300+
Photographers I've Helped with systems
5+
Years spent building systems for creatives
75%
How much of your communication we'll automate
10
number of minutes it takes to customize your proposal
My clients trust me because I've done it myself.
I've built a fully systemized photography business and helped 300+ photographers do the same — so they know it's not just possible, it's repeatable.
Your systems should work for you. Let me show you how.
I've Spent Over A Decade Helping Photographers Build Businesses That Actually Work.
Photographers & Creative Entrepreneurs
I was a professor for over a decade before I ever picked up a camera. Teaching has always been my thing — so when I discovered how transformative the right systems could be for my own photography business, sharing that with other photographers felt like the most natural thing in the world.
That's what Systems in Session is. Done with you, so you actually understand what you've built and know how to use it.
Because when you stop running in circles and babysitting your business every minute of the day, you finally fall back in love with it — and get to have a life outside of it, too.
This work isn't really about software or workflows.
It's about getting your life back.
At 15+ years of motherhood, I finally think I know what the hell I am doing.
We're in a totally new stage in life so now I wake up to drink my morning latte and wave to the kid before she walks to school.
A DISNEY-OBSESSED former PHOTOGRAPHER turned systems strategist LIVING THE GOOD LIFE IN COLORADO WITH MY husband James and 15-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER CHLOÉ.
Oh, and I'm not kidding about being OBSESSED with Disneyland, during the pandemic we visited every single month... from Colorado 😍
Hi, I'm Colie - it's a nickname for Nicole!
If you are nodding your head, I've created a podcast just for you. Subscribe and tune in to the Business-First Creatives podcast where I discuss all things business and have some pretty amazing guests sharing their insights as well.
make the rules and set boundaries that work for YOU
take time off without guilt or overwhelm
avoid being stuck behind a computer answering emails for hours a day
serve clients you love
A business where you
The biggest lesson I've learned is there is no one-size-fits-all recipe for running a successful business.
That being said, I truly believe systems and automation can go a long way in helping you build a sustainable + profitable business that brings you joy.
If you are nodding your head, I've created a podcast just for you. Subscribe and tune in to the Business-First Creatives podcast where I discuss all things business and have some pretty amazing guests sharing their insights as well.
A business where you
That being said, I truly believe systems and automation can go a long way in helping you build a sustainable + profitable business that brings you joy.
The biggest lesson I've learned is there is no one-size-fits-all recipe for running a successful business.
my business values
Check out the podcast
make the rules and set boundaries that work for YOU
take time off without guilt or overwhelm
avoid being stuck behind a computer answering emails for hours a day
serve clients you love
Your business works, but your backend is costing you.
A 4-Part Audio Series for service-based business owners who are ready to upgrade their “just fine” client experience, unlock higher pricing, increase referrals, and grow more sustainable revenue—without overworking behind the scenes.
Get the FREE 4-part audio training series
Systems That Sell
Meet Your Systems Professor
Dubsado Certified Specialist,
Disney-obsessed Podcaster,
Honeybook Educator,
Colie James is a Dubsado Certified Specialist, HoneyBook Educator, former college professor, podcast host, and systems strategist who has helped 300+ photographers build client experience workflows that save time and support sustainable growth.
trusted by and featured in
Book a 60-minute strategy session for expert guidance on your systems—whether you need answers in an ask-me-anything format or hands-on help making live updates. Walk away with clarity, solutions, and real progress, not just a plan.
Systems Strategy Calls
How I can help your creative business thrive?
I’ll review your client journey and key touchpoints to uncover gaps and opportunities, helping you design systems that work better for both you and your clients.
Client Experience Audit
Want me in the trenches building your client journey with you? Systems in Session is my done-with-you service where we map, build, and launch a backend that books clients on autopilot (and still sounds like you).
Systems in Session
A done-with-you 5-day sprint to plan your customer journey, close communication gaps, and write clear, warm, strategic client emails using my 3P Framework — without overthinking every message.
The Experience Edit
Roxanne - Hawa images, brand Photographer
Before Systems in Session, I’d been in Dubsado for years but without workflows. I was manually sending every email, piecing proposals together one by one, and it would take me one to two hours just to send something out. My neuro-spicy self could not be left alone — I needed one-on-one help and someone to walk me through step by step. With Colie, I finally built an on-brand proposal I can send in 20 minutes, hit my first $10k month, and booked $5k in just three days. Now I actually trust my systems, save hours every week, and get to spend more time with my four kids instead of chasing clients.
"I booked almost $5,000 in three days — and sent proposals in minutes instead of hours.
Kati - Xilo Photography, family & Newborn Photographer
Kati had Dubsado for three to four years without a single workflow. Everything was manual, nothing was consistent, and her assistant was just as lost as she was. After her setup, she launched an exclusive repeat client day for past families only, sent one newsletter with a link, and sold out in under 24 hours — without doing a single thing on the backend after she hit send. Now 60–70% of her clients are yearbook clients who come back year after year, and her repeat client invites go out automatically through her offboarding workflow.
"Take my money. I don't care. Set that shit up."
Erin belles, family portrait Photographer
It’s way less overwhelming than your brain makes it out to be, especially if you have someone to immediately tell you what to do. If I didn’t have Colie, I’d probably spiral for days and never finish. Now my workflows and emails are done, and even if I still want extra approvals, I know I have reminders in place. I don’t go to bed or wake up wondering what I missed. It’s a whole personality shift — a massive improvement in my business and my life."
"I wrote 33 client emails in a single weekend — something I thought would take me six weeks. Now I feel calm, confident, and in control of my business.
Flor blake, brand photographer
When I went full time with my branding photography business, everything quadrupled overnight. I had never used a CRM before, and trying to keep up with contracts, emails, and client details while traveling all over the country was overwhelming. Working with Colie gave me systems that not only save me time and money, but also keep everything running smoothly in the background — so I can actually focus on my clients and enjoy my business again."
"Peace of mind, money saving, and automation... that’s what Colie gave me.
Emily S, Family photographer
"I already had all the pieces. I just didn’t know how to make them all work together. I didn’t want to outsource everything—I wanted someone to walk alongside me while I set it up the right way. Once everything was finally connected and flowing, I could breathe again. It felt like, ‘Okay, this is how it’s supposed to work.’ And when I finally raised my prices and no one even blinked—that’s when I knew the confidence had clicked too.”
"When I booked 12 past clients while I was in the middle of a house move 🤣 — that’s when I knew it was working.”
Kelly B, Luxury Family photographer
“I was constantly carrying the mental load — juggling my CRNA job, serving photography clients, and trying to remember every little step in my head. I had no automations. I was writing emails from scratch, manually tracking everything. I wasn’t dropping the ball, but only because I was overthinking every detail. Now my systems do that for me and I’m not in my inbox every day.”
"I was at max capacity. Now my clients are moving through everything without me lifting a finger — and I have time to lift weights, read books, and just be with my kids."
Lara Agnew, Photographer
Colie, you are an absolute pleasure to work with. Hiring you was one of THE best decisions I made. Having you to answer questions or help my brain reorient to a new way of doing things was invaluable. It can be hard to re-train the brain on a new system. With your help, I was able to get over some barriers quicker than if I had done this on my own."
"Not only did you help move along a project I've been kicking down the road for the last three years but working with you ensured that I did my part of the process in a timely fashion.
Alison Amick, photographer
I was still in 17hats for my sister company because I just didn't have the time to bring my sister company over to Dubsado as well. Insert fairy godmother Colie with her magic wand to set everything up while I had time to work on family photos and onboard more clients.
WIN WIN.
"I'll be the first to admit that I am a full-on hot mess express, probably the least organized person on the planet. I would NOT be able to run a successful photography business without Dubsado as my CRM. And the fact that it's pretty is just the cherry on top.
Kendra Greenberg, photographer
"What you offer is more that just Dubsado setup. It's like a business workflow refresh in general.
With your attention to detail, thoughtful solutions to problems, and deep-dive approach, you thought of things I didn't know I needed.
Colie, you're the best!"
meg messina, Photographer
Colie did an extensive amount of setup work and was available after not only to show me how to navigate the new system but also to answer each question that came up as I began to use it. I’ve run my photography business for 12 years and working with Colie was one of the best experiences I’ve had."
"I know the year is only halfway over, but I can safely say that having Colie set up my Dubsado was the best business decision of the year.
Alice thigpen, Photographer
Before she set up my system, Colie made sure she understood all the relevant aspects of my business so that she could customize my system. She went the extra mile to make sure my CRM was on brand. After the system was in place, Colie promptly answered all of my questions in ways that were easy to understand and implement."
"My bookings have increased significantly since using Dubsado, but more important, I no longer dread using a tool that is supposed to make my business run smoothly!
Krystal Franke, Family Filmmaker + Photographer
Colie was INCREDIBLE to work with. She saved me so much time & headache while setting up the backend of my Dubsado account. She created personalized proposals, emails & workflows that have been life-changing for my business. Now You will LOVE working with Colie. She's worth every penny and MORE."
"I can spend more time doing what I'm passionate about and spending time with my family which is most important of all.
kind words
Business-First Creatives is a podcast for photographers and creative service providers who want a business that feels easier to run, more intentional behind the scenes, and sustainable long-term.
The conversations here focus on the parts of business that quietly shape everything else: client experience, communication, systems, marketing, pricing decisions, visibility, and the choices that support long-term growth without burning you out.
Frequently Asked Questions
06
What results do photographers see after working with a Dubsado specialist?
The most common outcome is reclaiming hours previously lost to repetitive inbox tasks. One client booked $5,000 in three days after her setup. Another wrote 33 client emails in a single weekend. Most photographers tell me they finally feel calm and in control of their business.
05
How long does it take to set up Dubsado for a photography business?
On your own, it typically takes weeks — the learning curve plus the sheer volume of emails, proposals, and workflows adds up fast. Working with a Dubsado specialist like me, most photographers complete their core setup within a focused engagement, with support to refine as their business grows.
01
What is a Dubsado specialist?
A Dubsado specialist helps photographers and creative service providers set up and optimize their Dubsado CRM to automate client communications, proposals, contracts, and workflows. Rather than just teaching the software, I design a client experience with my clients — from first inquiry to final delivery — so their business runs with minimal manual effort.
04
What is a client experience workflow for photographers?
It's the automated sequence of emails, contracts, questionnaires, proposals, and follow-ups that guides a client from inquiry to booking to final delivery — without you manually managing each step. A well-built workflow saves photographers several hours per client and ensures nothing falls through the cracks.
03
Do you work with HoneyBook users?
Yes! While I'm best known as a Dubsado specialist, I'm also a HoneyBook Educator and work with photographers on either platform. The focus is always on building a client experience system that works for your specific business.
02
What does a Dubsado specialist do for photographers?
As a Dubsado specialist, I help photographers map out their entire client journey, build automations that handle the follow-up and onboarding, and write the emails that go out on their behalf — all in their voice. The result is a backend that books and communicates with clients without the photographer being glued to their inbox.
Images provided by: ARC Creative | SoCal Standard | The Leo Loves | Rachel Utain-Evans | cornell watson
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Start dates available for Q3 2026
Join the waitlist and get first dibs, unlock your FREE 10-minute audit + a surprise bonus if you grab a spot for Q3. Doors Open June 18th.
