💻 Photography Software I Recommend as a Professional Photographer
- Rachael Shine
- Jan 5
- 3 min read
Running a photography business takes so much more than just taking beautiful photos. Behind every gallery delivery, inquiry response, and social media post is a stack of software working together to keep everything organized, professional, and efficient. 📸✨
After years of shooting weddings, families, branding sessions, and creative projects across Utah and beyond, these are the software I personally use and recommend as a professional photographer.
Whether you’re a photographer just starting out or a business owner curious about what tools your photographer uses — this is my honest breakdown.
🌐 Wix – Website Design & Hosting

Your website is often the first impression clients have of your business — and Wix has been my platform of choice for years.
Why I Recommend Wix:
Easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor
Clean, modern templates
Built-in SEO tools
Mobile-friendly designs
Reliable hosting all in one place
Wix allows me to showcase my portfolio, blog posts, and services while keeping everything visually cohesive and easy to navigate. It’s also incredibly helpful for blogging, which plays a huge role in my SEO strategy.
Best for: Photographers who want control over design without needing to code.
🎨 Adobe Lightroom & Photoshop – Photo Editing Software
When it comes to editing, Adobe is non-negotiable for me.

Lightroom
My main editing hub
Non-destructive edits
Presets for consistency
Batch editing for efficiency
Lightroom helps me maintain a cohesive look across sessions while still honoring each shoot’s unique lighting and color tones.

Photoshop
Advanced retouching
Removing distractions
Compositing (like editing loved ones into photos)
Fine-tuning details
Photoshop is where storytelling and technical skill meet — especially for more complex edits.
Best for: Professional photographers who care about consistency, quality, and creative flexibility.
🖼️ SmugMug – Online Photo Galleries
Client galleries matter more than most people realize. SmugMug allows me to deliver galleries in a clean, professional, and user-friendly way.

Why SmugMug Works:
Password-protected galleries
High-resolution downloads
Print ordering options
Reliable long-term storage
It gives clients a seamless experience from viewing to downloading, which makes a huge difference in overall satisfaction.
📋 Pixieset – Client Management & Booking
Pixieset is the backbone of my client workflow.

What I Use Pixieset For:
Client inquiries
Contracts & questionnaires
Invoices and payments
Booking sessions
Email communication
Having everything in one place keeps my business organized and ensures nothing falls through the cracks — especially during busy wedding seasons.
📱 Social Media – Marketing & Visibility
Social media is one of my strongest marketing tools.
Platforms I Use:
Instagram
Pinterest
Occasionally Facebook
Social media helps me:
Share recent work
Educate clients
Show behind-the-scenes moments
Build trust before someone ever reaches out
When paired with blogging and SEO, social media becomes a powerful long-term marketing strategy rather than just posting for visibility.
🚗 Everlance – Mileage Tracking

As a photographer who travels frequently for shoots across Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Nevada, mileage tracking is essential.
Why Everlance:
Automatic trip tracking
Easy categorization
IRS-friendly reports
Saves time during tax season
This is one of those behind-the-scenes tools that protects your business long-term — and I cannot recommend it enough.
✨ Why Having the Right Software Matters
Each of these tools serves a specific purpose, but together they create:
A smoother client experience
Better organization
Consistent branding
Less stress behind the scenes
Good software doesn’t replace skill — it supports it.
📌 Final Thoughts
Photography is equal parts creativity and logistics. The right software allows me to focus more on connection, storytelling, and art — and less on scrambling behind the scenes.
If you’re a photographer building your business, or a client curious about how your memories are handled with care, these are the tools that make it all happen. 💻📸





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