Easy-to-implement systems created for photographers like you to save time and deliver exceptional client experiences with Dubsado, Honeybook, Pic-Time, and Airtable.

Client Experience and Workflow Strategies for Photographers

Helping photographers save time and deliver exceptional client experiences with customized systems for Dubsado, Honeybook, and Airtable.

Dubsado Certified Specialist,

my superpower is making complicated shit simple, particularly with regards to systems strategy + automations for photographers.

I'm Colie James:
Your Systems Strategist

Honeybook Educator,

Podcaster, Photographer,
Disneyland Passholder, and your new Business BFF that tells you like it is!

You need a plan and I'd love to help šŸ¤©

Before you spend another minute trying to piece together your systems with Google and YouTube...

Tired of systems that let you down and make you feel overwhelmed?

help me colie!

Not ready to dive into a full course? Grab one of my templates for Dubsado, Airtable, or HoneyBook and customize it to fit your business needsā€”quick, easy, and no overwhelm!

DIY Systems Shop

Templates & Toolkits

Easy to implement program for creatives to help you get your shit together and finally eliminate the administrative stress of booking clients, in less than 10 days in either Dubsado or Honeybook šŸ˜‰

CRM Blueprint Course for Creatives

Self-Paced Course

These aren't your typical cookie-cutter, copy + paste systems!

These DIY offers help you build streamlined processes and automated workflows for your photography business that match how you think, freeing up your time and energy to focus on the creative side of your business.

The Systems Shop

Book me for an hour at a time to audit your client experience, plan new workflows, customize templates, general Q&A, or anything else your business needs!

1:1 Strategy Sessions

Clarity Call

You are one VIP Day away from upgraded systems that save you time and deliver a consistent client experience to each lead that inquiries.  Each day is customized for your tools and systems your business needs.

Client Experience Systems Setups

VIP Day Implementation

My DIY options are fantastic, but if youā€™re ready to hand it all over, I offer done-for-you services too. 

Client Experience Magic

Iā€™ll deliver upgraded systems in Dubsado, Honeybook, Pic-Time, or Airtable that are tailored to your needs, so you can start saving time and booking more leads right away!

kind words

From listening to your podcast, I knew that Dubsado could do so much more, but my brain just couldn't see how it could be built and connect all the workflows together. What order should it all be created in? Where do you connect what?

I've had Dubsado for 3 years already and have probably (knowingly) used about 10% of its capacity. It was sooo confusing and a beast of software (amazing, but just a massive learning curve). The course was really detailed and specific, but also sequenced so logically and clearly. I liked the short videos and then I could take action right away (I learn well like that). If you sense that you're only just scratching the surface of what Dubsado can do for your business, and are sick of Googling every little step individually, just buy Colie's course. 

Kristen Turner Macdonald, photographer

What will you do with all the time you'll save with streamlined client experience systems?

allows me to spend another hour enjoying my coffee and planning my next trip to Disney!

Every hour I save on admin work...

Service: Dubsado VIP Experience + pictime setup

What Clients Say About My Workflow Strategies

Kati Douglas is a phenomenal wedding & family photographer based in the Bay Area, but more than that she is the best human. She came to me because her business was growing (YAY!) and she was long past the point of needing to automate tasks.

Ultimately, Kati wanted a system that would allow her to spend more time connecting with her amazing clients and less time scheduling and writing ALL the emails.


ā€œI mean, I tried to get Dubsado to work and I think I got it to work someā€¦. but I didn't know how all the elements worked together, and I didn't have the time to figure it out. Also, I am an artist and creatively speaking that kind of stuff really bums me out. I was finally like, ā€˜I might as well just outsource this.ā€™" ā€“Kati

Current Dubsado User: 2+ Years

The Challenge

Case Study

SERVICE: DUBSADO VIP EXPERIENCE + PICTIME SETUP

Current Dubsado User: 2+ Years

What Colie Did...

I knew Kati wanted to spend as much time with her clients as possible, so I automated and streamlined as many tasks before and after the session as I could. I also set up Pic-Time to make sure her photo delivery phase was automated, too. These workflows helped eliminate the stress of constantly feeling like she was dropping balls.

Katiā€™s website is so amazing that I had to be sure that her clients had a cohesive experience throughout the booking process, especially when it came time to ask for the money. So I created her the most fucking awesome proposal Iā€™ve ever made.

ā€œShe made it so it's really a breeze. Now I'm not going back and forth with clients, things are automatic.ā€

What Happened Next...

ā€œI have my time back. I don't have to focus so much on catching up on what to do with my CRM versus what it's doing for me and following the workflow.
ā€œIā€™ve made more sales with Pic-Time. Also thereā€™s a much more emotional connection. Everybody was telling me, ā€˜Oh my gosh, this gallery brought me to tears.ā€™
ā€œI'm able to spend more time on what brings me joy, which is photography of course but also being with my children and balancing work and life.
ā€œI don't feel burnt out by photography so much. My things that I am investing in are working for me and so I get to do the things that I love which is connecting with humans and documenting their days.ā€

ā€œColie really helped me level up my business and my back-end in a way that I didn't think was possibleā€¦."

SERVICE: DUBSADO VIP EXPERIENCE + PICTIME SETUP

Current Dubsado User: 2+ Years

what kati said

Testimonial

ā€œI woke up and I didn't have anything to do a couple weeks ago, which has never happened to me. Because my contracts are out, everything's out, everything's automated. She automated my workflows to send me an email when I need to do the next step. Everything is so much easier now.ā€ ā€“Kati Douglas

That Time Erin Ollila Interviewed ME on My Own Podcast

74

How Fair Play in the Home Can Benefit Your Business - Guest Lindsay Dreyer

104

3 Mistakes You Can Easily Avoid Inside Your Client Experience

121

Generating Monthly Recurring Revenue with a Membership - Guest Liz Wilcox

138

Here you'll find a no-BS approach to what it takes to put the business first, prioritizing the systems and strategies that will actually move the needle and ensure your creative business is profitable rather than an expensive side-hustle.

Here you'll find a no-BS approach to what it takes to put the business first, prioritizing the systems and strategies that will actually move the needle and ensure your creative business is profitable rather than an expensive side-hustle.

From how to provide a referral-worthy client experience to automation and revenue streams you'll find everything you need to become a more successful creative entrepreneur. Plus, you'll also uncover how to bring it all together in a way that brings you joy.

Tune in and join me (Colie!) as I chat to fellow creative entrepreneurs over a latte or cocktail. Business strategy or life lessons... we keep it real! 

the episodes

Business-First Creatives: The Podcast

A blog full of sarcasm and systems tips

Insights to Improve Your Client Experience and Workflows

Avoid These 3 Common Client Experience Mistakes in Your CRM

client experience

Honeybook vs Dubsado: Is One Is Better For Photographers?

CRM

How to Organize Your Business Using Airtable

airtable

Your go-to resource for actionable business tips on marketing, automation, client experience, CRMs, and streamlined business management to help creative entrepreneurs thrive.

Pick your topic:

Access the 20-minute Love Your Leads Video Training and start booking more of your leads using my three strategies today!

The coolest freebie on the planet

Leaving so soon? Before you go, I've got a party favor for you!

Enter your details and the freebie will be delivered to your inbox!

Images provided by: ARC Creative | SoCal Standard