take a percentage of your profits (which is pretty common for any online payment method).

4. Canva is my favorite software to make graphics for all my social media pages. It’s easy, user-friendly and can create beautiful graphics. I’ve used it for posters, social media graphics, newspaper ads, and tons of Pinterest pins. You can use a free version of Canva, but if you want to use the most features, you will have to pay a monthly fee.

5. MileIQ I use MileIQ to track my miles driven for all business travel. This app tracks every trip I take and then I can classify it as business or personal. Come tax season, this app is a LIFE SAVER. It’s totally worth the yearly fee to get the most of your tax write off!

6. Pixieset is what I use to deliver client galleries. It’s super user friendly for my clients and makes gallery delivery so much easier. There’s also an option to create your own print shop so clients can order directly from their gallery. You can also send reminder emails through Pixieset that remind clients that their gallery is expiring soon and that they need to download their photos to keep them safe.

7. SCRL is an app that can be downloaded on your phone. I use this app to make visually appealing Instagram posts that are more artistic than what you can create in Instagram. Although there is a paid option, I personally only use the free version.

As you begin your photography career, it’s important to choose software that will make your life easier but won’t drain your bank account. As you grow, you can invest in more software that increases your efficiency and client experience.