The tools behind the practice
Nothing is listed for novelty. Everything here works
What follows is an edited list of what is used daily in this business — software, gear, and resources that have earned a permanent place through consistent use at a high level of the industry.
Some links below are affiliate links. Recommendations are based solely on genuine use.
CLIENT EXPERIENCE
PRICE GUIDE
The client experience begins long before the wedding day. The materials listed here are the ones used in this practice to ensure every touchpoint, from first inquiry to gallery delivery, reflects the level of the work itself.
I designed this price client guide with Hello Hello Studio. It is editorial in feel; beautifully laid out, evoking emotion and ready to showcase your moments of true connection captured on a wedding day.
Fully editable in CANVA, the price guide contains 30+ pages of professional written copy. The price guide can be converted to PDF for print or share digitally.
WEDDING CLIENT GUIDE
I know that when a couple book their wedding photographer, they want to feel calm, supported and like they have booked a trusted friend to join their vendor A-team.
The wedding client guide covers all parts of your client’s customer journey with you. From the early stages of wedding planning to final gallery delivery, the wedding client guide lays out what your client can expect from you at every step along the way.
Fully editable in CANVA, the wedding client guide contains 50+ pages of professional written copy. The wedding client guide can be converted to PDF for print or share digitally.
more to come…
Your clients should have a seamless experience with your brand.
In the early days I mapped out all the elements of their client experience and how I wanted to make them feel. Every interaction has to be ‘on-brand’ and so I have refined (x 1000) my client experience. From marketing, social media, email communications, meetings, wedding day etiquette to gallery delivery; I have considered everything.
Business Management
The operational infrastructure of a high-volume, high-end photography business requires systems that are invisible to the client and reliable for the photographer. These are the ones that have proven themselves over years of use.
Studio Ninja
The CRM (Customer Relationship Manager) I use for my business designed specifically for photography and videographers. It offers client management, invoicing, contract management, and workflow automation, allowing creatives to efficiently manage our business operations and provide exceptional client experiences. It keeps everything organised and flowing in my business.
Use the code ‘leilei’ to receive 50% off your first 12 month subscription.
WEDDING WORKFLOWS
Would you like your Studio Ninja workflow to be written and set up for you? Let the Wedding Workflows team step in and help you out. I certainly was a game changer for me in a booked out wedding season.
Use the code ‘leilei’ in the link below to receive $50 off.
Asana
Asana is a great project management tool that helps my team and I collaborate, organise tasks, and set and meet deadlines. It streamlines communication, boosts our productivity, and simplifies our project management. This is where I set my goals, projects and plans for the year ahead.
Squarespace
The website platform I use for both my photography and education websites. I have had custom designs created on them.
Pic Time
I use Pic-time’s innovative platform to showcase and deliver galleries to my clients. It offers a suite of creative and business tools to elevate your brand and maximize potential revenue from each shoot. I love their online galleries, online print store, marketing automation, slideshows and blogs. The galleries are aesthetically beautiful and I know you will love it.
Try Pic-Time Free for 30-Days and use my personal code ‘LEILEICLAVEY’ to receive 1 bonus free month on any plan you choose.
VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS
I am a big advocate for outsourcing low value or specialist tasks and anything that does not bring me joy. It means I can focus on growing my business and spend time 'working on it', rather than 'working in it'.
There are lots of options for Virtual Assistants, including UpWork. I have found Wedding Workflows' Virtual Assistants fantastic because they are trained in Studio Ninja which is the backbone of my business. The Virtual Assistants are familiar with the customer journey of a wedding client and can support tasks such as managing emails, leads and slideshows in PicTime.
Use the code ‘leilei’ in the link below to receive $50 off.
Xero
This is the accounting software that I use. It’s easy to use and integrates with my Studio Ninja and Stripe accounts.
Slack
Slack makes it easy for me to communicate with my team and VAs and share files. It keeps our correspondence smooth and in one place rather than clogging up emails.
Editing
Editing at the luxury level is as much about restraint as it is about skill. The tools below support a workflow built around consistency, efficiency, and a signature look that has appeared in Vogue Australia and Harper's Bazaar.
Evoto AI
AI retouching that handles skin, clothing, and background distractions with a level of precision that integrates cleanly into a high-end editorial workflow. Used on every project.
Use coupon code: LEILEI for 15% off on annual subscription plans and 20% off on 200 credits pay-as-you-go
MY SIGNATURE BLACK AND WHITE PRESET
For a timeless, editorial black and white look no further than my black and white Lightroom Preset.
Imagen AI
A life changing photo editing app that uses Ai editing from your previous edits to edit your gallery within minutes.
Sign up via the link below and receive 1,500 free photo edits.
Aftershoot
Speed up your Culling with Aftershoot AI, which will analyse and pick the winning shots, while separating and grouping duplicates, blurry images, and photos with closed eyes. This AI culling tool has worked really well for my editing workflow. I am still able to see all of my images but it
Use the link below to receive 15% off your subscription.
My imagen ai Profile
I’m now selling my Imagen AI Lei Lei Clavey Signature Colour Profile (preset). The perfect starting point to achieve timeless, editorial and true-to-colour edits. Tweak as you need and create your own signature look with this profile.
Sign up via the link below and receive 1,500 free photo edits.
Editing with ai Course
Discover my simplified workflow utilising AI that has changed the game in my business. I’m excited to now bring it to you. PLUS receive my Imagen AI Preset when you purchase the course.
Albums
LLC x Hello hello Album Templates
I’ve collaborated with my design studio, Hello Hello Studio to make editorial wedding album cover templates that are easy to use and look incredible.
Album client guide
My Album Guide templates contains 35 editable pages of content and professionally written copy -written for wedding photographers but can be customised for any genre.
Vision art
My absolute favourite vendor when it comes to having my luxury wedding albums printed for my couples. They offer a range of album print sizes and so many book cover cloths, leathers and fabric options, so you will always find a beautiful option for your couples.
My couples love Vision Art’s albums because the print quality and album finish is exquisite. It is the best way to showcase their wedding day images.
Use my code “LEILEI15” to receive 15% off your first order.
SmartAlbums
SmartAlbums (Pixellu) is my go-to program for designing luxury wedding albums. SmartAlbums is a simple and powerful album builder for photographers allowing you to design, proof and print in easy steps.
My favourite part of SmartAlbums is the cloud-proofing portal allowing your clients to communicate changes and approve spreads online. My clients love it and I am sure you will to.
Use my code “leileiclavey” to receive 15% off your subscription.
Marketing & Social
Flodesk
My favourite way to send beautiful, intuitive newsletters to my community.
Use this link to receive 50% off your first year.
Canva
I use Canva to create my social media templates, reels, slideshows, client guides. It’s easy to use and there are heaps of tutorials on line to help you get creative (if you want).
Later
I’ve searched high and low for a scheduling app that works for my business. Later allows me to work with a Social Media Content Manager, preview my social media feed, approve posts and stay on top of my analytics.
Creative Market
Creative Market has great options for plug and play design solutions and *bonus* they are very affordable. If you’re wanting a ‘designed for you’ custom feel without the price tag this is the place to look. Find templates for your socials including Instagram Posts, Reels and Stories and so much more.
copywriters
Lost for words? It happens to me too.
From writing sales copy for your website to blog posts, newsletters or anything written needing that emotive touch, explore working with a copywriter.
I’ve used Pepperstorm and Cou at Sunny and Flow. Tell them Lei Lei referred you.
PINTEREST HELP
Specialising in all things marketing, branding and social media strategy, The Social Files is the go-to for the wedding industry.
I have used and recommend The Social Files for boosting your Pinterest presence if it is part of your strategy.
Gear — What I use
Digital
CANON R6 - Primary BODY
The choice for wedding work because of its low-light performance and buffering speed during continuous shooting. One body on the day - discipline in the kit is part of the discipline in the work.
CANON R5 SECOND Body
I upgraded to the R5 and it’s a beautiful camera to use however after using this for one season as my main body I decided to switch to the R6 as my main body. I am on the fence about whether as wedding photographers we need such a high mega pixel camera, our images would only really be blown up to a print size, not a billboard however I convinced myself I needed it. If you’re deciding between the R5 and R6, I would go with the R6 for both your main and back-up cameras, it’s so much better in low light and the price is better.
sigma 35mm F/1.4 Art Series Lens
Creamy and romantic, I am obsessed with my Sigma Art Series lens. I’ve trialled many lenses but always come back to this lens for shooting in tighter spaces or where I want to capture a wide-angle such as in churches, ceremony or the ambience of a wedding reception.
Canon RF 50mm F/1.2L USM LENS
The lens that does the most work. Particularly for couple portraits and fashion details where the wide aperture and rendering quality are irreplaceable.
CANON EF 28mm F2.8 PANCAKE Lens
Lightweight, with the great focal length, it captures the atmosphere of the room. I find I use this mostly for large group photos when I need the room, and also for dance floor with either my on-camera flash or hand-held off-camera flash. Because of its weight I can easily carry my camera + pancake lens in one hand and then the flash in the other and capture some awesome shots. Getting up close to the action gets the best results I find.
Gear — What I use
Film
Film is used selectively on wedding days, not just for aesthetics but because certain moments are better served by it. What follows is a working film kit, not a collector's list.
Canon EOS 3 EOS-3 SLR 35mm Film
A simple to use 35mm film camera with manual and auto capabilities. I use either a 45mm or 28mm lens on this camera.
Olympus Mju i
Simple to use, can live in your pocket. Takes amazing shots and the guests love it.
Urban Supply Seven is my go to for film cameras and questions.
FUJI GA645
This medium format point and shoot camera takes gorgeous images. While some say it’s not the best for wedding days as it’s loud, I just choose my timing right (i.e. not during the middle of a quiet ceremony). It shoots beautiful images and I’m really happy with it a medium format alternative to my 35mm Canon and Olympus options.
Accessories
Kodak Portra 400
My go-to colour film. It has a beautiful quality to it and matches well with my colour edit.
Kodak Tri-x Black and White film
I’ve been shooting a lot of Tri-x lately and have been loving it. Ilford Delta 3200 is another favourite and my digital black and white preset is based of this with a little less grain than the film version. With black and white film it’s a personal preference so jump onto Amazon, or ideally a local film distributor and have a browse.
I also edit my colour Portra 400 film to black and white in post production as a back up option so I am not only shooting on black and white.
ROSE ANVIL CAMERA Harness
Easily the most comfortable and style-conscious camera harness I have tried. I use a Bandit Harness for dual cameras but they also have Lone Bandit Harness, as well as a 3rd Camera Attachment Kit.
Kamrette Backpack
I use the Lyra backpack from Kampette for every wedding. For the large yet compact wearable size it holds an impressive amount of gear. I carry 2 x Canon camera bodies, 3 x lens (35mm, 50mm & 85mm), batteries, memory cards, a battery charger, 1 x flash and sometimes I even fit one or two film cameras and film in it too. It’s filled to the brim and quite heavy but it’s as sturdy as anything.
Godex V1-c Speedlite Flash
Solid performer and my go-to for reception and dance floor images. Pro-tip: purchase the Godox AK-R1 accessories kit with your flash which includes Barn Door, Snoot, Color Filter, Reflector, Honeycomb, Diffuser Ball Kit. I use the diffuser ball on my flash 99% of the time but the other flash accessories are fun to play around with.
Disclosure: Some of what is listed are affiliate links, which means when you click the link and purchase through my page you don’t pay any more but I may receive a commission for sharing these resources with you. I only endorse products I genuinely love and personally use.