How to Make Your Photo Workflow Work With Your Life
There's no question that having a great photo workflow is important. After all, if your photos aren't looking their best, you're not going to feel good about sharing your work.
However, if your photo workflow doesn't fit into your life, you'll constantly find yourself juggling personal and businesses tasks, and neither one is going to come out the winner. It really can't be understated how much better your life and your business will be once you have a solid workflow in place.
A Great Workflow Reduces Stress
One of the best things about having a great photo workflow is that it reduces stress. When you know that everything is organized and that you have a plan, you're going to feel better. You'll be less likely to feel overwhelmed by the task at hand, and you'll be more productive.
A Solid Workflow Allows You to Take Charge of Your Time
Another great thing about having a solid workflow is that it allows you to manage your time. When you know what you need to do and when you're going to be in a much better position to work on your photos.
Make sure that your photo workflow is tailored to your life, and you'll be able to achieve great things and make your clients happy. There’s so much to do to run a successful photography business, and a good workflow should be top of your list to tackle.
Photo Workflow: Tips to Pinpoint Places in Your Workflow That Are Causing Bottlenecks
Write down every step. This might seem silly, but it's an easy way to visually see where bottlenecks are and it keeps you from automatically glossing over the details.
1. Determine the steps you need to take in order to complete a photo project.
2. Write down how much time you think each step should take.
3. Time yourself as you complete the steps.
4. Compare your estimated time with the actual time it took to complete the steps.
5. Pinpoint what the "problem child is." Is it culling, editing, setting up your galleries or even supporting your customers in product selection?
Identify Tasks You Don't Like Doing.
As humans, we're not wired to do things that we don't like to do. So, it's no surprise that the steps in your workflow that you don't like tend to cause bottlenecks. If you can figure out which steps these are, you can start looking for ways to delegate or automate them.
No one can do it all, and that's especially true when it comes to photography. You need to let go of the idea that you can do it all, which means accepting help from others. Whether it's outsourcing your editing or getting a friend to help you cull through your photos, there are plenty of ways to get help.
Look For Software That Could Make Tasks Easier
There's no question that technology has made our lives a lot easier, and when it comes to photo workflow, that's definitely true. Software like Lightroom and Photoshop can speed up many of the tasks that photographers use in their workflow.
If you're struggling with a particular step in your workflow, take some time to research software that could make the task easier. You might be surprised at how much of a difference some software can make. They can be well worth the price!
Photivo is an Online Gallery Solution For Photographers That Works With Your Workflow
Photivo is a gallery solution that makes uploading, categorizing, and showcasing your photos a breeze. With Photivo, you can quickly and easily create beautiful photo galleries that will WOW your clients and are intuitive and easy to use.
No more playing tech support with your clients; Photivo is the answer to beautiful galleries and streamlined ordering for your clients. More orders == more revenue. And you can't argue with that!
Consider Outsourcing Workflow Tasks
If you're feeling overwhelmed by a task in your photo workflow, it might be time to outsource it. Plenty of people can help you with tasks like culling, editing, and even album design.
Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. You'll be surprised at how much easier life can be when you have a great team of people to help you out.
Is it Time to Raise Prices?
You may need to raise prices to be able to afford to outsource, but in the long run, it may make for a better quality of life for you. Clients will get their photos faster, you'll be able to spend more time on your photography, and you won't have the headache of doing everything yourself.
It's a tough decision, but it may be time to raise those prices so you can afford to outsource without it affecting your bottom line.
Finding the Flow
When it comes to your photo workflow, don't be afraid to experiment until you find what works best for you. Try different things and see what works best for your lifestyle and your photography business. With a little bit of experimentation, you'll be able to create a workflow that is both productive and efficient.
Why not start with an innovative new photo gallery? Upload photos easily and put your best foot forward with your amazing images in intuitive and beautiful galleries. Photivo is clean and responsive on desktop and mobile and allows you to focus on the art of photography rather than helping troubleshoot problems with clients who can't figure out how to navigate the software.