Maximize Your 2025 Black Friday Savings & What You Actually Need to Start a Photography Business
Black Friday is one of the best times of the year for photographers — but only if you shop intentionally. With every inbox exploding with “HUGE DEAL!” emails, it’s hard to know what’s truly worth your money, especially if you're new to photography or building your business on a budget.
In this week’s episode of The Edit Weekly, Amanda and Whitney break down:
How to save the most money this Black Friday
What you actually need to start your photography business (and what you don’t)
The best places to shop for gear, software, and education
Why buying used can stretch your dollars further
Black Friday deals from all the amazing educators we've had on the podcast
The essential starter kit for every new photographer
🎥 Watch on YouTube
🎧 Listen on Spotify
We’ll keep updating this blog post with more deals as they drop, so bookmark this page and check back often!
Amanda’s 4 Tips for Saving the Most Money on Black Friday
These tips have saved Amanda thousands over her 20+ years in business — and they’ll save you too.
1. Know your budget (and stick to it)
A “good deal” is not good if it puts you in debt. Start with the number you can realistically spend, then decide what actually matters for your business.
2. Know what you actually need
Be ruthless about separating wants from needs.
When you’re starting out, most photographers only need:
a camera, a lens, a computer, memory cards, and a way to share galleries.
Everything else can wait.
3. Use Rakuten for cash back
This is Amanda’s Black Friday secret weapon — she used it to save on her Canon R6 and other gear.
Earn a $50 Bonus
Sign up with our link and get $50 when you make a qualifying purchase:
👉 www.rakuten.com/r/THEEDI44
*affiliate link
4. Use a rewards credit card, IF you have the cash to pay it off
Rewards = free money.
Interest = burning money.
Use a rewards card only if the cash is already sitting in your account.
The Pros of Buying Used for New Photographers on a Budget
Whitney built her business on smart, intentional purchases — especially buying used. Her recommendations:
Brands like OM System (formerly Olympus), Canon, Nikon, Sony all have fantastic used or refurbished programs. Trusted retailers:
Brand-certified refurbished options
Whitney upgraded her entire setup (pro body + lenses) for under $3,000, including cash back.
Avoid Facebook Marketplace unless you are very confident
Still too risky for most beginners. Go with a company that tests and rates gear.
Don’t obsess over megapixels
If the camera was made in the last 5–10 years, you can make money with it.
The Essential Starter Kit (What You Actually Need)
Amanda’s stripped-down, no-fluff starter kit:
Memory cards & batteries (SanDisk deals are always huge)
A solid camera bag (Think Tank is a favorite)
A website + online galleries
This is all you need to start. Everything else can come later.
✨ Black Friday Deals
(We will keep updating this section — come back often!)
1. MUST-HAVE MONEY SAVER
Rakuten $30 Sign-Up Bonus (Cash Back on Gear!)
Link: www.rakuten.com/r/THEEDI44
Get $30 when you make a qualifying purchase.
*affiliate link
2. Deal-Finding Tools
Gedd.it Verified Promo Codes
Find and verify promo codes before you checkout.
3. Educators Featured on The Edit Weekly
Every educator below has been a guest on our podcast.
⭐ Rachel Brenke — The Law Tog
https://thelawtog.com/
Deals: 45% off legal templates.
Rachel is a photography law expert.
🎧 Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcpOb_7PZKg
⭐ Aubrey Westlund — Stock Photography Academy
https://stan.store/aubreywestlund/p/stock-photography-academy-selfstudy
Deal: Aubrey’s signature course Stock Photography Academy goes on sale at 60% off! If you join you will also receive two bonuses: access to The Agency Sessions & Stock Photo Besties.
If you want passive income as a photographer, this is the place.
🎧 Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LACKgbCYV-8&t=187s
⭐ Ambreia Turner — Ambreia Artistry
https://8933517582403.gumroad.com/l/gmcdmw
Deals: Bundle of all classes & resources.
Luxury maternity queen, truly.
🎧 Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3ZVuyavPoo&t=1248s
⭐ Tiffany Crenshaw — Animal House Photography
Momentum Map (Business Audit):
https://animalhousephotography.thrivecart.com/momentum-map/
Booked + Balanced (Group Coaching) — $1000 off:
https://thetiffanycrenshaw.com/business-group-coaching
Tiffany is your business momentum hype woman.
🎧 Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG2x-a9L0Rk&t=1s
⭐ Heather Jones Creative — Showit Website Designer
https://heather-jones.com/
Deals:
50% off all templates
$150 off template customization
$500 off VIP Days
(Started Nov. 17)Heather designed Amanda’s Showit site!
4. Gear & Tech Deals
B&H Photo: sales & promos on everything photography & video. Just a couple of examples:
Canon R5: $500 off
Canon RF 24-70 2.8: $300 off
Nikon Z8: $800 off
Adorama: awesome deals on cameras, lenses, memory cards.
Canon: save on cameras, lenses, video equipment, & more.
Nikon: screaming deals on mirrorless cameras - some are $1000 off!
SanDisk: major memory card & SSD sales.
Imagen AI: 50% off workflow essentials.
Adobe: Save 50% or more on Creative Cloud Pro for individuals, students, and teams. Ends Nov 28.
Think Tank: up to 70% off backpacks & totes.
Kenmore Camera: sales on just about everything, including 15% off used gear!
Glazer’s Camera: lots of sales & promos on cameras, lenses & photo gear.
Ray-Ban Meta Glasses: 20% off first gen Meta glasses at LensCrafters.
5. Backdrops, Props & Studio Supplies
Intuition Backgrounds: 55% off sitewide with code BLKFRIDAY55
Rice Studio Supply: discounts on photo print boxes & bags.
6. CRMs, Websites & Business Tools
Dubsado https://dubsado.com/?c=theeditweekly (affiliate link)
Sprout Studio: New users get Sprout Pro for just $119 your first year! Sale ends 12/1.
HoneyBook: 40% off
MOO: 30% off using code CYBERPLAY. Ends 12/4.
CloudSpot: Get 6 months free when you purchase any annual plan.
ShootProof https://www.shootproof.com/shootproof-home/
Pixieset https://pixieset.com/
Tonic Site Shop: up to 30% off website & Canva templates.
Squarespace: take 20% off any new website plan with code NOV20WE. Ends 11/30.
Showit: 30% off templates. Ends 12/3.
Final Thoughts
Black Friday doesn’t have to feel overwhelming or chaotic. With the right strategy, you can build your starter kit, save hundreds, and actually invest in the tools that will help your business grow.
And remember,
👉 We’ll be updating this post as new Black Friday deals drop. Come back anytime to check for updates!
