Booking & Automation Hub:
Stop Chasing. Start Automating.
Everything you need to know about online booking, calendar management, workflow automation, and running a photography business on autopilot.
Try TogNinja FreeWhat is Online Booking for Photographers?
Online booking lets clients schedule sessions directly on your website—without the back-and-forth emails, text messages, or phone tag.
Instead of asking "When are you free?", clients see your real-time availability, pick a slot, and book instantly.
Modern booking systems like TogNinja also:
- →Sync with your calendar (Google, iCal, Outlook)
- →Send automatic reminders (email + SMS)
- →Collect deposits or full payment at booking
- →Trigger workflows (send contract, questionnaire, prep guide)
- →Block out travel time, prep time, and buffer windows
The result? You save 5-10 hours per week and book more clients—because booking is instant, easy, and frictionless.
Why Every Photographer Needs Online Booking
1. Book Clients While You Sleep
Clients can book 24/7—even when you're shooting, editing, or on vacation.
2. No More Email Ping-Pong
"Are you free Tuesday?" "No, how about Thursday?" "That doesn't work…" Online booking eliminates all of that.
3. Get Paid Upfront
Require a deposit (or full payment) at the time of booking. No more chasing payments.
4. Look More Professional
Online booking screams "I'm a pro." It builds trust and eliminates friction.
Must-Have Features for Photography Booking Systems
Real-Time Availability
Clients see your actual availability—synced with Google Calendar or your CRM. No double bookings.
Session Types & Pricing
Set up different session types (wedding, portrait, newborn) with custom pricing, durations, and availability rules.
Buffer Times
Automatically block time before and after sessions for travel, setup, or editing. Protect your schedule.
Automatic Reminders
Send email or SMS reminders 7 days, 1 day, and 1 hour before sessions. Reduce no-shows by 90%.
Payment Integration
Collect deposits or full payment via Stripe or PayPal at the time of booking.
Workflow Triggers
When a client books, automatically send a contract, questionnaire, or prep guide. Everything flows seamlessly.
What is Workflow Automation?
Workflow automation means setting up trigger-based actions that run automatically based on client behavior.
Example: Wedding Booking Workflow
1.Client books → Send welcome email + contract
2.Contract signed → Send invoice for deposit
3.Deposit paid → Send wedding questionnaire
4.7 days before → Send reminder + shot list
5.After shoot → Send "Thank you" email
6.Gallery delivered → Ask for testimonial
This entire workflow runs automatically—saving you hours every week and ensuring no client falls through the cracks.
TogNinja vs Other Booking Systems
| Feature | TogNinja | Calendly | Acuity | HoneyBook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online Booking | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Payment Collection | ✓ | ⚠️ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CRM Included | ✓ | — | — | ✓ |
| Galleries Included | ✓ | — | — | — |
| Contracts & Invoices | ✓ | — | — | ✓ |
| AI Blog Generation | ✓ | — | — | — |
| Workflow Automation | ✓ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ✓ |
| Starting Price | €29/mo | Free | $16/mo | $39/mo |
✓ = Included | ⚠️ = Limited | — = Not included
Why TogNinja Wins:
Calendly and Acuity are booking tools only. You still need separate tools for CRM, galleries, invoicing, and content. TogNinja is an all-in-one platform that simplifies your entire workflow.
What is the Mini-Session Builder?
The Mini-Session Builder is a special tool for photographers who run high-volume, back-to-back mini sessions (like holiday minis, spring minis, or headshot days).
Instead of manually creating 20 individual booking slots, you set up:
- →Date & location
- →Session length (e.g. 15 minutes)
- →Number of slots (e.g. 20 slots)
- →Pricing & deposit amount
TogNinja automatically creates 20 individual booking slots, collects payments, and sends reminders. Clients book instantly—you fill your day in hours, not days.
Best Practices for Online Booking
1. Require Deposits at Booking
This eliminates no-shows and ensures clients are serious. Even a €50 deposit works wonders.
2. Use Buffer Times
Block 30-60 minutes before and after sessions for travel, setup, and editing time.
3. Set Lead Times
Require clients to book at least 48 hours in advance. This gives you time to prep.
4. Send Automatic Reminders
Reminders 7 days, 1 day, and 1 hour before sessions reduce no-shows by 90%.
5. Embed Booking on Your Website
Add a "Book Now" button on your homepage, pricing page, and contact page. Make it easy.
Ready to Automate Your Booking?
Try TogNinja's Smart Booking System free for 14 days.
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