Being a part-time photographer doesn’t mean that you have to run your business with just “part” of the necessary tools.

You don’t have half a camera, or half-size memory cards, or a computer that’s half as fast, right? NO, you don’t.

Your systems shouldn’t be half-ass, either.

Systems are there for one reason: to save time and stay organized.

As a part-timer, you have even LESS time than a full-timer. You need things to be fast and easy.

RESOURCE: My Favorite Tech Tools for Photographers

SEE MY LIST OF FAVES

Systems are how you accomplish that time-saving and ease… they’re key to a photographer (or really any part-time creative entrepreneur) growing their business.

Not convinced? Well, I’m here to fill you in on exactly why you—part-timer, I’m talkin’ to you!—need systems just like the Big Kids.

Wait, Lydia. What *exactly* are photographer “systems”?

Ah, great question. I’m talking about a Customer Relationship Management tool (aka “CRM”).

BUT WAIT! There’s more to systems than just a CRM.

(I’m so nerding out here.)

Here’s my tech stack for Apollo & Ivy:

• A CRM: Mine is Honeybook* (use my Honeybook referral link and get 25% off your first year!). I use Honeybook for client communication, automated emails, onboarding, invoicing, payment processing, contracts, and more.
• I use Shootproof* to automate my gallery delivery and product sales.
• I use AirTable* to bring my data from Honeybook and Shootproof together, so I can get a big picture view of my finances. I use AirTable for expense tracking, client details, my waitlist, locations list, and even my standard operating procedures. It’s also where I built my dashboards so I can tell you in seconds how much I’ve earned in Sales from, say, family sessions who purchased my Standard package. I could talk about AirTable ALL DAMN DAY, people. I love it.

And I use Zapier to move data between these systems so I’m not doing data entry, because…

*These are referral links; using them to sign up means you’ll get a discount in many cases. I sometimes get an incentive, too, so thank you for your support!

Why part-time photographers need systems even more than full-timers

I sat down with Colie James of the Business-First Creatives podcast to talk about being a part-time photographer and why my fellow PT’ers should implement systems.

And not just “any system,” but systems on par with those of full-timers.

Our convo covered topics like:

• How systems help you balance your competing priorities
• How to use systems to be more productive
• Setting boundaries
• The beauty of outsourcing—it’s just another system, really!
• Our favorite automation tools

I expand on the reasons why part-timers should have amazing systems, so take a listen to the episode!

The actual truth

I already have a full-time job that I have zero intention of giving up, so photography—as much as I love it—is part-time for me.

The benefits (all of them, not just medical) of working at a public university are so fabulous that I’d be foolish to leave. So I need to find balance between my full-time gig and my part-time gig.

Running a photography business includes a lot more than just the photography.

My photography biz came about as a happy accident, and I enjoyed it so much that I learned all I could. But managing a photography business encompasses a lot more than just the clickity-click of the shutter.

Here’s where the systems come in

I started the systems for my photography business pretty much right out of the gate. My full-time job is in marketing technology, so collecting data and streamlining processes was a priority on Day One.

A lot of small business owners use a CRM to automate the client experience, and my CRM of choice is Honeybook* (use my Honeybook referral link and get 25% off your first year!) for its ease of use and awesome smart files!

I’ve been part of multiple user studies with Honeybook, and I was an alpha tester for Honeybook Finance. They’re always improving and there are multiple improvements I’ve suggested that have been implemented on the platform!

I know it’s hard and it takes time, but investing that time upfront pays off over and over again. The goal isn’t a system that needs constant monitoring; the goal is a system that runs itself, and your only responsibility is to manage exceptions.

I mean really, you’ve just gotta automate the hell out of it.

“Invest the time upfront and it pays off over and over again.”

Why I love it so much

Automation allows me to spend more time with my family and be present for things like my kids’ sporting events.

I shared with Colie how much I love Honeybook’s mobile app, which allows me to take care of business no matter where I am! (I love hearing that little *cha-ching!* noise from Honeybook, notifying me that someone has made a payment. I’ve heard that pleasing little cash register while playing pickleball, at my daughter’s volleyball game, and on a beach in Costa Rica! SWEET!)

Ultimately, systems are about time management and time savings, with the added bonus of upping your professionalism and looking legit to your clients.

Why should you care about looking legit?

Legitimacy is what people need to feel secure handing over large quantities of money for a service.

Especially to a small one-person business.

Getting started with systems as a photographer

If you’re a part-time creative, I hope you‘ll give this podcast episode a listen and consider setting up some systems and automations to help you out with your business. 

Need help getting started with systems? I got you! Set up a 30-minute call with me to share your systems woes and I’ll point you down the right path. Discovery calls are free, so let’s chat!

If you have any automation tips of your own, I’d love to hear from you! Drop into my DMs on Instagram or Facebook. 

Can’t get enough of me?

I recorded a podcast on This Can’t Be That Hard that dives deeper into the part-time photographer life. Give it a listen.

*Referral links. I earn commissions if you sign up for these services using my links, so thank ya!

Photo credit: Header photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash