In the last two posts, I listed ten ways Evernote helps me stay organized in my personal and professional life. This post centers around freelance photography, and how Evernote keeps me sane.

Part III: Photography

Clipping tutorials, pose/style ideas, lighting diagrams and more

I’m constantly surfing the web looking for inspiration, ideas, and tutorials. Whenever I find something interesting, I use the Evernote Web Clipper for Chrome to save the article in a Photography Notes Notebook. I generally tag the article according to what type of note it is: tutorial, lighting, pose, etc. The latest version of the Web Clipper for Chrome added all kinds of cool functionality–I can even mark up a page before sending it to Evernote.

Clients

Each client gets his/her/its own notebook. All information related to that client is stored there. Phone calls, emails, ideas, etc.

Model Profiles

I have one Models notebook where I keep basic information about the people I shoot. A headshot, along with availability and preferred shooting styles makes it easy to search for just the right person when an idea comes to mind.

Release Forms

It’s always a good idea to keep these handy. I haven’t done any commercial work, but even for TF work, I like to have a release form. I keep these all in one notebook. Since Evernote Premium allows me to search text within PDF files, finding a release form is easy. I use an app called Easy Release on my iPad, and it allows me to email signed PDF copies directly to my Evernote account.

Sharing Notebooks With Clients

Occasionally, I’ll create a shared notebook for a client where we can collaborate on ideas before and after a shoot. It’s a great way to make sure we’re both on the same page before we even start shooting, and go over final edits afterwards.

Location Scouting

This is one of my favorite uses for Evernote. Any time I see a place I think would work well in a shoot, I create a photo note. Since Evernote geotags notes, finding that spot again is as easy as pulling up a map from the note’s location data.

Website Information

I have a notebook for my website. All style information (colors, fonts, custom CSS, etc.) gets recorded here. Also, any modifications to themes is noted so if something breaks, I can go back and look to see what I did to break it. Common graphics are stored here, as well so I have access to them no matter where I am.

Blog Post Research

I go back and forth as far as where I actually write my posts, but research is always done in Evernote. I collect photos, links, and supporting information in an Evernote Note first, then write the post in whatever tool I’m keen on at the time. At the moment, I’m writing in iA Writer. It’s my favorite writing tool, because I can write in Markdown, and copy HTML. It also syncs via iCloud to the iOS version of the app, so I can write anywhere.

Camera and equipment documentation

As a guy, I’m pretty sure I’m genetically predisposed to avoid reading manuals. That said, occasionally I need to look something up. Whenever I get a new gadget or piece of equipment, I put a PDF copy of the owner’s manual into an Owner’s Manual notebook.

Software Serial Numbers

As a side note, has anyone else taken advantage of Adobe’s Photographers CC Package? $9.99 a month for Photoshop and Lightroom. It’s a sweet deal for anyone who doesn’t need the rest of the Adobe Suite. The catch is, you have to have a previous standalone version of Photoshop CS. Luckily, I keep all my serial numbers in an Evernote note. My more recent CS serials are volume licensed from work, (which won’t get me the promotional Adobe pricing,) but before I started using our volume licensing, I had one personal copy of Photoshop. The serial number for that was in my Serial Numbers note, so getting the Photographer’s Package was simple. As an added bonus, having all those serial numbers in one place helps when I get a new laptop and have to reinstall everything.

 

I will be in San Francisco later this week for the Evernote Conference. Keep an eye on my Twitter feed for updates and pictures!

Don’t forget–you can use the code EC25 to get a discount off your conference fees.