The Loc'd Bella

One day, while scrolling through social media, I came across West Street and immediately felt compelled to inquire about a work-study program. This video above was captured in 2015 during a photography session by Jimi Sweet, the studio’s owner/manager. I remember I was still trying to figure out the whole photography thing while working as a Reservationist in Midtown. I had no “formal” training, no professional gear and all I had were willing friends who wanted to be my models. Little did I know, that opportunity would then lead me down the road to where I am now with a thriving business and working alongside my epic Ma-tographer, Amy Anaiz.

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Unfortunately, my dad passed that year and I became a recluse. I gave up my work-study, photography and not long after, met Amy, who I now consider my own personal mentor and sister (despite me calling her “Ma”). Haha! Over the last three years, I’ve managed to take my business off overwhelm and into autopilot because of the lessons and skills I’ve learned while working during my time at West Street and creating with Amy. If there’s one thing I’ve learned while having a mentor is that it’s okay to share your resources and anything you believe can help someone else without overextending to exhaustion. So here I am, ready to share with you the processes and applications I use on a daily to keep my business up and running and still have the time to do other important things.

Resources

I know you’re here for one thing, so I’m not going to keep you long. Below, you’ll find the applications I use. Let’s keep it real though! Although there are some good deals in signing up with these links, there are some that are affiliate links. What does that mean? It means I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. I just needed to be transparent with you so you can make the best decision for you and your business.

TAVE:

I’ve been using Tave since January 2020 at the suggestion by a friend. Note, they are not a wedding photographer, but rather a wedding planner. What is Tave? It is an application that helps in keeping me organized in so many ways. It allows me to have everything in one place. I’m talking about contracts, emails, invoices, payment processing, workflow lists, calendars, questionnaires, and quotes. And guess how much I am paying per month? A whopping $25 per month for all of that. I remember when I first started, I had an app for everything. I had an app for taking payments, one for workflows, one for calendars, my email app, and an app for invoices. Then I’d head over to Microsoft Word to draft up contracts and questionnaires. Not only is Tave saving me money, it’s saving me time; literally and figuratively. By the click of a button, I’ve created a workflow for one client and all I have to do is press send. No extra drafting of things, going back and forth between different apps. If you decide to try it, you can do so for 60 days by signing up HERE. I know! You’re welcome!

PIXIESET:

I remember finding Pixieset years ago and I am still using it. If you are a photographer, it is the coolest and most modern way of sharing photos with your clients. The presentation is gorgeous and not to mention, they have different templates you can choose from for delivery. Oh! Did you know that you can attach a printing lab to your galleries and if a client decides to order images, it goes directly to the lab? Yes! If they order prints, the lab will send it directly to them. You do nothing. Like I’ve been saying, I’m all about saving time because TIME is MONEY! Most recently, they’ve added Pixieset Website where you’re able to build your site without having to upload new images. You can do that with the images you already have in your collections. The site templates are CHIC, MODERN, SIMPLE, and easy to navigate. So not only are we saving time, we are doing it while looking poppin! OKURR!! Check out Pixieset and tell me what you think!

SQUARE:

I know, I know! You use PayPal and there’s nothing wrong with it. However, I am a big fan of Square for features such as the ability to create marketing campaigns specific for social media and/or newsletters. I’ve been able to create specialized coupon codes and a loyalty program for my trusted clients. If you’re a business with employees, you are able to use their payroll and timecard options within the app. Not to mention, their mobile app is extremely efficient. You’re able to send invoices, set appointments through online booking, and create gift cards for your holiday marketing strategies if you’re into that sort of thing. What I love most about Square is that I’ve been able to connect it to my Tave system to collect payments and these payments I can immediately transfer to my bank account or debit card for less than a 2% fee.

FLODESK:

Alright, so I’m gonna be a little honest with you. I’ve been neglecting my newsletter for roughly… 2 years. I know! That’s a long-ass time! It’s not what you think, I promise. See what had happened was, I had MailChimp right? And it was so tedious to manage that I just gave up on it. Then my internet BB, Chasing Denisse, mentioned Flodesk on her story once and I went to check that baby out! Look here, Bellas, Flodesk is the truth! Simple and easy to use. The templates are sexy AF! I was able to create and send out my first newsletter last month in under 30 mins. When you sign up HERE (I say when, because you will dump MailChimp LOL!), you’ll get 50% off your subscription.

CREATIVE MARKET:

Now, what’s the point of building a website, setting up payment processing and creating a whole workflow if your branding and look is non-existent. That’s why I love Creative Market. It’s an online space where you can purchase anything from presets or actions for your photos, social media templates, and website templates to help with the look of your business. I’ll go on and on, but there’s no need when you can look for yourself. You can buy me a latte when you’re done.

CREATIVE LIVE:

Now, over the winter break, I’ve been spending 1-2 days per week watching online courses I’ve purchased/been gifted and learning from webinars to help with improving my business. I was introduced to Creative Live by Jimi years ago and have been hooked ever since. I’ve learned about lighting, posing, photography skills I can improve on to make my portraits pop and even small marketing details to take my business from basic to bougie. With Creative Live, you can attend the class the day of, watch a replay or purchase to watch at your leisure. That’s not to say I don’t learn and get hands-on experience working with Amy, but when I’m not shooting with her or my own weddings/sessions, I need to make sure I’m keeping my skills sharp and improving as I go.

With that said, go out and be bad AF. Don’t play small. Take it one day at a time and continuously work on improving not just your business, but yourself. I hope these apps (if you decide to try) assist in enhancing your systems and allocate more time to spend time with friends and family.

What apps do you normally use to streamline your business daily?

xoxo,

Bella

You’ve read the title right. Thanks to the beautiful staff at O! Magazine, and JCPenney, your girl was given the opportunity to not only create content for JCPenney this holiday that was featured in print (see here), but to attend Oprah’s Favorite Things 2019. With this being such an envied occasion, I figured channeling my inner Cookie Lyon on a budget was the best option.

At first, I was too shocked to even respond to the email. However, once I said yes to the invitation, I knew sequin and fur were going to be the staple for the evening, so we went hunting. Luckily, I was able to find this Premier Amour Off the Shoulder Ombre Sequin Sheath Dress and since I was already in possession of the Liz Claiborne Midweight Faux Fur Coat, a perfect match was made in heaven.

Now, you’re thinking it’s too cold to have your toes out. But baby, my toes gon be out if Ubering is my middle name and I was only 20 mins from the event location. Also, it was inside (obviously), with heat on. Ain’t nobody trying to have sweaty toes throughout the night. Not only were these Qupid Womens Hurst-16 Heeled Sandals comfy as heck, but I also received so many compliments that the Leo in me didn’t want to take them. (insert hair flip & runway walk)

I’m not going to lie, the level of gratitude that surged through my soul and down to the depths of heart for the opportunity of a lifetime is indescribable. Here I was enjoying a moment I never thought I was suppose to be a part of and all I could think was, I can’t wait to share this with loved ones. At the beginning of the year, I suffered loss after loss and now at the end of it, only to find myself rebuilding, refocusing, and resurfacing better than I was and the O! team has been a part of that journey. So thanks O! Mag. You’ve made 2019 of the best years yet.

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This post is sponsored by Cuddl Duds but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

If you ask my friends, I’m the traveling friend who needs to be comfortable throughout the whole day but will drop enough cash on accommodations that’s cute, clean, and you’ve guessed it… COMFY! If you’ve been around long enough, you know my three C’s; Chic, Comfy, and Cute and if it doesn’t include one of the three, I will not participate. Thankfully, I was given the opportunity to experience the warmth of Cuddl Duds new layering pieces this fall and baby, it’s a win.

With New York’s changing temperature and my need to be warm and at ease while traveling, I always look for pieces that are transitional and efficient. My choice was the Long Sleeve Hoodie Tunic and Leggings to match in Aqua Deer Stripe from Cuddl Duds. Not only is it comfortable enough to run small errands, such as picking up travel size items from the pharmacy or small snacks from the grocery store to hide in my carry-on before hopping on a plane, but it’s also snuggly enough to wait around a hotel lobby without feeling any form of discomfort.

I fell in love mostly with the tunic for three reasons; it’s such an easy fit, the kangaroo pockets in the front, and the thumbholes at the end of the sleeve. It makes it perfect if you decide to layer with another sweater or light jacket on top when heading out. As for the leggings, they have a body-hugging fit and side seam pockets that make it effortless to conceal a wallet or small items.