Boost Your Photography Workflow: 5 Essential Tools to add to your process
5 ways to elevate and speed up your workflow so you can avoid burn out
Wedding season is almost upon is, and that means we’re about to get really really busy. Now is a great time to start thinking about your workflow and how you can improve it and make it more efficient so you have more time to do the things you love, and maybe keep your sanity in check in the process. Here are five of the tools I have implemented over the years into my photography workflow to improve my speed without sacrificing any of my quality. I’d actually argue that when I added some of these tools into my day to day routine, my quality improved. From managing clients and schedules to editing and sharing your work, every minute saved is a minute gained for creativity and growth. Thankfully, there's a myriad of tools available to streamline your process. In this post, we'll explore five of the essential tools that can use to revolutionize your photography workflow and propel your productivity to new heights.
1. Time saving with Tave -
Let me share how Tave has been a game-changer for my photography business since I went full-time…
Tave isn't just a tool; it's become an indispensable part of my workflow. From the get-go, it's been like having a trusted co-pilot, enhancing my efficiency and organization.
Before Tave, I spent time managing various aspects of my business manually. I still can’t believe I ever had to print contracts out just to scan them back in to send them. Oof! I would double, triple, quadruple check my paper calendar to ensure that I was, in fact, free for a date before emailing people back. I’d have lists and lists of things to do. At first that was no big deal, but as soon as I went full time I knew I would be full of anxiety about losing track of something. Now, with everything neatly organized and easily accessible in one place, I've streamlined my processes even further.
What's more, Tave's automated features have been a godsend. Whether it's setting up reminders, sending follow-ups, or generating invoices, Tave handles it all seamlessly. It's like having a personal assistant working tirelessly in the background.
Sure, there was a bit of a learning curve at first, but the investment of time was well worth it. Now, I can't imagine running my business without Tave. It's transformed the way I work, allowing me to focus more on capturing those special moments and less on administrative tasks.
There are tons of CRMs on the market, so why Tave? To be fair, I implemented Tave back in 2016 (or was it 2015?) and there weren’t as many options out then, but I have looked at switching a number of times and I haven’t found one that has enticed me away. I love how easy it is to navigate and create your own workflows. There are loads of pre-made templates to get you started if you’re stuck. The customer service is excellent and quick and they are ALWAYS updating the app and making it better.
2. Enhancing Efficiency with AI Editing in AfterShoot
I’ve been with AfterShoot since the beginning in the hopes of speeding up my culling process. At the time, I was using another program for AI editing and wasn’t 100% thrilled with it or with the price point. Then! AfterShoot started offering both culling and editing. Bingo! I gave it a shot and haven’t looked back. Here’s why…
Gone are the days of spending hours sifting through hundreds of photos to select the best shots. With AfterShoot's AI culling feature, I can quickly and accurately identify the keepers, allowing me to focus my energy on the images that truly matter. Immediately after a wedding, I back up my cards to my hard drive and as soon as they’re full ingested, I set AfterShoot to do my first cull and go have a shower or do some yoga.
I say first cull because while AfterShoot's AI is incredibly accurate, I'm not completely hands-off. I’m a bit of a control freak when it comes to the final product my clients get so I still want the final say in what makes the cut. After all, no algorithm can replace the intuition and artistic vision of a seasoned photographer. But! It is so helpful having all similar images lumped together so I can quickly pick the best one. It flags images that are blurry or have eyes closed so I don’t have to spend ages flipping back and forth between family photos. It’s been so helpful.
Once the culling is done, AfterShoot's AI editing tools take over, automating repetitive tasks and enhancing the overall quality of my images. From adjusting exposure and color balance to adjusting the horizon lines, AfterShoot's AI algorithms work tirelessly to ensure each photo is picture-perfect.
Again… I’m not 100% hands-off with editing. While AfterShoot handles the heavy lifting with the mundane tasks, I have more time to devote to the finer details that make each image unique. Whether it's adding a personal touch to portraits or fine-tuning the mood of a candid moment, AfterShoot empowers me to create stunning visuals while working faster and more efficiently than ever before.
With AfterShoot by my side, I can deliver exceptional results to my clients without sacrificing quality or creativity. In fact, I’d say the quality of images has been enhanced by allowing me to devote my time and energy to perfecting images rather than fussing over white balance. It's the perfect blend of technology and artistry, helping me elevate my craft and exceed expectations with every click of the shutter.
If you’re thinking about trying AfterShoot, sign up with my affiliate link for 15% off. I could not be happier with this company and recommend them to everyone who will listen.
3. Loupedeck: Unleashing Editing Wizardry
Alright, picture this: editing your wedding photos with the speed and finesse of a digital wizard. That's the magic of Loupedeck.
Let's face it – trying to tweak your images with a clunky mouse and a regular keyboard is like trying to paint a masterpiece with oven mitts on. It's frustrating, it's slow, and it's anything but magical.
It took me forever to find a keyboard that made sense for me and also worked with a PC. Because… Big shocker here… I’m a PC girl forever. But then, enter Loupedeck – the editing keyboard that's more like a magic wand. With every dial, knob, and button perfectly placed, it's like tapping into a secret realm of editing power. You can even customize your keys so that everything makes sense for your personal workflow.
Suddenly, adjusting exposure, contrast, and colors feels like second nature. You're not just editing photos – you're orchestrating a symphony of pixels, bringing your vision to life with precision and flair. I’ve found that much like using AfterShoot, adding Loupedeck into my workflow allowed me to speed up to the point where I could spend less time on an image but fine tune it even more than I used to be able to. Less time, more adjustments.
And the best part? The time you save. With Loupedeck, you can edit photos in a flash, leaving you with more time to do what you love – capturing breathtaking moments behind the lens.
I’m currently on my second Loupedeck and cannot stand editing without it.
4. Elevate Your Client Experience with Pic-Time
Let's dive into how Pic-Time revolutionizes the way you connect with your clients, making sharing wedding day memories an absolute joy. Crafting stunning galleries is a breeze with Pic-Time's intuitive interface, whether you're creating elegant slideshows or dynamic layouts that captivate the heart.
But Pic-Time isn't just about delivering photos; it's about creating an immersive experience for your clients. Built-in slideshows that turn galleries into cinematic journeys, stirring emotions and evoking nostalgia. Your clients can easily mark their favourite images, send the gallery to friends and family to see, and even mark images hidden so their friends and family can’t see everything.
I love the ability to request selections for albums from my clients. It gives them the convenience to do it at their own pace, and in the comfort of their own home.
Let's talk more about convenience – it's a game-changer! Pic-Time's integrated storefront ensures your clients have 24/7 access to my personally vetted and professional labs. No more waiting for in-person meetings or relying on snail mail – their memories are just a click away. I also love that there are labs in different parts of the world so I can still take care of my clients who live outside of Canada. Brilliant!
But perhaps the best part? Your clients receive their images faster than ever before. Say goodbye to waiting and hello to instant gratification. With Pic-Time, you're not just delivering photos; you're delivering an experience that leaves a lasting impression.
I’ve been with Pic-Time since it came to the Canadian scene, and their customer service is excellent and they are constantly working on updates and tweaks to make yours and your clients experiences the best yet. I couldn’t be happier with Pic-Time.
5. Perfecting Your Instagram Strategy with Planoly
Let's explore how Planoly transforms Instagram management for photographers. With its user-friendly interface and powerful features, Planoly simplifies scheduling, visual planning, and performance tracking. I know there are lots of options out there and I’ve tried most of them, but I always seem to come back to Planoly for a number of reasons. Here are some, but I’ll also note that the price doesn’t hurt.
Ease of use is key with Planoly. Its intuitive platform makes uploading photos, scheduling posts, and analyzing metrics effortless.
The visual grid planning is a standout feature, allowing you to preview your Instagram grid before posting. This ensures a cohesive aesthetic and compelling visual storytelling. (I’m not sure about you, but that’s a big consideration for me when it comes to my feed)
Scheduling posts in advance is my favourite, since I am not the kind of person to want to sit at a computer or on my phone non-stop. I’m really opposed to it actually and when I leave my instagram posts to times when I have my phone in my hand, chances are I don’t really do much posting. So with planning ahead of time I find there’s no more stress about real-time posting – Planoly lets you plan and schedule your content, saving time and ensuring consistency. And it also saves my sanity. (which reminds me… it’s probably time I scoot over there and get some posts scheduled!!)
Bonus… with its comprehensive metrics, Planoly empowers you to track engagement, reach, and follower growth, enabling informed content decisions. I’m a nerd for numbers.
So what do you think? Are you going to try out a new app this year to streamline your workflow? Which one is it? Have you already tried some? I’d love to hear from you! If you have any questions, shoot me an email.
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Frances is a wedding and portrait photographer based in Collingwood, Ontario but will travel for a love story. She is a lover of the great outdoors, film photography, and things that are handmade and hand written. She’s a photography educator and still develops her own film. When she’s not writing love stories for her clients with her photography, you can find her spending her time with her husband and kiddo camping, making art, renovating their house, or exploring.
Frances has a BFA in Photography from OCADU where she spent most of her time in the darkroom or working at the photography cage. She has been a full time photographer since 2016 and was nominated for 30 Rising Stars 3 times in a row. She has run a number of photography workshops, most recently Heart Forward Workshop with Jennifer Van Son in the Beaver Valley.
Frances also offers one-on-one mentoring and month long mentoring sessions. They’re only available a few times a year and sell out quickly.
