MARCH 9, 2026
HoneyBook Just Raised Prices 90%. Here's What Smart Photographers Are Doing Instead.
The biggest pricing shakeup in photography software since Pixieset's commission change.
10 minutes · Research
The Price Hike That Shook the Industry
On February 4, 2025 — just one day after announcing the changes — HoneyBook rolled out one of the most aggressive pricing increases in creative software history.
The numbers:
- Starter: $19/mo → $36/mo monthly ($29/mo annual) — 89.5% increase
- Essentials: $39/mo → $59/mo monthly ($49/mo annual) — 51% increase
- Premium: $79/mo → $129/mo monthly ($109/mo annual) — 63% increase
For photographers who were already stretching their budgets across 3–4 different software subscriptions, this was the final straw.
The photography Facebook groups lit up overnight. "I literally just renewed," one photographer wrote. "Wish I had known before I signed another year."
If you're one of the thousands of photographers reconsidering your tech stack right now, this guide breaks down exactly what changed, what your options are, and how to make the switch without losing a single client.
What Actually Changed at HoneyBook
HoneyBook gave photographers exactly one day of notice — announcing changes on February 3 and implementing them February 4, 2025.
Here's what that looks like annually:
| Plan | Before | After (Monthly) | After (Annual) | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $19/mo | $36/mo | $29/mo | 51–89% |
| Essentials | $39/mo | $59/mo | $49/mo | 26–51% |
| Premium | $79/mo | $129/mo | $109/mo | 38–63% |
But here's the part nobody talks about: **HoneyBook still doesn't include gallery delivery.** Every photographer using HoneyBook also pays for Pixieset ($22/mo), ShootProof ($25/mo), or Pic-Time ($20/mo) on top.
Your real monthly cost with HoneyBook + a gallery platform: **$49–$159/mo**.
This is exactly what 12img automates for you
Stop spending hours on tasks that should take minutes. Join thousands of photographers who already made the switch.
Why Photographers Are Leaving (It's Not Just the Money)
The price hike was the catalyst, but the frustration was already there:
1. The Duct-Tape Problem
HoneyBook handles CRM and contracts. It does NOT handle galleries, photo delivery, or anything photography-specific. Every HoneyBook photographer runs at least 2 subscriptions. Many run 4–5 (HoneyBook + gallery platform + Flodesk for email + Notion for workflows + Zapier for automation).
**You are paying $80–$150/month to duct-tape your business together.**
2. No Gallery Delivery
This is the fundamental gap. HoneyBook was built for all creatives — florists, planners, DJs, event coordinators. It has zero understanding of photo delivery workflows. No watermarking. No client gallery downloads. No print sales.
3. One Day's Notice
The pricing change was announced on February 3 and went into effect February 4, 2025. That's not transparent pricing — that's a surprise bill. When your business software plays games with your billing, trust erodes fast.
4. Lock-In by Design
Try exporting your data from HoneyBook. It's not easy. Contract templates, client histories, and workflow configurations don't transfer cleanly. This is intentional — making it painful to leave keeps you paying even when you're unhappy.
What Smart Photographers Are Doing Right Now
The photographers who move fastest during platform shakeups gain the biggest advantage. Here's the playbook:
Step 1: Audit Your Real Monthly Cost
Add up everything:
- HoneyBook: $29–$129/mo
- Gallery platform (Pixieset/ShootProof/Pic-Time): $10–$38/mo
- Email marketing (Flodesk/Mailchimp): $19–$35/mo
- Workflow automation (Zapier): $20–$50/mo
- CRM or project management (Notion/Asana): $0–$10/mo
**Most photographers are spending $78–$262/month** on their business software stack.
Step 2: Find a Platform That Replaces Multiple Tools
The entire reason the duct-tape problem exists is that no platform built for photographers included CRM AND galleries AND contracts AND invoicing in one place.
12img does. Here's what you eliminate:
| What You're Using Now | 12img Replacement | Monthly Savings |
|---|---|---|
| HoneyBook (CRM + contracts) | Built-in CRM + contracts | $29–$129 |
| Pixieset (gallery delivery) | Built-in galleries | $22–$38 |
| Flodesk (email sequences) | Built-in email campaigns | $19–$35 |
| Zapier (automation) | Built-in workflows | $20–$50 |
| Total eliminated | $90–$252/mo | |
| 12img cost | Starter to Studio | $9–$54/mo |
Step 3: Migrate Before Your Next Renewal
Don't wait for HoneyBook's next billing cycle. Here's the 1-hour migration plan:
- Export your client list from HoneyBook (Settings → Export)
- Sign up for 12img (free, no credit card required)
- Import clients into 12img's CRM
- Set up contract templates (use our photography-specific templates or recreate yours)
- Connect Stripe for invoicing (same Stripe account works)
- Upload your first gallery — something HoneyBook literally cannot do
Full migration guide: [12img.com/switch-from/honeybook](/switch-from/honeybook)
The Numbers Don't Lie
| HoneyBook + Gallery Tool | 12img Studio | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $49–$167 | $54 |
| Galleries included | No (separate tool) | Yes |
| Contracts + e-sign | Yes | Yes |
| Invoicing | Yes | Yes |
| CRM | Yes (generic) | Yes (photography-specific) |
| Video delivery | No | Yes |
| Print storefront | No | Yes (0% commission) |
| Watermark protection | No | Yes |
| Free plan available | No | Yes |
| Data export | Difficult | One-click |
| Transparent pricing | 1-day notice before 89% hike | Public, locked at signup |
This is exactly what 12img automates for you
Stop spending hours on tasks that should take minutes. Join thousands of photographers who already made the switch.
The Window Is Now
Whenever a major platform shakes up pricing, there's a 2–3 month window where photographers actively research alternatives. After that, inertia wins — people stick with what they have, even if they're unhappy.
WPPI 2025 just wrapped (March 5). Every photographer who attended is rethinking their stack right now. The Facebook groups (Rising Tide Society, Art of the Second Shot, Weddings & Wanderlust) are full of "what should I switch to?" threads.
If you've been meaning to simplify your tech stack, this is the moment. Not next month. Now.
**[Start free with 12img →](/sign-up?ref=blog-honeybook-hike)**
FAQ
**Will I lose my contracts if I leave HoneyBook?** No. Download your contract PDFs before canceling. Then recreate your templates in 12img — it takes about 15 minutes with our photography-specific templates.
**Can I keep my Stripe account?** Yes. 12img uses the same Stripe integration. Your existing payment history, connected bank account, and payout schedule stay exactly the same.
**What if I'm locked into an annual HoneyBook subscription?** Contact HoneyBook support about a prorated refund. Many photographers have gotten partial refunds when switching mid-contract, especially after the price hike. Regardless, the savings from consolidating your stack will make up the difference within 1-2 months.
**Is 12img really an all-in-one?** Yes. Gallery delivery, contracts with e-signatures, invoicing, CRM with client portals, automated email workflows, video delivery, and a print storefront — all in one login, one monthly bill.
HoneyBook Just Raised Prices 90%. Here's What Smart Photographers Are Doing Instead.
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