The verdict in three sentences
A photographer juggling WhatsApp, Excel and WeTransfer wastes huge time scheduling, getting signatures and delivering. Dedicated software centralizes shoot scheduling, contracts, online deposits and above all a private client selection gallery. On a wedding at 200,000-800,000 FCFA or a corporate shoot at 50,000-300,000 FCFA, faster delivery and secured deposits transform cash flow.
Client galleries: the real time saver
The private gallery replaces manual sends: the client selects photos, approves retouching and downloads from a protected link. No more endless back-and-forth.
| Item | Without software | With software | Gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gallery delivery time | 8-10 days | 24-48 h | -80% |
| Payment follow-ups / client | 4-5 | 0-1 | near zero |
| Sorting/selection time | 2-3 h | 30 min | -75% |
| Deposits collected on time | 60% | 95% | +35 pts |
| Shoots handled / month | 12-15 | 20-25 | +60% |
| Lost photos/disputes | frequent | traced | eliminated |
Baskets, deposits and tool cost
The online deposit (Wave/Orange Money) locks the date and cuts last-minute cancellations. The balance unlocks on gallery delivery.
| Service | 2026 basket | Typical deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Full wedding | 200,000-800,000 FCFA | 30-50% |
| Corporate shoot | 50,000-300,000 FCFA | 40% |
| Portrait / book | 25,000-80,000 FCFA | 50% |
| Event (per hour) | 30,000-60,000 FCFA | 30% |
| Software — solo plan | 10,000-18,000 FCFA/month | |
| Software — studio + HD galleries | 22,000-30,000 FCFA/month |
Mini case study
Ibrahima, a Dakar photographer, did 14 jobs/month but lost ~3 days/month to follow-ups and uploads. With private galleries and online deposits, he reaches 22 jobs at an average basket of 120,000 FCFA, i.e. 2,640,000 FCFA versus 1,680,000 FCFA before — +960,000 FCFA/month of capacity. The tool costs 28,000 FCFA/month. Even crediting only half the increase to the tool, the return exceeds 15x its cost.
FAQ
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
How does the client pick their photos?
They get a link to their private gallery, mark favorites and approve the final selection online. The studio sees choices in real time, cutting sorting from 2-3 h to 30 min.
Is a deposit required to book?
You configure it. Common practice: 30-50% at booking via Wave/Orange Money, raising on-time deposit collection from 60% to 95%.
Are galleries protected?
Yes. Each gallery has a private link, optional password and expiry. The client downloads in HD; you track who downloaded what, eliminating "I never received it" disputes.
Can I handle weddings and corporate in the same tool?
Yes, with separate contract and pricing templates. A 500,000 FCFA wedding and a 150,000 FCFA corporate job follow the same flow: quote, deposit, shoot, gallery, balance.
What if I work alone?
The solo plan at 10,000-18,000 FCFA/month is enough: scheduling, deposits and galleries. You move to studio plans when you add assistants or several simultaneous HD galleries.
Let's talk about your project. We deliver a studio software with scheduling, contracts, Wave/OM deposits and private galleries, ready to use. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
