If you’re a preschool photographer tired of emailing proofs, wrangling spreadsheets, or spending your nights labeling image files… I see you.
Truly, I’ve been there. I was using gallery platforms that weren’t built for volume work, sending parents dozens of links, and juggling way too many tabs at once. I’d end up spending more time on the backend than I did taking actual photos.
That all changed when I discovered GotPhoto for preschool photography. Switching to this photography software was a total game-changer for me. Not only did it streamline my workflow, but it actually made photo day feel fun again.
Hey, I’m Christine—If you’re a fellow photographer looking to simplify your own photo day madness (or just curious about how I do what I do) I’ve got a whole stash of free resources, guides, and mentorship opportunities waiting for you right over here.
In this post, I’m walking you through how I used to run my school photo workflow, what finally convinced me to try GotPhoto, the features I now can’t live without, and how you can try it too (yep—I’ve got a GotPhoto promo code link to share with you!).
My Preschool Photography Process: Before GotPhoto
Let me paint you a picture of what my workflow used to look like:
I started off using Pixieset for school photography. It worked fine at first, but once I hit larger school contracts, it became unmanageable. For one school alone, I had 120 kids, which meant I had to create 120 different galleries. Yes, one for each child.
That’s 120 galleries to click through, label, double-check for typos, and assign expiration dates to (and yes, I once forgot to add expiration dates… which meant none of my reminder emails were sent out—yikes!). It was hours of clicking between folders just to make small changes. When it was time to release the galleries, I had to go into each one and press publish. Manually. One at a time.
I remember thinking, Do I need to hire an assistant just to manage this part of my business?!
That was my breaking point.
I loved photographing the kids. I loved editing the galleries. But I hated the admin side of it, and it was only getting worse as my business grew. If you’re using a system not built for volume, you know exactly what I mean. From uploading files, matching names, chasing payments, and troubleshooting links… it felt like I was working two jobs.
What Got Me to Finally Try GotPhoto
I first heard about GotPhoto for preschool photography from other volume photographers. People were saying it totally transformed how they handled bulk sessions, and I was intrigued.
I poked around their website, read a few GotPhoto reviews, and saw features like built-in marketing, face recognition, and QR code matching. At first, I’ll admit I was intimidated. New software always feels overwhelming, and I wasn’t sure I had the bandwidth to learn a whole new system.
But at the same time, I knew something had to change. I was spending way too much time on tasks that had nothing to do with photography. I wanted to scale my school photo work without burning out. So I gave GotPhoto a try, and I’m so glad I did.
P.S. Want to save even more time? I use Imagen AI (learn more here) to batch edit my school galleries lightning fast. It learns your editing style and applies it for you—basically magic. Total game-changer. Go check it out and receive 1500 free edits with my promo code!
How GotPhoto Transformed My Workflow
Here’s a breakdown of the features that totally changed the game for me. These aren’t just perks—they’re time-saving, stress-reducing lifesavers built right into this school photography software.
Automated Online Galleries
No more building galleries one by one. GotPhoto automatically creates galleries for each student. Parents get a secure link, log in, and order what they want. Done.
Private, Secure Access
Every parent only sees their child’s photos. No crossed wires, no wrong links. It feels professional, safe, and polished.
No More Manual Matching
This one still blows my mind. With GotPhoto’s QR code feature, I snap a photo of a QR code before I photograph the child. That’s it. On the backend, GotPhoto matches the photos to the right gallery. No sorting, no filenames, no folders. It’s magic.
Built-in Marketing Tools
GotPhoto sends automated reminder emails to parents, so sales don’t fall through the cracks. This feature alone boosted my orders without me lifting a finger.
Batch Shipping & Lab Fulfillment
This one’s my favorite: I can set a school to be “batch shipping,” meaning all print orders go directly to my lab of choice. They handle printing, sorting, and packaging, and ship everything back to me. Before this, I had to manually order, collate, and bundle prints myself. Now? It’s completely off my plate.
Year-Over-Year Stats & Tracking
I love data. GotPhoto gives me insights into gallery opens, orders, and sales across schools. I can even compare stats from one year to the next. It’s helped me refine my pricing and know where to focus for growth.
Customer Support That’s Actually Helpful
When I had questions, their support team was friendly, fast, and incredibly knowledgeable. That made the learning curve so much easier.
New to school photography? I offer mentoring for photographers who want to break into preschool photography but don’t know where to start. I’ll walk you through it all. Workflow, marketing, pricing, and more. Let’s build something awesome together!
Real Results: What Changed for Me
After switching to GotPhoto for preschool photography, here’s what actually changed:
- I saved hours per school (seriously, hours.)
- My emails to parents dropped to a fraction of what they were before.
- Galleries looked polished and professional.
- More parents placed orders, and I didn’t have to chase them.
- I felt way more confident and in control of my school photography workflow.
Honestly, it helped me fall back in love with school photography. Before, I was seriously considering stepping back because of how draining the admin was. Now, I can take on more clients and have more time for editing, mentoring, and my own family.
The Quick & Honest: GotPhoto Pros & Cons
Of course, no system is perfect. So here’s an honest rundown of what I love, and what I’ve learned to live with.
PRO
Batch shipping is a total game-changer. I can set a school to be “batch shipping,” which means all the print sales are sent straight to my lab of choice. They handle the printing, sorting, and packaging—and ship everything to me, ready to deliver to the school. Before GotPhoto, I was manually placing orders, organizing stacks of prints, stuffing envelopes… it was A LOT. Now? Totally off my plate. HALLELUJAH.
CON
GotPhoto takes a percentage of your sales. Yep. It’s not ideal, and I won’t sugarcoat it. But in exchange, I get a smoother workflow, less admin chaos, and WAY more time back. You do have options though! If you want to use the free version, they’ll take a higher percentage but give you less storage. If you opt into a $50/month plan, they take a smaller cut and you get more storage.
Want to Try It? Here’s a GotPhoto Promo Code for You
Ready to try it for yourself? I’ve got a GotPhoto link just for you!
Whether you’re working with one preschool or juggling multiple schools, GotPhoto is worth testing out. Start small, try it with a mini-session day or a small class and see how it feels.
There’s a free version you can use if you’re only photographing a few times a year, or you can upgrade for better storage and lower commission fees. The pricing is flexible, and you can adjust your plan as needed. I personally switch between plans depending on the season, and that flexibility is just another thing I love.
Final Thoughts on GotPhoto for Preschool Photography
So, what do you think? Could GotPhoto be the best preschool photography software? If you’re photographing schools without a system like GotPhoto, you’re doing way too much. And if you’re anything like me, you didn’t start this business because you love spreadsheets and order management. You started it because you love photography.
The learning curve is absolutely worth it, and honestly, it’s not even that steep. GotPhoto has excellent onboarding support, and once you’ve set it up, it’s like having a virtual assistant handling all the nitty-gritty behind the scenes.
Let tech take care of the busywork so you can get back to what matters: connecting with your clients, creating beautiful photos, and maybe—just maybe—enjoying your weekends again.
If you’re new to school photography (or just want help figuring out if GotPhoto is a good fit for your workflow) I’d love to chat! And don’t forget, I offer 1:1 mentoring if you’re looking for hands-on guidance as you get started. Shoot me a message here, and let’s talk shop!
Or grab your GotPhoto coupon code right here and dive in!
You’ve got this—and trust me, your future self will thank you.
