Black Friday Shopping Guide for Photographers
Black Friday Shopping Guide for Photographers
Alright, let’s be real – Black Friday is hella wild. The sales, the emails, the “limited-time offers” – it’s a LOT. I don’t usually buy into the frenzy of consumerism (it can be too much), but do I still take advantage of it? HELL YEA! Because if you shop intentionally, you can actually save BIG money (at Menards? haha). But in all seriousness, you can score some serious savings on things you actually need for your business.
So, if you’ve been waiting for the perfect time to invest in your photography gear or business tools, now could be a good time. This Black Friday Shopping Guide for Photographers is packed with all the products, subscriptions, and equipment I personally use and love. Everything listed here has been tried, tested, and earned a spot in my workflow.
And just so you know, every one of these items is something that I very intentionally purchased and continue to use to this day! Some links are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you make a purchase – but don’t worry, it won’t cost you extra. In fact, a few of these will actually save you money. 😊
PHOTOGRAPHY PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES
HoneyBook – 30% off annual membership OR 30% off first two months!
My favorite client management software! I use HoneyBook to keep all my projects organized, send proposals, and manage contracts and payments. Honestly, it’s the backbone of my business, and I can’t imagine working without it. If you’ve been managing client communication solely via email (yikes), this is your sign to upgrade.
Pic-Time – First month free!
My all time favorite gallery delivery software. Pic-time is incredible! It’s integrated with Lightroom, so publishing galleries is as easy as clicking a button. Plus, the galleries are gorgeous, and the built-in marketing campaigns make holiday print sales way easier which means more income for you!
Imagen – Get an additional 500 free edits (1500 total)!
I literally just started using Imagen a couple of months ago and it’s a total game changer! It’s an AI-powered editing software that cuts my editing time by 75%! If you’re anything like me and editing isn’t your favorite way to spend an afternoon,then you need to try out Imagen immediately!! It takes a little tweaking to get your color profiles just right (and you need at least 3,000 edited images to get your profile started), but once you do, it’s like having a second set of hands during the busy season.
LEGAL CONTRACTS
The Legal Paige 40% off sitewide + additional $10 off with code: SKYLER10
If you haven’t invested in legit legal contracts yet, now is the time. Whether you’re booking family sessions, weddings, or anything in between, The Legal Paige has a contract for it. Her Black Friday sale is the perfect time to protect your business without breaking the bank.
The Law Tog – 40% off!
Another one of my absolute favorite resources for legal contracts and education! I personally use their Family Photography + Model Release Contract, and it’s been worth every penny.
PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT
*Quick note: A lot of these items are listed on Amazon or B&H Photo, so you’ll have to check their websites to see what kind of sales they’re running!
Rose Anvil Dual Camera Strap – 25% off sitewide (I think?) You’ll have to go and check for yourself!
This strap is one of my most asked-about items, and for good reason – it’s AMAZING (and also makes me look super cool, so BONUS)! I use this camera strap at literally every single photo session, whether I’m using two cameras or just one. (If I’m only using one, I just hook the second strap to my belt!) My favorite part about this camera strap is that it has these heavy-duty hooks that I can slip over my belt so my cameras don’t swing around while I’m moving.
Not the most thrilling purchase, but necessary! I recently switched to 128gb cards for fewer mid-session swaps, and they’ve been a game changer.
Storage is everything in a photography business. I love the 5TB Lacie drives – they’re durable, portable, and essential for backing up all my work. I’ve started labeling them with sharpies on the top to stay organized!
I bought this lens almost a year ago exactly using my B&H Payboo Card (which I’ll talk about below). It’s my go-to lens for almost everything, from families to weddings. I love that I can grab wide landscapes photos and follow them up with beautiful portraits using a 70mm.
Okay, total transparency: I don’t own the RF version yet! I still use the EF version with a converter, but if you’re starting fresh, definitely go mirrorless. (But don’t take that as a reason to throw out your old EF lenses! Save that cash and use this converter instead. 🙂)
Speaking of converters, this adapter is the reason I haven’t had to replace my EF lenses. It’s a lifesaver and works perfectly!
My fiance bought me this flash as a gift years ago and it wasn’t until this past year that I realized how freaking awesome it is! I was at a wedding recently with another photographer and mentioned how much I loved my flash because the batteries last a lifetime! They were immediately like, “do you have Godox?” 🤣 But in all seriousness, it’s rare for me to have to change batteries during a wedding reception (and I’m often using 1/16 power)! Of course I always show up with a backup battery, but I wanted to share this flash because it’s been an awesome staple in my biz. And if you use flash frequently, I also recommend picking up one of these. 👇
A flash bender is essentially a bounce card that you attach directly to your flash. It’s what I use for every part of the reception besides the dance floor! Adding this to your flash photography helps soften the image, as compared to having direct flash on your subjects. It’s seriously been a game changer for my business!
Not a Black Friday deal, but still worth mentioning because it’s such an awesome card! The Payboo card offers 12 months of interest-free financing on gear at B&H photo, which is perfect if you’re making a big investment. Just don’t forget to pay it off on time to avoid those interest charges at month 13! I used this card to purchase my 24-70mm lens a year ago, and it was so worth it!
So – there you have it! A roundup of some of my favorite and most used items in my biz! This Black Friday Shopping Guide for Photographers is packed with tools and resources to make your life easier and your business better. These are the tools, gear, and resources that keep my business running smoothly.
Did I miss anything? Have a must-have item of your own? Drop it in the comments section below! I’d love to hear what’s on your wishlist this year!
Happy shopping (and saving)!
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