Setting up Bontro for a photography studio

Whether you shoot portraits, families, or commercial work, Bontro handles session booking, deposits, client intake, and payment in one place. Here is how to configure it for a photography studio.

Step 1: Create your session types as services Go to Dashboard → Services → Add Service. Common session types to set up:

- Headshots — 30 min, $150 - Mini Session — 30 min, $200 - Family Portrait — 60 min, $300 - Newborn Session — 90 min, $350 - Engagement Session — 60 min, $400 - Boudoir — 90 min, $500 - Brand / Commercial — 120 min (set to "starting at" pricing, send a payment request for the final amount)

Set buffer time (15–30 min) between sessions for equipment reset, travel, or editing notes.

Step 2: Require a deposit or full payment Photography sessions have real prep cost — scouting, travel, editing hours. Protect that time:

- Short sessions and headshots: Full payment at booking. The slot is fully committed the moment they pay. - Longer or higher-ticket sessions (family, newborn, wedding): 50% deposit at booking, remaining 50% after delivery via payment request.

Set this in the service editor under Deposit or Full Payment Required.

Step 3: Add intake questions Collect shoot details before clients arrive. Recommended questions (add in the service editor or use a consent form):

- Location preference (text) — "Preferred shoot location or any specific spots in mind?" - Style / vibe (text) — "How would you describe the look? (natural, editorial, moody, bright, etc.)" - Number of subjects (text, for family / groups) — "How many people will be in the photos? Ages of any children?" - Wardrobe notes (text) — "Do you have an outfit in mind, or would you like styling suggestions?" - Special requests (text) — "Anything else we should know?" - Inspiration links (text) — "Paste a link to any inspiration images (optional)"

Step 4: Set a weather-friendly cancellation policy Photography is often weather-dependent. A 48-hour window with a fee equal to your deposit is common. In your policy text, add a note like: "Outdoor shoots may be rescheduled without penalty for severe weather. Client and photographer must agree to reschedule within 24 hours of the original session."

Go to Settings → Cancellation Policy.

Step 5: Sync your calendar Photographers often juggle multiple shoot locations and personal commitments. Subscribe to your Bontro calendar feed (Settings → Booking Page → Calendar Sync) so all bookings appear in Google Calendar or Apple Calendar automatically — no manual entry needed.

Step 6: Delivering edited photos Bontro handles booking and payment. It does not host deliverables. Use a gallery service (Pixieset, Pic-Time, Google Drive, Dropbox) for edited photo delivery. Include the gallery link in a follow-up message or broadcast email to your client after delivery.