Studio Essentials
resources
Through years of hands-on experience, we’ve built a collection of tools, resources, and brands that have truly shaped our business and creative approach. Here, you’ll find our carefully chosen favorites—everything from essential gear to educational tips—all in one place.
A note on links: Some are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase, but there’s no added cost to you. These are products and services we trust and use regularly.
What’s inside: A blend of practical tools, insightful resources, and valuable recommendations to help you expand your knowledge, streamline your business, and find inspiration in your craft. Enjoy exploring!
Resources and recommendations
Brand Photography Shot List
Mastering Natural Light
For photographers
Product Photography Guide
Freebies
Adobe Lightroom – For batch editing, color correction, and overall photo enhancement, Lightroom is a go-to for most photographers. It allows you to create custom presets for consistent editing across shoots.
Adobe Photoshop – Essential for more advanced retouching, composite work, and fine detail editing. Photoshop’s capabilities make it a staple for photographers who want to refine images beyond the basics.
Capture One – An alternative to Lightroom, Capture One offers high-quality color grading and is known for handling RAW files exceptionally well, with powerful tethering options for studio photographers.
1. Photo Production
HoneyBook or Dubsado – Both are all-in-one client relationship management (CRM) platforms designed for creatives. They help photographers manage inquiries, contracts, invoices, and client communication in one place, keeping everything organized.
Calendly or Acuity Scheduling – For streamlined booking, these tools allow clients to self-schedule, which saves time on back-and-forth emails.
QuickBooks or Wave – For accounting and expense tracking. QuickBooks integrates well with most CRMs and helps with invoicing, tax prep, and financial reports, while Wave is a free option that covers basic bookkeeping needs.
2. Client Management
Pixieset or ShootProof – These platforms allow you to create beautiful online galleries for clients to view, share, and download their images, as well as offer print options.
Dropbox or Google Drive – For backup and large file storage. Both offer affordable plans, with easy sharing and folder organization for long-term storage and client transfers.
Backblaze – A cloud backup service that provides unlimited data backup for a low cost, essential for protecting your entire image library.
3. File Delivery & Storage
Showit – Is my favorite platform for building and maintaining a visually appealing photography portfolio website with easy customization options.
Later or Planoly – Social media scheduling tools that allow you to plan, schedule, and preview your Instagram grid, ensuring a consistent aesthetic and presence online.
Flodesk – For email marketing, this platform provides beautifully designed templates for photographers looking to send client newsletters, updates, or promotions.
4. Marketing & Portfolio
Asana – This tool helps photographers organize and track their project tasks, from shoot prep to editing timelines. The board format is ideal for visual organization, while Asana offers more detailed task breakdowns.
Studio Ninja or 17hats – Specifically designed for photographers, these platforms help manage leads, projects, invoices, and workflows with a clean, photographer-friendly interface.
5. Project Management
My current Favorites
Memory Cards & Storage – Your top choice for SD or CF cards and a dependable storage solution (external drives, SSDs) for keeping images safe.
Batteries & Chargers – The best rechargeable batteries or battery packs you rely on for long sessions.
Filters – Your go-to filters (ND, polarizing, etc.) and a note on how you use them creatively in different lighting conditions.
Remote Trigger – Perfect for self-portraits, group shots, or long exposures, this can be a helpful (and underrated) item in a photographer’s kit.
Props & Styling Tools – Any small styling props you love using in shoots, such as textiles, backdrops, or reflective surfaces.
The Essentials You Will Find In My Camera Bag
Shop Gear
Mastering the Art of lighting: Techniques for creating mood
Photography