Integrations Overview
Quick Reference
Integrations connect ShootPath to the services that power your photography business - payments, email, and scheduling. Think of them as bridges between ShootPath and the tools you already use, creating one seamless workflow.
Available Integrations:
- Stripe - Accept credit card payments and manage invoicing
- Gmail/SMTP - Send emails from your own email address
- Google Calendar - Sync shoots to your calendar automatically
Why Integrations Matter:
- Unified workflow - Everything in one place, no switching between apps
- Automation - Actions in one system trigger updates in another
- Client experience - Professional, seamless experience across all touchpoints
- Time savings - No manual data entry or duplicate work
Quick Setup: All integrations are managed in Settings > Integrations. Each integration takes 5-10 minutes to connect and requires you to authorize ShootPath to access the service securely.
What Gets Connected:
- Stripe connects to your bank account for deposits
- Email connects to your Gmail or SMTP server for sending
- Google Calendar syncs job dates and blocked time
Articles in This Section:
- Stripe Integration - Accept payments securely
- Email/SMTP Integration - Send from your own email
- Google Calendar Integration - Two-way calendar sync
Detailed Guide
What Are Integrations?
Integrations are connections between ShootPath and external services. They allow ShootPath to perform actions on your behalf - like charging a client's credit card, sending an email from your Gmail account, or adding a wedding to your Google Calendar.
How they work:
- You authorize the connection - Give ShootPath permission to access the service (e.g., "ShootPath can send emails using my Gmail account")
- ShootPath uses secure APIs - Industry-standard connections that are encrypted and safe
- Actions happen automatically - When you trigger something in ShootPath (like sending a quote), the integration handles the rest
Example workflow without integrations:
- Client accepts quote in ShootPath
- You copy client name and email to Gmail
- You manually compose payment request
- You add event to Google Calendar manually
- You switch back to ShootPath to mark it booked
- Repeat for every client... exhausting!
Example workflow with integrations:
- Client accepts quote in ShootPath
- Automatic: Email sent from your Gmail account
- Automatic: Invoice created and sent via Stripe
- Automatic: Wedding date added to Google Calendar
- Automatic: ShootPath marks job as booked
- You just focused on creative work!
Core Integration Philosophy
ShootPath integrates with industry-leading services instead of building everything from scratch. Here's why:
Best-in-class tools:
- Stripe is THE standard for online payments
- Gmail is trusted by billions of users
- Google Calendar is universal
Security and compliance:
- Payment processors handle PCI compliance (card security)
- Email providers maintain deliverability reputation
- Calendar providers handle scheduling conflicts
Reliability:
- These services have 99.99%+ uptime
- They have massive teams dedicated to security and performance
- They're not going anywhere
You control your data:
- Your Stripe account belongs to YOU
- Your Gmail account is YOURS
- Your calendar is YOUR property
- If you ever leave ShootPath, you keep all of these
Required vs. Optional Integrations
Required: Stripe
Why it's required: ShootPath's invoicing system is built around Stripe. You cannot accept credit card payments without it.
What you need:
- A Stripe account (free to create)
- A bank account for deposits
- Business verification info (SSN/EIN, address)
Cost:
- No monthly fees
- 2.9% + $0.30 per successful transaction
- Example: Client pays $1,000, you receive $970.70
Setup time:
- 5-10 minutes to connect
- Instant verification (most cases) or 1-3 days (manual review)
Recommended: Gmail or SMTP
Why you should connect it: Without email integration, ShootPath can't send emails to clients. You'd have to copy/paste everything manually.
What you get:
- Automated quote emails, booking confirmations, gallery notifications
- All emails come FROM your email address (not "noreply@shootpath.com")
- Professional appearance to clients
Two options:
Option 1: Gmail (easiest)
- Free for most photographers
- Quick OAuth connection (3 clicks)
- 500 emails per day limit (sufficient for most)
Option 2: Custom SMTP (for advanced users)
- Use your own domain (yourname@yourstudio.com)
- Higher sending limits
- Requires SMTP server credentials
Cost:
- Gmail: Free (included with Google Workspace for business email)
- SMTP: Depends on your email provider (usually included with hosting)
Setup time:
- Gmail: 2-3 minutes
- SMTP: 5-10 minutes (need to find server credentials)
Optional: Google Calendar
Why you might want it: If you use Google Calendar for your schedule, two-way sync means ShootPath and your calendar always match.
What syncs:
- Job session dates (weddings, portraits, events)
- Mini session events
- Blocked time (personal appointments, vacations)
Direction:
- ShootPath → Calendar: New bookings appear in calendar automatically
- Calendar → ShootPath: Block time in calendar, ShootPath won't double-book
Why it's optional: If you don't use Google Calendar, you don't need this! ShootPath has its own built-in calendar that works great standalone.
Cost:
- Free with any Google account
Setup time:
- 3-5 minutes
Integration Security
Every integration follows strict security standards to protect your business and client data.
How Authorization Works
OAuth 2.0 (industry standard):
When you connect an integration, you're taken to the service's official website (Stripe, Gmail, Google Calendar) where you log in and explicitly grant permission.
What you see:
ShootPath is requesting access to:
- Send emails on your behalf
- View your email settings
[Deny] [Allow]
What happens when you click Allow:
- The service generates a secure token
- ShootPath stores this token (not your password!)
- ShootPath uses the token to act on your behalf
- You can revoke access anytime in the service's settings
Why this is secure:
- ShootPath never sees your password
- Tokens can be revoked without changing your password
- Tokens have limited permissions (only what you authorize)
Data Encryption
In transit: All data sent between ShootPath and integrated services uses TLS/SSL encryption (the same security as online banking).
At rest: Integration tokens are encrypted in ShootPath's database. Even if someone accessed the database, they couldn't read the tokens.
Audit logging: ShootPath logs all integration actions for troubleshooting and security monitoring.
Revoking Access
You can disconnect any integration at any time:
- Go to Settings > Integrations
- Find the connected service
- Click "Disconnect"
- Confirm
What happens:
- ShootPath stops accessing that service immediately
- The integration token is deleted
- Previous actions (past payments, sent emails) remain unchanged
- You can reconnect later if needed
Example scenarios:
- You switch to a different payment processor → Disconnect Stripe
- You change email providers → Disconnect old, connect new
- You stop using Google Calendar → Disconnect it
- Security concern or account breach → Disconnect immediately for safety
Setting Up Your Integrations
Here's the recommended order for connecting integrations when you first set up ShootPath:
Step 1: Connect Stripe (Required)
Before your first booking: You need Stripe connected to accept payments. Even if you don't have a client yet, set this up first so you're ready when opportunities come.
What you'll need:
- Business name and address
- Bank account number and routing number
- Social Security Number (if sole proprietor) or EIN (if LLC/Corp)
- Photo ID for verification
Time investment:
- 10 minutes to connect
- Instant verification (usually) or 1-3 business days
Step 2: Connect Email (Highly Recommended)
Immediately after Stripe: Without email, you can't send quotes or booking confirmations. This is the second most critical integration.
Choose your path:
- Gmail - If you use Gmail for business, this is easiest
- SMTP - If you use a custom domain email (yourname@yourstudio.com)
What you'll need:
- Gmail: Just your Google account login
- SMTP: Server address, port, username, password (from your email provider)
Time investment:
- Gmail: 3 minutes
- SMTP: 10 minutes (includes finding credentials)
Step 3: Connect Google Calendar (Optional)
After you've used ShootPath for a week: Once you're comfortable with the basics (leads, quotes, bookings), add calendar sync for convenience.
What you'll need:
- Google account login
- Decide which calendar to sync to (if you have multiple)
Time investment:
- 5 minutes to connect
- 2 minutes to configure sync preferences
Detailed calendar setup guide →
Managing Your Integrations
All integrations are managed from one central location: Settings > Integrations
Integration Settings Screen
What you'll see:
Each integration shows:
- Connection status (Connected ✓ or Not Connected)
- When it was last connected
- Quick actions (Connect, Disconnect, View Settings)
- Link to detailed documentation
Connected integrations show:
- Account info (e.g., "Connected as yourname@gmail.com")
- Last successful action (e.g., "Last payment: 2 hours ago")
- Error status if something is broken (e.g., "Email sending failed")
Testing Your Integrations
After connecting, always test:
Stripe:
- Create a test invoice
- Pay it with a test card (Stripe provides these)
- Confirm payment appears in Stripe dashboard
Email:
- Create a test lead
- Send a quote email
- Check your sent folder - did it arrive?
Google Calendar:
- Create a test job with a session date
- Check Google Calendar - does the event appear?
- Edit the date in ShootPath - does calendar update?
Monitoring Integration Health
ShootPath automatically monitors all integrations and notifies you of issues:
Types of alerts:
- "Stripe connection expired - please reconnect"
- "Email sending failed - check your SMTP settings"
- "Calendar sync hasn't updated in 24 hours"
Where you see alerts:
- Dashboard notifications
- Email to your account email
- Banner at top of integration settings page
Common causes:
- Token expired (just reconnect)
- Service is down (wait and retry)
- Settings changed (e.g., you changed your email password)
Integration Workflows
Here's how integrations work together in common scenarios:
Scenario 1: Sending a Quote
What you do: Click "Send Quote" on a lead in ShootPath
What happens behind the scenes:
- Email integration composes email from your template
- Email integration sends email from your Gmail/SMTP account
- ShootPath generates secure portal link for client
- Email integration includes link in email body
- ShootPath logs sent email in lead activity
Client experience: Email arrives from YOUR email address (not ShootPath), looks professional, includes link to view quote online
Scenario 2: Client Books and Pays
What you do: Nothing! Client clicks through from their email.
What happens behind the scenes:
- ShootPath client accepts quote online
- Email integration sends you notification
- ShootPath creates contract
- Email integration sends contract signing request to client
- ShootPath client signs contract
- Stripe integration generates payment link
- Email integration sends payment request to client
- Stripe integration processes payment
- Stripe integration deposits funds to your bank (2-3 days)
- Google Calendar integration adds session date to your calendar
- Email integration sends you payment confirmation
Your experience: You get one notification: "Sarah booked and paid!" Everything else happened automatically.
Scenario 3: Delivering Gallery
What you do: Upload photos, mark gallery ready
What happens behind the scenes:
- ShootPath finalizes gallery
- Email integration sends gallery notification to client
- ShootPath generates secure gallery link
- Email integration includes download instructions
- Google Calendar integration marks job complete (removes from production)
Client experience: Email arrives: "Your photos are ready!" with link to beautiful gallery and clear download instructions
Best Practices for Integrations
1. Set Up All Integrations During Onboarding
Don't wait! Get everything connected before your first client. Last thing you want is to land a booking and realize you can't send invoices.
2. Test Everything Before Going Live
Run through a complete workflow with test data:
- Create test lead
- Send test quote
- Accept test quote
- Process test payment with Stripe test card
- Check test event in calendar
3. Monitor Integration Health Weekly
Quick check (2 minutes):
- Settings > Integrations
- Verify all show "Connected ✓"
- Check for any error messages
- If issues exist, address immediately
4. Keep Service Accounts Secure
Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication on all connected services (Stripe, Gmail, Google Calendar).
5. Document Your Integration Setup
Keep a simple note with which accounts are connected (email addresses), date connected, and purpose. Helps with troubleshooting later!
What's Next?
Ready to connect your integrations? Start with these detailed guides:
Stripe Integration - Accept credit card payments securely. Start here first!
Email/SMTP Integration - Send professional emails from your own address. Set up second!
Google Calendar Integration - Keep your schedule synced automatically. Optional but convenient!
Or explore related topics:
Invoices - Learn how to create invoices that Stripe processes
Email Templates - Customize the emails sent through your email integration
Calendar - Understand ShootPath's built-in calendar (works with or without Google Calendar sync)
Questions? Look for the help links throughout ShootPath, or reach out to support if you need assistance!