How Using a CRM Helps My Photography Business—and Why It Can Help Yours Too
Running a photography business is about more than just taking great photos—it’s about building strong relationships with clients. Whether I’m capturing corporate headshots, family portraits, or special events, keeping track of client details, preferences, and follow-ups is crucial to delivering an exceptional experience. That’s why I recently started using HubSpot CRM, and it’s going to make a big difference in the way I do business.
A CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system allows me to keep all my client interactions organized in one place, making it easier than ever to stay connected, track projects, and provide a more personalized experience. In an industry where communication and trust are key, having a streamlined system ensures I never miss an opportunity to serve my clients better.
How a CRM Benefits My Photography Clients
Implementing a CRM isn’t just about making my business more efficient—it directly benefits my clients in several ways:
1. More Efficient Follow-Ups
One of the biggest challenges for any small business is staying on top of follow-ups. Maybe you had a corporate headshot session with me a few years ago, and now you need an updated look. Instead of relying on memory or digging through old emails, my CRM helps me track when past clients might be due for a refresh. That means I can reach out at the right time, making sure you’re always putting your best face forward—especially in today’s digital-first business world.
2. Seamless Repeat Sessions
For businesses that hire me for team headshots, my CRM can store details about past shoots, including a company’s preferred style, background choices, and any retouching preferences. If a new team member joins, I can quickly pull up past session details to ensure consistency. This is especially useful for growing companies that want their team’s headshots to have a uniform, professional look.
3. Personalized Service & Stronger Client Relationships
Every client is unique, and I want to ensure that each experience reflects that. With a CRM, I can keep track of personal details—like whether you prefer natural light vs. studio lighting, or if you have a favorite side for portraits. Remembering these small details makes a big difference in creating an enjoyable and customized experience for each session.
4. Better Communication & Faster Booking
A CRM allows me to keep track of conversations, emails, and inquiries in one place, ensuring that no request falls through the cracks. Whether you’re a busy executive needing a last-minute headshot or a company looking to schedule a full team session, having a clear record of our past interactions means I can respond faster and more efficiently.
Why Small Businesses Should Consider a CRM
If you’re a freelancer, entrepreneur, or small business owner, you might be wondering if a CRM is right for you. The short answer? Absolutely. Whether you’re managing a client-based business like photography, marketing, coaching, or consulting, a CRM helps you stay organized and deliver top-notch service without drowning in spreadsheets and email chains.
For photographers, in particular, a CRM can:
1. Track past clients and their session details
2. Remind you which clients you need to follow-up with
3. Help maintain strong client relationships for repeat business
I’m sure I’ll start seeing the benefits in my business, and I’m excited about how this will help me continue providing consistent, high-quality service to all my clients.
Have You Implemented a CRM? Let’s Share Tips!
If you’re using a CRM in your business, I’d love to hear how it’s working for you! Are there any features you’ve found particularly useful? Drop me a line—I’m always looking to improve my workflow and learn from fellow entrepreneurs.
And if you’re in the Los Angeles area and in need of a new headshot, let’s chat! I have offices in Santa Monica, Venice and Culver City, but will travel throughout LA. Give me a call at 323-493-2552 to schedule a photography session.
#SmallBusinessGrowth #PhotographyBusiness #CustomerExperience #HubSpot #CorporateHeadshots #StevenHankinsPhotography #CRM #BusinessGrowth
Why Having a Dedicated Coworking Space Has Transformed My Photography Business
As a photographer, I’ve learned that where you work can be just as important as how you work. About 7 years ago I started working out of BLANKSPACES coworking with office in Santa Monica, Venice, Culver City and Long Beach. Having a office to go to has helped my business reached new levels of creativity, productivity, and focus. Here’s why having an place to work out of has been a game-changer:
The Perfect Balance of Creativity and Productivity
Coworking isn’t just about having a place to work at. For me, BLANKSPACES has become a hub where I handle everything from client interactions to creative edits. Here’s a glimpse of how I use my coworking space:
Meeting Clients & Editing Photos
Having a professional space to meet clients for photoshoots makes a huge difference. I’ve worked with clients from a variety of professions, including lawyers, doctors, professionals in finance, marketing, and many others. I’ve had individual clients as well as taking photos of entire teams. It helps me deliver a polished, professional experience right from the start. After the shoots, I use this space to focus on editing, ensuring my clients receive top-notch images.Tackling the Business Side
Running a photography business isn’t just about taking pictures. I spend a significant amount of time working on marketing tasks, from writing blog posts (like this one!) to improving my SEO so that potential clients can find me on Google and Yelp. My coworking space provides the quiet, distraction-free environment I need to stay on top of these essential tasks.Building Community and Staying Inspired
One of the unexpected perks of coworking is being surrounded by other entrepreneurs and creatives. These connections are invaluable—whether they lead to business collaborations, advice on growing my brand, or simply conversations that inspire me to think differently. And who knows? Some of them often end up needing a fresh headshot!A Space to Focus and Energize
Let’s be honest: working from my apartment can blur the lines between personal and professional life, leading to distractions and burnout. Having a dedicated place to go every day gives me structure and focus. It gets me out of the house, into a vibrant environment, and ready to tackle the day with fresh energy.
Why Coworking Might Be Right for You
If you’re a freelancer, entrepreneur, or small business owner, I can’t recommend coworking enough. It’s more than just a workspace—it’s a place to create a routine, connect with like-minded individuals, and grow your business in ways you never imagined.
What about you? How has your workspace impacted your productivity and creativity? I’d love to hear your story!
And if you’re in the Los Angeles area and in need of a new headshot, let’s chat! Give me a call at 323-493-2552 to schedule a photography session.
#CoworkingLife #Entrepreneurship #PhotographerLife #SmallBusinessTips #LosAngelesPhotography #BLANKSPACES
Is it time to update your headshot? Whether you’re rebranding yourself professionally, preparing for a new opportunity, or refreshing your company’s team photos, a professional headshot is a must.
I’m Steven Hankins, a headshot photographer with offices in Santa Monica, Culver City, and Venice, serving the greater Los Angeles area. I also offer on-site photography, making it convenient to capture the perfect headshot anywhere in LA.
To help you get started, I’m offering a FREE 15-minute consultation to make your headshot process seamless and stress-free.
A Law Firm That Keeps Coming Back
I’ve had the pleasure of working with a law firm in Westwood that regularly hires me to photograph their growing team. Every time they bring on new staff, they contact me to set up a professional lighting setup right in their office. It’s rewarding to know they trust me to deliver consistent, high-quality headshots that reflect their firm’s image.
This is just one example of how I tailor each session to fit the unique needs of my clients—whether it’s traveling to their office or creating the perfect environment in one of my LA studios.
Here’s how we’ll make the most of our time together:
1. Discover the Perfect Headshot Style: Are you looking for a classic, polished look? Something modern and bold? Or a creative approach to show off your personality? During our consultation, we’ll determine the best style for your goals. We’ll also decide whether natural outdoor lighting or an indoor studio setup suits your needs.
2. Identify Your Headshot Goals: Why do you need a new headshot? Are you aiming to update your LinkedIn profile, impress recruiters, or refresh your company website? We’ll tailor the session to align with your objectives.
3. Plan Your Headshot Session: From wardrobe choices to location preferences, we’ll cover every detail to ensure you feel prepared and confident for your session.
A headshot is an investment in your professional self! Let’s create something great!
Give me a call at 323-493-2552 to book a headshot session.
#headshotphotographer #professionalheadshots #personalbranding #careergoals #freeconsultation #photography #businessgrowth