Why photographers need a personal CRM
A lot of photography work comes back around: past clients who book again for engagements, newborns or family sessions, and planners, venues and other vendors who recommend you. Those leads go quiet when the only record is an old email thread. A personal CRM keeps the people and the follow-ups in one place.
What photographers keep in BlackBook
- Past clients with the details that matter later, like a wedding date, a baby on the way or a move
- Planners, venues, florists and other vendors who referred you, and a reminder to thank them
- People you met at styled shoots, workshops and meetups and meant to keep in touch with
- When to check in with a past client about their next session
- Birthdays and anniversaries, so a quick note goes out on the right day
- Pulse, which suggests who to reach out to next from your notes, history and reminders
Next to your studio tools, not instead of them
BlackBook isn’t built for bookings, contracts, invoices or galleries. Keep those where they are. Use BlackBook for the relationships that bring the next booking.
Private by design
There’s no account or login. Your notes stay on your iPhone and private iCloud, there are no ad SDKs, and your data is never sold. Start free with the 25 past clients and vendors you most want to stay in touch with.
More on this: a birthday reminder app for iPhone, how to keep in touch with people, and a personal CRM for event planners.
BlackBook facts
- Platform: iPhone, iOS 17.6 or later
- Price: free download; optional BlackBook Pro subscription (prices shown in the app)
- Free plan: 25 people, 2 notes per person, 30 days of interaction history
- Pro: unlimited people and full history, VIP reminders and insights, relationship notes with tags, duplicate detection, BlackBook AI
- AI: on-device via Apple Intelligence (Pro, iOS 26, compatible iPhone)
- Privacy: data on your device and private iCloud, no account, no ad SDKs, data never sold
- Developer: Preston Earnest / Earnestly Studios LLC
Frequently asked questions
Does BlackBook replace my studio management software?
No. BlackBook doesn’t do bookings, contracts, invoices, questionnaires or galleries. If you use a studio tool for those, keep it. BlackBook is for the relationships around the work: past clients, vendors, venues and referral partners, and remembering when to reach out.
What do photographers use a personal CRM for?
Mostly repeat and referral business: remembering anniversaries and milestones of past clients, keeping in touch with planners, venues and other vendors who refer work, and following up with people you met at styled shoots, workshops and local events.
Is my data private?
BlackBook needs no account. Your people and notes stay on your iPhone and in your private iCloud. There are no ad SDKs, and your data is never sold.
Is BlackBook free?
BlackBook is free to download with a free plan of 25 people, two notes per person and 30 days of interaction history. BlackBook Pro is an optional subscription for unlimited people and full history: in the US it’s $4.99 a month or $29.99 a year, and the annual plan includes a 1-week free trial. Prices are shown in the app.
What iPhones does it run on?
BlackBook requires iOS 17.6 or later. On iOS 26 with a compatible iPhone, BlackBook Pro adds on-device Apple Intelligence features.
Turn past clients into the next booking.
BlackBook is free to download for iPhone (iOS 17.6+). Start with 25 people, no account needed.
Get BlackBook – Personal CRM