# Your first week with CoreHue

> A simple first-week plan for photographers new to CoreHue. Pick one starting point, deliver a gallery, take bookings, send a proposal or get paid.

Source: https://help.corehue.co/docs/getting-started/your-first-week/

The quickest way to feel at home in CoreHue is to do one real thing with it, start to finish, before you touch anything else. Pick the job that's costing you the most time this week and follow the short checklist for it below.

## Pick one starting point

During setup you chose what you'd like to do first, and your [home screen](/docs/getting-started/your-home-screen) shows a **Getting started** card for it. If you're not sure that was the right pick, two questions usually settle it.

**Is a client waiting on you right now?** If they're waiting for photos, start with a gallery. If they're waiting for a quote, start with a proposal.

**Which admin job do you put off most?** If it's answering the same "are you free on..." email, start with booking. If it's working out who hasn't paid, start with invoices.

Your choice doesn't switch anything off. Every feature is available from day one.

## Deliver photos to a client

Good if you have finished work on a drive and a client waiting for it.

1. Create a gallery from **Galleries**. See [Creating a gallery](/docs/galleries/creating-a-gallery).
2. Upload your photos, and videos too if you're on Plus or Pro. See [Uploading photos](/docs/galleries/uploading-photos).
3. Split them into chapters like Getting ready, Ceremony and Party. See [Organizing photos into chapters](/docs/galleries/organizing-with-chapters).
4. Pick a cover layout, typeface and colors on the **Layout** tab. See [Customizing your gallery's design](/docs/galleries/customizing-gallery-design).
5. Check **Settings**, especially downloads. Every new gallery starts with a 4-digit download PIN, so decide whether to keep it and send it with the link.
6. Publish and share it by email. See [Sharing a gallery by email](/docs/gallery-sharing/sharing-a-gallery-by-email).

Before you send it to your client, open the link in a private browser window. That shows you exactly what they'll see.

## Let clients inquire or book

Good if you keep having the same back-and-forth about dates and prices.

1. Create a service under **Bookings → Services** and choose how clients reach you: an inquiry, a direct booking or a mini session. See [Inquiry, direct booking or mini session?](/docs/online-booking/choosing-a-booking-mode)
2. Set your working hours in **Bookings → Settings → Availability**. See [Setting your availability](/docs/online-booking/setting-your-availability).
3. Connect [Google Calendar](/docs/online-booking/google-calendar) so your own busy times are blocked.
4. Publish the service and turn on your booking page. See [Customizing your booking page](/docs/online-booking/customizing-your-booking-page).
5. Book yourself through it once, then put the link in your website and Instagram bio.

If you want a deposit at booking, connect Stripe first. See [Accepting card payments with Stripe](/docs/payments/accepting-card-payments).

## Send a proposal to a client

Good for higher-value work where a client needs to see options before they commit.

1. Set your default currency in [your profile](/docs/account/your-profile). It can't be changed later, so take a second over it.
2. Save your usual prices as items in **Templates → Items**. See [Saving reusable items](/docs/payments/saved-items).
3. Create a proposal with your coverage, add-ons and any options to choose between. See [Creating a proposal](/docs/proposals/creating-a-proposal).
4. Add your contract and payment schedule so the client can sign and pay in the same place. See [Adding a contract and payment schedule to a proposal](/docs/proposals/bundling-a-contract-and-payments).
5. Send it to yourself first, then to your client.

Sending proposals needs Plus or Pro, which your trial includes.

## Send an invoice to a client

Good if money is the bottleneck.

1. Set your default currency in [your profile](/docs/account/your-profile).
2. Choose how clients can pay under **Payments → Settings → Payment methods**: card payments through Stripe, or manual methods like bank transfer. See [How getting paid works](/docs/payments/how-getting-paid-works).
3. Create an invoice, as a single payment or a deposit and balance. See [Creating an invoice](/docs/invoices/creating-an-invoice).
4. Send it. See [Sending an invoice](/docs/invoices/sending-an-invoice).

Stripe runs its own checks when you connect, and those can take a little while, so start that part early.

## Once the first one is done

Add the next piece on top of what you have. Delivered a gallery? Set up booking so the next client books themselves. Booking page live? Add a contract and deposit to your service so bookings arrive signed and paid. Sending invoices? Turn on [automatic reminders](/docs/account/automatic-reminders) so CoreHue does the chasing.

Finishing one piece before starting the next beats setting everything up halfway.

## Frequently asked questions

### Can I change the starting point I picked during setup?

No, the **Getting started** card stays on the track you picked until you finish it. It's only a checklist, though. You can use any other part of CoreHue whenever you like.

### Should I bring all my old clients in first?

No. Start your next client in CoreHue and let current jobs finish where they are. See [Bringing past clients and galleries over](/docs/switching/bringing-past-work-over).

### How long does setup take?

One starting point usually takes an afternoon. Booking takes the longest because there are more choices to make about hours, deposits and contracts.

### Where do I set my default currency?

In **Settings → Profile**. CoreHue also asks the first time you need it. You can't change it once it's set.