How I Improved My Business
One day, while scrolling through social media, I came across West Street Studios and immediately felt compelled to inquire about a work-study program. This video above was captured in 2015 during a photography session by Jimi Sweet, the studio’s owner/manager. I remember I was still trying to figure out this whole photography thing while working as a Reservationist in Midtown. I had no “formal” training, no professional gear, and all I had were willing friends who wanted to be my models. Little did I know, that this opportunity would then lead me down the road to where I am now with a thriving business and working alongside my epic mentor and Ma-tographer, Amy Anaiz.
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Unfortunately, my dad passed away that year and I became a recluse. I gave up my work-study and photography and not long after, met Amy, who I now consider my own personal mentor and sister (despite me calling her “Ma”). Haha! Over the last six years, I’ve managed to take my business off overwhelm and into autopilot because of the lessons and skills I’ve learned while working during my time at West Street, experiences with my own clients, and creating with Amy. If there’s one thing I’ve learned while having a mentor is that it’s okay to share your resources and anything you believe can help someone else without overextending into exhaustion. So here I am, ready to share with you the processes and applications I use daily to keep my business up and running and still have the time to do other important things.
Photo by Jasmine
Resources
I know you’re here for one thing, so I’m not going to keep you long. Below, you’ll find the applications I use. Let’s keep it real though! Although there are some good deals in signing up with these links, there are some that are affiliate links. What does that mean? It means I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. I just needed to be transparent, so you can make the best decision for you and your business.
TAVE:
I’ve been using Tave since January 2020 at the suggestion of a friend. Note, that they are not a wedding photographer, but rather an event planner. What is Tave? It is an application that helps in keeping me organized in so many ways. It allows me to have everything in one place. I’m talking about contracts, emails, invoices, payment processing, workflow lists, calendars, questionnaires, and quotes. And guess how much I am paying per month? A whopping $25 per month for all of that. I remember when I first started, I had an app for everything. I had an app for taking payments, one for workflows, one for calendars, my email app, and an app for invoices. Then I’d head over to Microsoft Word to draft up contracts and questionnaires. Not only is Tave saving me money, but it’s also saving me time; literally and figuratively. By the click of a button, I’ve created a workflow for one client and all I have to do is press send. No extra drafting of things, going back and forth between different apps. If you decide to try it, you can do so for 60 days by signing up HERE. I know! You’re welcome!
Having been in the game for a while now, I can confidently tell you that most photographers dread the idea of sitting behind a computer for HOURS AND HOURS to edit. We absolutely do not mind pressing that button and capturing the magic with you. It’s what happens afterward when we realize we’ve just uploaded 2,000 images and have to cull and edit them. Thankfully, I was referred to Imagen by Amy and I haven’t looked back since. It learns my editing style and edits my work in a fraction of the time that it would normally take me. Of course, it goes without saying, that the heavier editing that requires some Photoshop gets blessed by my hands. However, there’s nothing my satisfying than seeing your client’s face light up when the gallery not only delivered earlier than expected, but it’s everything they ever wanted. I do not regret including Imagen in my workflow because it allows for more time with loved ones and self-care during the busier seasons.
PS: Click here to start and get a few free edits. Then come back and tell me how much you love it!
I remember finding Pixieset years ago and I am still using it. If you are a photographer, it is the coolest and most modern way of sharing photos with your clients. The presentation is gorgeous and not to mention, they have different templates you can choose from for delivery. Oh! Did you know that you can attach a printing lab to your galleries and if a client decides to order images, it goes directly to the lab? Yes! If they order prints, the lab will send them directly to them. You do nothing. Like I’ve been saying, I’m all about saving time because TIME is MONEY! Most recently, they’ve added the Pixieset Website where you’re able to build your site without having to upload new images. You can do that with the images you already have in your collections. The site templates are CHIC, MODERN, SIMPLE, and easy to navigate. So not only are we saving time, we are doing it while looking poppin’! OKURR!! Check out Pixieset and tell me what you think!
I know, I know! You use PayPal and there’s nothing wrong with it. However, I am a big fan of Square for features such as the ability to create marketing campaigns specific for social media and/or newsletters. I’ve been able to create specialized coupon codes and a loyalty program for my trusted clients. If you’re a business with employees, you are able to use their payroll and timecard options within the app. Not to mention, their mobile app is extremely efficient. You’re able to send invoices, set appointments through online booking, and create gift cards for your holiday marketing strategies if you’re into that sort of thing. What I love most about Square is that I’ve been able to connect it to my Tave system to collect payments and these payments I can immediately transfer to my bank account or debit card for less than a 2% fee.
Alright, so I’m gonna be a little honest with you. I’ve been neglecting my newsletter for roughly… 2 years. I know! That’s a long time! It’s not what you think, I promise. See what had happened was, I had MailChimp right? And it was so tedious to manage that I just gave up on it. Then my internet BB, Chasing Denisse, mentioned Flodesk on her story once and I went to check that baby out! Look here, Bellas, Flodesk is the truth! Simple and easy to use. The templates are sexy AF! I was able to create and send out my first newsletter last month in under 30 minutes. When you sign up HERE (I say when, because you will dump MailChimp LOL!), you’ll get 50% off your subscription.
Now, what’s the point of building a website, setting up payment processing, and creating a whole workflow if your branding is non-existent? That’s why I love Creative Market. It’s an online space where you can purchase anything from presets or actions for your photos, to social media templates for Instagram, and website templates to help with the look of your business. I’ll go on and on, but there’s no need when you can look for yourself. You can buy me a latte when you’re done.
Now, over the winter break, I’ve been spending 1-2 days per week watching online courses I’ve purchased/been gifted and learning from webinars to help with enhancing my business. I was introduced to Creative Live by Jimi years ago and have been hooked ever since. I’ve learned about lighting, posing, photography skills I can improve on to make my portraits pop, and even small marketing details to take my business from basic to bougie. With Creative Live, you can attend the class the day of, watch a replay or purchase to watch at your leisure. That’s not to say I don’t learn and get hands-on experience working with Amy. But when I’m not shooting with her or my own weddings/sessions, I need to make sure I’m keeping my skills sharp and improving as I go.
With that said, go out and be bad AF. Don’t play small. Take it one day at a time and continuously work on improving not just your business, but yourself. I hope these apps (if you decide to try) assist in enhancing your systems and allocate more time for you to spend with friends and family.
Here are some additional resources to check out:
Peerspace: For branding/content creation sessions
Showit: Where I host & designed my new website
Betterhelp: Affordable therapy
Session: For hosting my seasonal mini-sessions
What apps do you normally use to streamline your business daily?
Comment and let me know your thoughts below.
Follow me along on social media to keep up with my everyday antics: