Hey Reader,
Running a photography business these days is a lot more than pressing the shutter.
There’s the shooting and editing, sure… but also organising, delivering, marketing and somehow keeping yourself sane in the middle of it all.
Over time, I’ve built a little “tech stack”. Nothing fancy, just the apps and tools I use daily that keep me moving.
And since I get asked about this stuff a lot, I thought I’d lay it out for you.
Let's dive in!
Part One: Shooting
When I’m planning a shoot, I like to keep things simple. I use Sunlit to check where the sun will be at different times of the day. It’s one of those tiny details that saves you from showing up at the wrong spot when the light’s already gone.
For actual shot lists, I don’t overcomplicate it. The Reminders app on my iPhone is enough. If I’m heading out on a photo walk, I’ll jot down a couple of ideas or shots I want to capture. It keeps me focused without making the day feel scripted.
Part Two: Organising
This is where most of the chaos lives and why I need structure.
Notion is my home base. I’ve built out a space called “Action Zone” where all my to-dos, upcoming projects, and even outgoing client pitches live. I also keep a whole section for content -but I’ll save that for another newsletter because it deserves its own breakdown.
For quick ideas, I still love Apple Notes. It’s instant, it syncs everywhere and sometimes that’s all you need.
On my phone, I’ve set up Focus Modes using Apple Shortcuts. This keeps me in control of distractions, especially when I’m editing or writing.
For bigger creative projects, I use Milanote. It’s where I build out mood boards for shoots, map ideas for larger content series, and gather references. If you’re visual like me, it’s a lifesaver - you can sign up with this link here!
And then there’s Google Drive… my cloud hub. It’s affordable, reliable, and I sync it up with my personal photo library, so everything’s backed up.
When I travel, Timeshifter is my secret weapon. It helps me adjust my sleep around long-haul flights. Whenever I go back to Australia, I don’t want to spend four days useless with jet lag. This app helps me hit the ground running and make the most of my time with family.
Part Three: Editing
This is where I spend the bulk of my time.
For video, it’s Adobe Premiere Pro. Every project, every piece of content... it all runs through here.
For photos, Lightroom Classic is my home base. It’s where I do proper edits and manage my library. On the go, I switch to Lightroom CC. Being able to make quick tweaks on my phone has saved me more times than I can count.
I’ve also been enjoying a new app literally called Edits. It’s an app by Instagram and is perfect for reels that don’t need a full Premiere timeline. The user experience is clean and straightforward, plus I've noticed reels posted from this app to appear higher quality on the feed!
And for graphics, feeds, and even mind dumps, I use Canva Pro. It’s easy, quick, and honestly powerful enough that I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything fancier.
Part Four: Marketing
For ideas and brainstorming, I lean on ChatGPT. It helps me unpack concepts, generate prompts, and sometimes just teaches me things I don’t know.
For my link-in-bio, I use Bento. It’s clean, easy to customise, and looks better than most of the other options out there. I’m in the process of redoing my creator/photographer website, so this is my homepage at the moment!
Email is run through KIT right now. To be honest, I’ve slowed down with email marketing outside of this newsletter, so it’s mainly just hosting Captured.
And all my digital products live on Payhip. It’s where I sell my presets, and it’s worked well enough that I haven’t needed to complicate things.
Part Five: Business & Lifestyle
For client work and delivery, I rely on Pixieset. This is where my studio manager lives…all my clients, projects and gallery deliveries are handled here. It keeps everything professional and in one place.
I pay $5 a month for a Medium subscription, which might sound random, but it’s been a game-changer. Instead of doom-scrolling, I read quick, curated articles that actually give me something back.
And then, of course, there’s Spotify. It’s not just for music. I use it for podcasts, audiobooks, and as background noise when I edit. It keeps the vibe right.
btw...
I’ve been writing Captured every week for a few years now.
If you’d like to support the newsletter, I’ve set up a virtual tip jar.
It’s a small way to help keep this going while I keep sharing these newsletters with you.
