A fully-booked calendar can seem like a dream come true for any professional photographer! However, we know that sometimes managing your time and workload can be challenging. Time is one of your most valuable assets and to be successful it’s essential that you have full control of it. You have to be able to juggle a lot of different tasks, from shooting and editing photos to designing and ordering professional wedding albums, marketing, and managing your finances. If you don’t manage your time effectively, you’ll quickly get overwhelmed and stressed out, and this can be detrimental to yourself and your business.

In today’s blog, Zookbinders shares some tips on how to manage your time and workload as a professional photographer.

7 Tips for Managing Your Time and Workload Effectively

1. Set priorities.

Not all tasks are created equally. Take some time to figure out which tasks are the most important and focus your time and energy on those tasks. Of course, this will depend on your current deadlines and projects. For instance, there will be days when editing should take priority over planning for an event in the distant future.

2. Create a schedule.

Once you know your priorities, create a schedule that will help you stay on track. Your schedule should include time for photographing, communicating with clients, editing, marketing, and managing your finances.

3. Take breaks and vacations whenever you can!

When you’re swamped with work, make sure to take multiple breaks throughout the day. Doing this gives your mind and body a chance to refresh. When your mind is refreshed, you make better decisions and are less stressed. Additionally, make sure to also schedule time off. Working as a “solopreneur” can mean you are on the clock 24/7. Be sure to set aside time to be away from work, schedule a vacation or retreat for yourself, and place it in your calendar like you would a contracted event.

4. Delegate tasks.

If you can, delegate some of your tasks to others. This will free up your time so that you can focus on your core responsibilities, and concentrate on what you do best: taking breathtaking photos.

You can outsource album design and photo editing, and hire a virtual assistant to help you with day-to-day tasks that may be taking a lot of your time.

5. Say no.

Sure, the goal is to obtain a full work calendar of events and sessions but remember that it’s okay to say no to new projects when you don’t have the bandwidth to take them on.

6. Automate tasks.

There are a number of tasks that you can automate to save time and energy. These include invoicing and scheduling social media posts.

7. Use time management tools.

Today, there are a number of time management tools available, such as to-do lists, calendars, and project management software. These tools can help you stay organized and on track with your schedule and tasks. Google Calendar is a pretty straightforward tool that allows you to schedule meetings and set reminders for tasks, but you can also check out more intricate and dedicated tools. These include Trello and Asana, both of which are also great options if you’re working with a team.

By following these tips, you can improve your productivity and reduce stress!

Additional time management tips

Here are some additional tips for managing your time and workload as a professional photographer:

• Set realistic expectations. Don’t fill your to-do list with too many tasks. It’s better to set realistic expectations and meet them than to set unrealistic expectations and fail. The goal is to end the day or week with less work, not with more. This is where proper prioritization and delegation comes into play.
• Be flexible. It’s rare for things to always go according to plan. So, be prepared to adjust your schedules when necessary. This is also why, when creating your schedule, you should allow for flexibility.
• Take care of yourself. You can’t pour from an empty cup! Despite a jam-packed calendar, make sure to get enough sleep, eat healthy, and exercise. Taking care of yourself will help you have more energy and focus. Not to mention, you need to have a healthy mind and body to be your creative best!

Take It Easy!

Managing your time and workload as a professional photographer is an ongoing process. Aside from the tips above, you should also remember that:

• Time management is a skill that you can learn and improve over time. Don’t get discouraged if you feel like you’re not doing it correctly right away. Just keep on setting realistic schedules and targets, and you’ll eventually know what method works best for you.
• There is no one-size-fits-all approach to time management. What works for your colleague might not work for you. You may need to adjust your technique every once in a while. Keep on experimenting!
• Even if you experiment with different time management and task scheduling techniques, don’t forget the most important thing: be consistent. Be consistent in managing your schedule and tasks and following the tips we shared here, and you’ll eventually see results.

Leave Your Wedding Album Needs to Us!

Zookbinders’ Suite of Album Services and Products can up your workflow game and add revenue! Get in touch with us by booking an appointment HERE to learn more about how we can help boost your business. Better yet, register now to get access to exclusive perks.