As a new photographer I need help in keeping track of everything. So... How do you keep track of all your client information? Such as important c alendar dates (wedding date, bridal portrait shoot, e-session), wedding contract, appointments, emails, etc.

How do you keep track of everything with out being overwhelmed?

Thanks!

Photographer's Office is a great application. Currently, I have a paperwork system that suits my needs for the amount of work that I do, but I did have a chance to see this application in action by Nathan and Amber themselves and it really is a great asset to have available.

Here's the website - www.photographersoffice.net

Here is how my wife and I do it.

(we use mac so all programs are mac)
For Cleints contact information we use address book that is integrated with a program called iBiz. Then for all the information on that client we use iBiz. iBiz is deisgned to keep track of projects under each client. Then under each project we add events that need to happen. So our project will be the shoot, then under that we have events such as actual shooting time and post processing. We can then invoice them and keep track of payments all within that program.

As for emails we just use folders with our email client (we use apple mail). Then we use Omnioutliner with a Kinkless GTD script added to it to keep a full detailed todo list. And for notes we just use a text editor and have them stored in a folder and add spotlight remarks to each of the files. That allows them to be indexed and easily searchable.

I know that Liana, and some others, highly recommend Successware. The Antonino's used to use a different program (1 something...maybe they'll chime in....)

I use: http://www.photogassistant.com/

I will check that out thank you, is it hard to use?


Thanks everyone, I just have 18 weddings book already and trying to keep track of everything is just a bit overwhelming.

I am also going to check out the photographers office, I know that they just recently updaetd it.






I don't use Mac - but this gives me some ideas and I will just need to check out what is available for PC. Thank you for taking the time to write all that!




I'll email Matt, Thanks! I hope I can get to one of Liana's workshops soon!

Michelle,

All the programs mentioned so far are cool, but also added expense. Currently I use a simple spreadsheet. You type in the date of the wedding, and it computes goal dates of everything I need to do to finish out a job. The things prior to the wedding on on the left side of the event date column, and all the things after the wedding on on the right side of the wedding column. Then simple conditional formating turns the cell red if the date passes and alerts me that it needs to be done soon. Once completed, I fill in the complete date. Also, it's amazing how much information can be tracked in Outlook. All my client inquiries, information, dates, etc, are simply input to Outlook (which syncs to my pocketpc) Someday I'd like to get a dedicated software package, but right now (15 weddings in 2007 so far) the software I already have is working just fine!

Good Luck!
Michael

I'd like to see what you are doing with the spread sheet. I've been doing a simple sheet for a while now and it sounds like you have taken it to the next level.