If you’ve ever found yourself buried in a pile of crumpled receipts, scrolling through your bank statements trying to figure out where your money went, or frantically Googling “how to track mileage for taxes,” you’re not alone. Many photographers—especially in the first few years of business—start out using a mix of notes apps, spreadsheets, and sheer hope to manage their finances.

But as your business grows, so does the need for clarity, consistency, and control.

In my latest YouTube video, I’m answering a big question I get all the time:
Do you really need accounting software for your photography business?
Spoiler alert: It depends. But in this video, I’ll help you figure out where you are in your business journey and whether now’s the time to make the switch.

Here’s what we’ll cover in the video:

• Whether spreadsheets are still enough for where you are now
  
• The income threshold that usually signals it’s time for an upgrade
  
• The benefits of using software (hint: it’s not just about taxes!)
  
• My top recommendations for the top accounting softwares for photographers
  
• How to choose the one that fits your business best
  

Whether you’re shooting a handful of sessions each year or you’re starting to earn consistent five-figure revenue, the video walks you through what accounting tools will actually support your growth—without adding stress.

I also break down the top accounting softwares for photographers, including:

• QuickBooks Self-Employed – perfect for solo shooters who want automation and mileage tracking.
  
• Wave – a solid, free option for new photographers just getting started.
  
• HoneyBook or Dubsado – CRMs that include light bookkeeping features, perfect if you like having all your systems in one place.
  

And don’t worry—this isn’t about pushing fancy software on you before you’re ready. I’ll help you understand the why behind using these tools and give you a checklist to help decide what’s right for you right now.

Click the link below to watch the full video and download your free masterclass:

XOXO – Heather

https://youtu.be/HVOtyYZxiyY

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Few things make me more excited than getting the chance to help another photographer prepare for an easier tax season (and keep more of their hard-earned income! So, don’t forget to sign up for my free class — Maximizing Your Tax Deductions as a Photographer.  

Give me an hour of your time, and I can show you:

➡️How to reduce your tax liability and improve your cash flow with tax deductions.

➡️The 5 key deductions every photographer needs to know about (and should probably be using).

➡️What qualifies for these deductions, and what doesn’t.

➡️How to calculate the deductions that aren’t simple and straightforward. 

Last year I cut my taxable income by $12,817 just by utilizing the 5 key deductions I’m going to be sharing with you, so this is a class you won’t want to miss! 

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Let’s Prep for Tax Season – Together

Keep more of what you make inside of your business with these 5 key deductions for photographers. I’m sharing all inside of my free class — Maximizing Your Tax Deductions as a Photographer!

Make tracking your numbers easy with my Tax Prep Spreadsheet and ensure that tax season is a breeze.

Transform your passion into a thriving business and unlock success for your photography business with my free guide to setting goals for the first year of your photography business.

Mastering your business taxes starts with understanding the different tax categories. Grab my free tax category guide to take the first step towards stress-free taxes today.

Want taxes to suck less? Learn how to correctly prepare your taxes for your accountant with the Photographer Tax Course – and say hello to a confident and calm tax season!

Don’t know what you don’t know? You’re just 90 minutes from a custom tax prep system with my 1:1 Tax Prep Mentoring sessions!

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