---
title: Planning phase checklist
description: We've put together a handy checklist of tasks to set up your upcoming photo job and set you up for success!
---
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1. [Help Center](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support?hsLang=en)
2. [How-To's](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/how-tos?hsLang=en)
3. [Planning Phase](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/how-tos?hsLang=en#planning-phase)
September 1, 2026
# Planning phase checklist
### Welcome to GotPhoto!
We're thrilled to have you on board with GotPhoto, and we're here to ensure your photo jobs run seamlessly.
To help you get started, we've put together a handy checklist of tasks to set up your upcoming photo jobs. The tasks on this page are all related to the **planning phase** of your job (i.e., before Picture Day).
### Before you begin
Make sure you’ve:
- Created a price list and packages (you’ll be able to reuse these for future jobs)
- Set up an automated email campaign
The links below will lead you through the various steps for setting up your photo job.
**\[Prepay only\]** Steps beginning with “Prepay” apply only to Prepay jobs.
---
### Job settings
1. **\[Start here\]** [Create a photo job](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/create-a-photo-job?hsLang=en)
2. [Set up customer registration](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/set-up-customer-registration?hsLang=en)
3. [Choose your access and tagging method](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/choose-your-access-type-and-tagging-method?hsLang=en)
4. [Upload student data into your photo job](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/nameslist-import?hsLang=en)
5. **\[Optional\]** [Enable favorite photo selection](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/let-customers-choose-their-yearbook-or-favorite-photo?hsLang=en)
6. **\[Prepay only\]** [Customize your prepay settings](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/customize-your-jobs-prepay-settings?hsLang=en)
7. [Add a price list to a photo job](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/add-a-price-list-to-a-photo-job?hsLang=en)
8. **\[Optional\]** [Create a job coupon](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/offer-a-job-coupon?hsLang=en)
9. [Choose your shipping method](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/choose-your-shipping-method?hsLang=en)
10. If using batch shipping → [Set up batch shipping](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/set-up-batch-shipping?hsLang=en)
11. [Set an archiving date](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/set-an-archiving-date?hsLang=en)
12. [Add an automated campaign to a photo job](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/add-an-automated-communication-campaign-to-a-photo-job?hsLang=en)
13. [Adjust your advanced job settings](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/advanced-job-settings?hsLang=en)
14. **\[Prepay only\]** Change job status to "Prepay" → [Learn how to change job status](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/change-the-job-status?hsLang=en)
15. **\[Prepay only\]** Notify customers to start collecting prepay orders. If using an automated campaign, this happens automatically. If not, coordinate with the organization.
**Note:** If you're using a tagging method that doesn’t involve QR cards (like [Entagged](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/the-entagged-setup-and-workflow-guide?hsLang=en) or [SpotMyPhotos](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/facial-recognition-with-spotmyphotos?hsLang=en)), you can skip this section.
1. [Generate QR cards](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/generate-qr-cards?hsLang=en)
2. **\[Advanced\]** [Edit your QR card layout](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/editing-your-qr-card-layout?hsLang=en)
3. [Generate a barcode list](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/generate-a-barcode-list?hsLang=en)
4. **\[Dance photography\]** [Explore workflows for shooting subjects in multiple costumes](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/workflow-options-for-costume-changes-dance-photography?hsLang=en)
---
### Advanced options
Looking to fine-tune your setup? These advanced features can help you level up your workflow.
1. **\[Advanced\]** [Add a message to an automated campaign](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/add-a-message-to-an-automated-campaign?hsLang=en)
2. **\[Advanced\]** [Create a siblings package](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/create-package-and-pricing-options-for-siblings?hsLang=en)
3. **\[Advanced\]** [Change or disable photo effects](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/manage-photo-effects-filters?hsLang=en)
4. **\[Advanced\]** [Set up GotPhoto’s green screen feature](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/set-up-gotphotos-background-feature?hsLang=en)
### Upselling options
- [Additional poses per product package](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/upselling-add-additional-poses-per-product-package?hsLang=en)
- [Discounted prints with “Download All” purchases](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/upselling-offer-discounted-prints-with-download-all-purchases?hsLang=en)
- [Downloads with package purchase](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/set-up-upselling-download-options-in-gotphoto?hsLang=en)
- [Mandatory product packages](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/upselling-make-the-purchase-of-a-package-mandatory?hsLang=en)
- [Offer the Professional Retouching add-on in GotPhoto](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/offer-the-professional-retouching-add-on-in-gotphoto?hsLang=en)
---
### What’s next?
**Ready for the next phase?**
[Go to the Picture Day phase checklist](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/picture-day-phase-checklist?hsLang=en)
- [Getting Started](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/getting-started?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [One-Time Settings](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/getting-started?hsLang=en#one-time-settings)
- [Price Lists and Product Packages](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/getting-started?hsLang=en#price-lists-and-product-packages)
- [Your Online Shop](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/getting-started?hsLang=en#your-online-shop)
- [Communication With Customers](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/getting-started?hsLang=en#communication-with-customers)
- [Upselling Options](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/getting-started?hsLang=en#upselling-options)
- [Navigation](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/getting-started?hsLang=en#navigation)
- [How-To's](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/how-tos?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Review Phase](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/how-tos?hsLang=en#review-phase)
- [Sales Phase](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/how-tos?hsLang=en#sales-phase)
- [Workflow Guides for Specific Scenarios](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/how-tos?hsLang=en#workflow-guides-for-specific-scenarios)
- [Planning Phase](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/how-tos?hsLang=en#planning-phase)
- [Picture Day Phase](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/how-tos?hsLang=en#picture-day-phase)
- [Manage your Account](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/how-tos?hsLang=en#manage-your-account)
- [GotPhoto's Editing Services](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/gotphotos-editing-services?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [GotPhoto's Editing Services](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/gotphotos-editing-services?hsLang=en#gotphotos-editing-services)
- [Sports Graphics Creation Service by Next Gen](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/sports-graphics-creation-service-by-next-gen?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Next Gen](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/sports-graphics-creation-service-by-next-gen?hsLang=en#next-gen)
- [Entagged & GotPhoto Tagging App](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/entagged-gotphoto-tagging-app?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Master Entagged with Comprehensive Tutorials.](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/entagged-gotphoto-tagging-app?hsLang=en#master-entagged-with-comprehensive-tutorials)
- [Entagged Troubleshooting](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/entagged-gotphoto-tagging-app?hsLang=en#entagged-troubleshooting)
- [GotPhoto Tagging App](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/entagged-gotphoto-tagging-app?hsLang=en#gotphoto-tagging-app)
- [Business & Growth](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/business-growth?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Stripe & Accounting Resources](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/business-growth?hsLang=en#stripe-accounting-resources)
- [Best practices](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/business-growth?hsLang=en#best-practices)
- [Webinars](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/business-growth?hsLang=en#webinars)
- [Templates and Downloads](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/business-growth?hsLang=en#templates-and-downloads)
- [GotPhoto Referral Program](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/business-growth?hsLang=en#gotphoto-referral-program)
- [UK Materials](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/business-growth?hsLang=en#uk-materials)
- [Troubleshooting](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/troubleshooting?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Uploading Photos](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/troubleshooting?hsLang=en#uploading-photos)
- [Customer-Facing Issues](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/troubleshooting?hsLang=en#customer-facing-issues)
- [Access Codes](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/troubleshooting?hsLang=en#access-codes)
- [Managing Names Lists](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/troubleshooting?hsLang=en#managing-names-lists)
- [Customer Outreach](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/troubleshooting?hsLang=en#customer-outreach)
- [Customizing Your Shop](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/troubleshooting?hsLang=en#customizing-your-shop)
- [Your Account](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/troubleshooting?hsLang=en#your-account)
- [Price Lists](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/troubleshooting?hsLang=en#price-lists)
- [Student Data Export](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/troubleshooting?hsLang=en#student-data-export)
- [DIY Sports Graphic Creation & Group Composites](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/diy-sports-graphic-creation-group-composites?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Workflow Resources: QSuite, Pixnub & Team Photo Composite](https://help.gotphoto.com/en/support/diy-sports-graphic-creation-group-composites?hsLang=en#workflow-resources-qsuite-pixnub-team-photo-composite)
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- [T&C UK](https://www.gotphoto.co.uk/gtc/)
- [Privacy Policy UK](https://www.gotphoto.co.uk/data-privacy-policy/)
- [DPA UK](https://www.gotphoto.co.uk/dpa/)
- [TOMs & Sub-Processors UK](https://www.gotphoto.co.uk/toms-and-sub-processors/)
- [Cookie Declaration](https://app.gotphoto.com/cookie_declaration)
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