Pixieset has long been a go-to platform for photographers, offering a polished way to deliver client galleries, host portfolios, and sell images since pioneering this service in 2013. Fast forward to 2021, when Pixieset released their Studio Manager and has transformed into a comprehensive client management system that cuts down administrative tasks, streamlines client interactions, and optimizes workflows. This upgrade empowers photographers to focus on what matters, making their work life smoother and more productive, and getting paid faster. In this article, we explore what Pixieset is known for, how it’s changed, and why it’s an excellent all-in-one solution for photographers.
A Strong Foundation
Pixieset has always been a standout choice for over a million photographers to manage and deliver their photos. Client Gallery allowed photographers to upload high-resolution images to secure, password-protected galleries with customized layouts, allowing clients to view, select, and download photos with ease. While the built-in online store turned client galleries into sales opportunities. Still, it wasn’t perfect. Photographers needed separate tools for invoicing, scheduling, or client follow-ups, which meant piecing together workflows and spending extra hours on tasks outside their creative focus.
The Pixieset Transformation: Everything a Photographer Needs
Pixieset has unveiled a comprehensive update, evolving into a complete business management platform that goes far beyond photo delivery. Pixieset has introduced its Studio Manager, a powerful suite of interconnected tools accessible from a single dashboard. This system integrates client booking, payment processing, digital documents, and communication, streamlining every aspect of a photography business.
By connecting portfolio showcases, booking workflows, photo delivery, and payment systems, Pixieset enables photographers to manage their operations efficiently, saving time and enhancing client experiences.
Features Available with Pixieset’s Studio Manager
Streamlined Client Booking and Scheduling
Studio Manager’s booking and scheduling tools transform how photographers secure sessions. Photographers can create full-session or mini-session schedules, as well as book video and phone consultations, all within the platform. The booking system allows users to set availability, cancellation policies, and buffer times, ensuring sessions align with their schedules. Clients can view services and book directly through an online calendar, reducing back-and-forth emails. By integrating payment and intake forms into the booking workflow, photographers can collect deposits or full session fees upfront, securing bookings with minimal effort. This streamlined process ensures photographers spend less time coordinating and more time taking photos.
Digital Documents for Efficiency
Studio Manager offers tools for creating and managing digital documents, including contracts, questionnaires, invoices, and quotes. The platform includes free, customizable contract and questionnaire samples, allowing photographers to quickly adapt documents to their needs. They can also create their own templates to save time on repetitive tasks. A standout feature is the ability to embed contracts and questionnaires into the booking workflow, letting clients complete paperwork and payments in a single step. This integration eliminates the need for external tools or manual follow-ups, ensuring agreements are signed and payments are collected directly during booking. Photographers can also send branded invoices with a due date and accept payment methods. This allows clients to pay instantly from any device, streamlining the entire process.
Pixieset Payments: Fast and Flexible
Pixieset Payments is a cornerstone of Pixieset’s evolution, offering a new way to get paid quickly and securely. The system supports a wide range of payment methods, including credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Link), and buy-now-pay-later options (Klarna, Affirm). ACH bank transfers are available for U.S.-based users, and photographers can customize payment settings to suit their needs.
A few months ago Pixieset also introduced Tap to Pay, allowing U.S. and Canadian photographers to accept in-person contactless payments via the Studio Manager mobile app, with no additional hardware required. This transforms how photographers get paid with clients being able to tap their card or phone to pay instantly. This is ideal for on-site deposits or add-on sales received after the initial order. All transactions are managed within the Studio Manager dashboard, providing a clear overview of invoices, payouts, and tips. Getting paid and keeping track of the numbers has never been so simple.
Centralized Communication With Inbox
Effective client communication is critical, and Studio Manager’s Inbox simplifies this process. Photographers can email clients directly from the dashboard, create reusable email templates, and attach files or mood boards. This centralized system keeps all client correspondence organized, reducing the reliance on external email platforms and minimizing miscommunication. For instance, a photographer can send a contract, follow up with a personalized message, and attach a PDF—all within Studio Manager—saving time and maintaining a professional tone. Most importantly they can keep track of all client communication in one place — from the initial inquiry, to photo delivery and sending the final invoice.
Project Management for Organization
Studio Manager’s Projects feature helps photographers stay organized by allowing them to manage client work on a visual board. They can track projects based on their stage, assign clients, and link relevant documents and sessions. This feature ensures that no task falls through the cracks, providing a clear overview of ongoing and upcoming work. For example, a photographer can monitor a wedding project from initial inquiry to final gallery delivery, ensuring every step is completed efficiently.
Studio Manager Mobile App
The Studio Manager mobile app, launched earlier this year, already brought the power of Pixieset to photographers on the go. With the mobile app, users can manage bookings, send documents, process payments, and communicate with clients from anywhere. Real-time tracking of bookings and payments keeps photographers connected to their business, whether they’re at a shoot or between locations. The app’s Tap to Pay feature enhances its utility, making it easy to collect payments in person, such as at a photography fair or mini-session event. This mobility ensures photographers can run their business efficiently without being tied to a desk.
Pixieset Capital: A New Funding Solution
Pixieset also just launched a solution for photographers who need funds to grow their business, invest in new gear, cover a studio rental, or get through slow periods. Pixieset Capital, powered by Stripe, is a funding solution for eligible U.S.-based photographers that allows them to request funding without interest rates, paying a flat fee instead. Repayments are made directly through Pixieset from future sales, offering a flexible way to invest in business growth.
How Pixieset Works Together Seamlessly
What sets Pixieset apart is the integration of such a wide array of tools within a single dashboard. For example, a portrait photographer can showcase their work, book a session, send a contract, collect a deposit, and deliver a gallery—all without leaving Pixieset. From portfolio showcases and booking workflows to photo delivery and payment processing, every feature works together to create a cohesive experience. The website builder, with over 30 customizable templates, allows photographers to create mobile-optimized portfolios faster by pulling images directly from photo galleries. AI-powered site SEO tools enhance online reach and visibility, while Studio Manager handles client sessions, interactions and payments. Pixieset’s interconnected system eliminates the need for multiple platforms, saving photographers money and precious hours each week.
Who Will Benefit Most From Pixieset?
Professional photography is a balancing act with managing the business side of the job. Pixieset has created a true all-rounder platform, and it would probably be easier to list who wouldn’t benefit from an integrated gallery delivery, website and studio management system. Wedding and portrait photographers are the most obvious beneficiaries, but any freelance photographer working commercially—balancing communication and invoicing alongside image creation—will see benefits from the new and improved features from Pixieset.
Final Thoughts
Pixieset’s transformation marks a significant leap forward, evolving from a reliable gallery and photo hosting platform into a business management system. Studio Manager has streamlined workflows and minimized admin work, allowing photographers to dedicate more time and energy toward planning, shooting, and editing. The platform’s intuitive design and time-saving features make it an invaluable asset for professionals at any stage. With a free tier to get started, there is no time like the present to give it a go for yourself.