From Overwhelm to Organized: 8 To-Do List Tips for Horse Photographers

If you’re a horse photographer juggling client work, marketing, editing, and everything in between, organization is key. With so many tasks on your plate, you need a strategy to ensure nothing falls through the cracks. The solution lies in mastering the art of the to-do list. Here are some to-do list tips for horse photographers.

Divide and Conquer: Lists, Lists, and More Lists

Start by breaking down your overwhelming to-do list into manageable sections.

Personally, I like to use a legal pad to keep all my to-do lists in one place. This way, I can flip pages to start a new list without losing track or misplacing my list.

My personal list includes reminders like grocery shopping and tasks related to my kids, while my business lists focus on client work, marketing tasks, and planning upcoming horse and equestrian photography sessions.

Categorizing your tasks makes it easier to focus on what needs immediate attention. I usually divide my list into personal tasks, client work, and marketing. This simple method lets me see which area requires my focus the most.

Workflow Warriors: The Battle Against Time-Sucks

Time is your most precious commodity in the world of small business ownership. After all, we are all wearing multiple hats.  Repetitive time-suck tasks can easily chip away at your productivity.

If you have been looking for to-do list tips for photographers and are following someone who claims there is only one way to do it correctly, I would have to (politely) argue with that.

While many gurus insist there’s only one correct way to manage a to-do list, the truth is that the best way to do it is the way that works for you—your style and your brain. If your system doesn’t work for you, it won’t get done, no matter how pretty or organized it looks.

So, find a method that fits your style. Maybe you prefer a digital app, a physical planner, or a simple sticky note system. Stick to what works and make it a part of your daily routine.

Prioritize Like a Pro: Tackle What Matters First

Prioritizing tasks requires strategy.

Some people need a quick dopamine hit first thing in the morning, so completing an easy task can set a positive tone for the day. For example, I had a friend who always put “drink coffee” on her to-do list. She loved the satisfaction of checking off a task at 7 a.m. and feeling like she had already accomplished something.

Personally, I start my day by choosing one hard/long task—something that demands brainpower or several hours—one medium task, and a couple of short/easy tasks. I tackle the longer or harder tasks earlier in the day before lunch because that’s when my brain is working at optimal strength. Then, I save the easier or shorter ones for later in the day when my brain starts to wind down.

It all comes down to how your brain works. Experiment with different approaches until you find what clicks for you.

The Power of Deadlines: When Should It Be Done?

A task without a deadline is just a wish.

I could say, “Write a book,” but without a deadline or a plan, it’ll never happen. But if I commit to “Write a book outline by Friday” and “Write the first chapter by next Friday,” I create a specific timeframe to accomplish each step. This strategy keeps me moving forward with the project.

If you aim to update your horse photography portfolio, set a deadline for selecting images, another for editing, and a final one for uploading the finished work to your website.

For example, you could set a goal to teach your horse a new trick by the end of the month. Start by teaching it to respond to basic commands, then gradually introduce more complex steps until it masters the trick. Smaller deadlines keep your momentum going.

Will you always meet your deadline? No. You can always shift a deadline if necessary. But will you continually be moving that project forward towards the end goal? Yes!

Ditch What Doesn’t Matter: Track the Irrelevant

Sometimes, you need to review the tasks on your to-do list.

If something has lingered for a long time, ask yourself if it’s still important. Should you outsource it to someone else? If a task no longer serves your goals or if you can delegate it, let it go or hand it off.

Break It Down: Big Tasks, Small Steps

I excel at breaking big goals into smaller, actionable steps. It’s like a superpower! Breaking down your steps ensures steady progress toward your goal.

When you have a photography session, you follow a specific workflow. For example, you might start by scheduling the session, then move on to scouting the location, helping the client select outfits, preparing equipment, shooting the session, editing the images, meeting with the client for an ordering appointment, etc. 

Just like a workflow you use with a session, you also want to have your workflow through a system for moving business and marketing tasks through your to-do list. For example, you may choose to realize that you need to write a blog post. There are many steps to this include

• Research a topic
• Create an outline
• Write the post
• Create a header image
• Select the images to go with it
• Upload the post to your website
• Schedule the blog post

Clearly, this is a simplified version but by breaking down the steps, but by doing this, you can make sure you don’t miss any steps and you can always do something related to that project that moves it forward.

I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention task batching or blocking. Task blocking is just grouping like tasks together. In my own work, I batch social media content three months at a time and blog posts six months at a time.

When it comes to writing blog posts, I block out a week twice a year and dedicate it solely to outlining, creating graphics, uploading, making header images, and writing content. Once I finish, I don’t think about blog posts for another six months. Breaking tasks down and batching them maximizes my efficiency.

Evening Triage: Prep for Tomorrow

I always review my to-do list and glance at my calendar during the last five minutes of my workday to make a quick plan for the following day.

This simple habit helps me stay on top of things and ensures that nothing slips through the cracks.

Setting Goals with To-Do Lists for Horse Photographers: Your Roadmap to Success

To-do lists aren’t just for daily tasks; they’re also powerful tools for achieving your bigger goals.

By breaking down your objectives into smaller tasks, you create a clear path to success. And there you have it—your to-do list, transformed into a productivity powerhouse. With these to-do list tips for horse photographers, you’ll not only get more done, but you’ll also do it with less stress.

And remember, if you ever need a bit more help getting organized or want to take your photography business to the next level, I’m here to help. Let’s chat about how I can support your journey to success!

Frequently Asked Questions About To-Do Lists

1. How do I start making a to-do list that actually works for me?

First things first—ditch the one-size-fits-all approach. Your brain is unique, and so is your style. Whether you’re a digital app devotee or a legal pad lover, the key is to create a system that feels right for you.

Start by jotting down everything you need to tackle, then categorize those tasks—business, personal, horse photography sessions, the whole shebang. And don’t overwhelm yourself; keep it realistic and manageable. Consistency is the name of the game, so find what sticks and roll with it.

2. How do I prioritize tasks on my to-do list?

Prioritizing is all about knowing what fuels your fire. Some folks get a dopamine kick by checking off easy tasks first thing (like “drink coffee”—it counts, trust me!). Others dive headfirst into the deep end, tackling major projects when their energy is at its peak.

My go-to? I pick one big brain-burner, a medium task, and a couple of quick wins every day. Big tasks get done before lunch, while the easier stuff waits until my brain is done by 3:30 PM. Find your groove and let it guide your day.

3. What should I do if my to-do list becomes overwhelming?

When your to-do list starts looking like a novel, it’s time to hit the breaks. Break it down into bite-sized, actionable steps. Focus on one category at a time—client work, personal errands, or prepping for that upcoming portrait session.

Batching similar tasks together can also help you knock them out faster. And don’t be afraid to do a little spring cleaning on that list. If something’s been hanging around too long, maybe it’s time to delegate, outsource, or—gasp—let it go.

4. How do I stay motivated to complete tasks on my to-do list?

Ah, motivation—the elusive unicorn. But here’s the thing: every time you cross something off, it feels pretty darn satisfying. Start your day with a small, easy win to get the momentum going, or dive into a task that fires you up. And if you’re struggling to keep things moving, set some deadlines to keep yourself accountable. You’ve got this—just keep checking things off, one task at a time.

Betsy Bird, Cr. Photog., CPP,  of Ride the Sky Equine Photography spends her days doing insane things to make animals look at her. Clearly, she’s desperate for attention. Outside of acting like a total goofball, she invests in growing her business, mentoring photographers, dealing with her teenagers' angst, and hanging with Nitro, the best dog ever. She also tries to spend some time educating and entertaining aspiring photographers by teaching and blogging about whatever catches her fancy at the moment.

Betsy has earned her Photographic Craftsman degree from the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) which honors photographers who contribute to the photographic industry through speaking, mentoring, and publishing. Betsy is also a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) with PPA. The CPP designation is held by fewer than 2,500 photographers nationwide and is a hallmark of consistency, technical skill, artistry, and professionalism.

Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors for the Professional Photographers of East Tennessee (PPETN) and the Tennessee Professional Photographers Association (TNPPA). She is also a professional member of the Equine Photographers Network (EPN).

Betsy's award-winning work has been featured in a variety of publications and is found throughout homes and stables in the United States. She is also the co-author of the book, Equine & Equestrian Photography Poses that Sell: The Ultimate Guide to Posing Horses & Humans. She has also been featured on Scenic Trend, the Profitable Photographer Podcast, The Business Animal Podcast, Chatter Magazine, Cowgirls with Cameras Podcast, the Chattanooga Times Free Press, the Chattanoogan, and the Focal Points Podcast to name a few.