Unlock Your Photography Potential: Top Subscriptions Every Photographer Should Consider

As a new business owner it may be difficult to know which subscriptions you need in order to stay ahead and manage your business well. Here are the subscriptions I swear by for my photography business that I highly recommend.

Adobe

Adobe has all the software you could possibly want for all of your creative needs but the two most popular pieces of photo editing software are Lightroom and Photoshop. Both Lightroom and Photoshop offer several advantages for photographers and photo enthusiasts that are overall easy to use. You can get away with using one or the other but I prefer to have both as each one has its advantages. Nowadays Lightroom offers useful tools such as object removal, but overall I find that Photoshop does a better job of smoothing skin, removing blemishes, and removing objects. I also use Photoshop for adding sunflares and editing the sky which is why I recommend purchasing both. Many photographers find that Photoshop allows for more creative freedom, whereas Lightroom is good for immediate results and important tools such as presets. The only con to Photoshop is that it’s much harder to use than Lightroom and can be somewhat of a challenge for those who are new to Photography. There are plenty of YouTube tutorials out there for Lightroom and Photoshop which I highly recommend checking out.

You can get a monthly subscription to both for a total of $19.99. It is well worth the money and an absolute must-have for post-production.

Squarespace

In the past I have used several different website hosts but Squarespace has been by far the best one I have used. For me this is a very important business tool. Your website is your biggest and best tool. Far more effective than social media and in my opinion gives you more leads than Facebook or Google ads, providing that you use the SEO and blog tools.

Using Squarespace for your business can offer several important benefits such as:

• Professional website design

• User-friendly interface

• Mobile responsiveness

• Built-in SEO tools

• E-commerce capabilities

• Integrated analytics

• Secure hosting

• Great customer support

I pay $23.00 per month for one domain.

Acuity: Scheduling

Acuity Scheduling is a powerful online appointment scheduling tool that integrates seamlessly with the Square app (Via Squarespace), providing several key benefits for businesses:

• Streamlined booking process

• Calendar management to stay organized

• Customizable booking pages

• Automated reminders

• Reporting and analytics.

Acuity Scheduling costs $20.00 per month and is totally worth the money. Since I purchased this tool my sales/booking numbers have increased. Overall, the convenience, accessibility, time-saving benefits, transparency, control, and safety considerations associated with online booking make it a preferred choice for many customers.

ShootProof

Photographers can benefit from using ShootProof, a comprehensive online platform designed to streamline various aspects of their business. Here are some pros:

• Beautiful client galleries

• Client proofing

• Sales and ordering

• Automated workflows

• Client management

• Data and analytics

• Integration with other platforms such as Lightroom and Photoshop

• Security & privacy.

With the click of a button your clients are able to view, share, and download their images hassle-free and without loss of quality. Past methods have let me down one way or another but I have never had a problem with Shoot Proof.

There are various packages available ranging from a free membership to a professional package. I currently pay $10.00 per month for the basic membership.

Overall, ShootProof provides photographers with a comprehensive suite of tools to manage their client workflow, showcase their work, and grow their business. By leveraging these features, photographers can streamline their processes, enhance their professionalism, and provide a seamless experience for their clients, ultimately driving success and growth in their photography businesses. It’s honestly a no-brainer for me. Super affordable and professional.

So there you have it. The list is short but sweet. This is all I use for now. You really don’t have to have all the subscriptions out there to run a successful photography business. Stick to the basics. Work with your budget but also understand that it’s 100% worth investing in your business.