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How to Set Up Online Booking for Photographers

The back-and-forth of booking a shoot is a quiet time sink: trading dates over email, repeating your prices, chasing deposits. A booking page does that work for you, so clients can reach out or book on their own while you shoot. Here's how to set one up.

The problem with booking over email​

Every new inquiry by email means the same routine: check your calendar, send some dates, answer the same questions, wait for a reply, and hope the date is still free by the time they decide. Multiply that by every lead and it eats hours you could spend behind the camera.

Inquire first, or book instantly?​

Online booking isn't one-size-fits-all. The right setup depends on the work:

  • Let clients inquire first for weddings and custom shoots, where you want to talk before committing. Clients send their details, and you decide what to send next.
  • Let clients book instantly for portraits, headshots, and repeatable sessions. They pick a time, pay if needed, and walk away with a confirmation.
  • Run mini sessions for holiday minis or pop-up days, where you publish short slots and clients grab one fast.

Many photographers use a mix, with different services set up different ways.

Collect a deposit to lock the date​

A date isn't really booked until money changes hands. Taking a deposit (or full payment) when a client books filters out no-shows and protects your calendar. Online booking lets you require that payment as part of the flow, so you're not chasing it afterward.

Sync your calendar so you never double-book​

The fastest way to lose trust is to book two clients at once. Connecting your calendar means the times you're already busy disappear from your booking page automatically, and new bookings show up on your calendar without you lifting a finger.

How to set up booking in CoreHue​

  1. Create your services. Set up each thing you offer, a portrait session, a wedding inquiry, a mini session day, with its price and details. See Services.
  2. Choose how clients book. Pick Inquiry mode to review first, or Self-service mode for instant booking.
  3. Set your availability. Add your working hours, buffer time, and any days off so clients only see times that actually work. See Availability.
  4. Connect your calendar. Link Google Calendar so busy times are blocked and bookings sync automatically.
  5. Share your booking page. Send the link, add it to your social profiles, and let clients come to you.

Next step​

Start by setting up your first service in Services, or read the Bookings overview to see how it all fits together.

Need a hand getting set up? Email us at hello@corehue.co.