In January I officially celebrated 10 years of Jessi Casara Photography, and I've learned so much about being a photographer and business owner along the way. Today, I want to share some of my all-time favorite small business tools that have helped me take photography from a fun side hobby to a full-time career. From scheduling and planning sessions to delivering client galleries and creating content, I truly couldn't run Jessi Casara Photography without these amazing resources, and I think you should try them, too!
Wix
One of the most important small business tools I use as a photographer is Wix, which is what you're using to read this blog right now! Wix is a website-building and blogging platform that has seriously leveled up Jessi Casara Photography's online presence. With Wix, I'm able to share blogs and portfolios of my work, provide info on services I offer, and connect with potential clients. If you're looking for a user-friendly and aesthetically-pleasing platform to build your website, Wix is the way to go!
17hats
The next small business tool I recommend for photographers is 17hats. 17hats has been a serious game-changer for me when it comes to automating my workflow to keep things running smoothly and efficiently. Everything for my clients stays organized with 17hats, from lead capture forms, to quotes, contracts, invoices and even custom questionnaires.
It's easy to get overwhelmed and let things slip through the cracks as a small business owner, and 17hats is the perfect solution to make sure I tackle day-to-day tasks, keep in contact with new and recurring clients, and stay on top of my deadlines. Click here to use my referral link and try an annual 17hats subscription for 50% off!
Flodesk
I recently made the transition to sending out my monthly newsletter through Flodesk, and I couldn't be happier. Flodesk is an amazing digital marketing company that allows you to easily design and send eye-catching emails. One of my favorite parts about Flodesk is you can choose from pre-made email templates that are super sleek and visually-appealing, or you can start entirely from scratch to design something one-of-a-kind! If you want to try Flodesk for yourself, click here to use my referral link for 50% off your first year.
Plann
Having an active social media presence is super important for photographers and small business owners in general, and Plann helps me stay on track with posting regularly to all my different accounts. Plann is a great tool for anyone looking to simplify the process of creating and sharing posts on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and more. With Plann, I can easily upload photos and graphics, draft captions, and schedule posts to go out on specific days and times. Check out my referral link here for $10 off your first Plann subscription!
SCRL
Another small business tool that is super helpful for managing posts and stories on Instagram specifically is SCRL. SCRL is an awesome app that lets you easily create trendy and engaging Instagram posts. I love that SCRL has pre-made templates for Instagram reels with popular sounds so all you have to do is upload photos and it automatically syncs them to the audio and crops them to the perfect ratio! If you're already active on Instagram or want to start growing your account, SCRL is a must-have.
Pic-Time
Delivering client galleries is a huge component of being a professional photographer, and I always strive to give my clients the best and most user-friendly experience from start to finish. Pic-Time is the perfect small business tool for photographers to share galleries in a straightforward, organized manner. Clients can not only view their photo gallery, but they can also select favorites and even purchase prints!
Style & Select
The last small business tool I want to highlight is Style & Select, which is geared specifically toward photographers. We all know one of the most stressful parts of getting your picture taken is deciding what to wear, and Style & Select is here to help! Style & Select enables photographers to create a shoppable style guide where clients can find and purchase outfits based on the type of session (maternity, family, couple, etc.) and the specific style you're going for. This makes it super easy for photographers and clients to coordinate outfits so your photos really pop!
I hope you find this list of the best small business tools for photographers helpful as you prepare to launch or continue growing your business! Let me know in the comments if I missed any of your favorite business resources for photographers.
xo,
Jessi
(c) Jessi Casara Photography
Jessi is a lifestyle documentary photographer based in southern Alabama, serving the Gulf Coast from Mobile, AL to Pensacola, FL, along with the Nashville, Chattanooga, and Atlanta areas. She specializes in couple, wedding, maternity, newborn and family photography, and also enjoys commercial and creative portraiture. Available for travel worldwide. Find out more at www.casaraphoto.com
