Introducing Octoa: the CRM tool designed specifically for photographers
Fueled by photographers’ feedback and our mission to bring order to the chaos of running a photography business, Octoa has become a tool made by and for the people behind the lens.
Hello! My name is Yuri, and together with Remi, I co-founded Octoa—a CRM tool designed specifically for photographers. Before I dive into the story of how Octoa came to be, let me introduce you to the faces behind this project.
Remi and me: a history of creativity
Remi and I have known each other for over twenty years. Our paths first crossed at the Multi-Media Academy, where we designed and built websites together—sometimes as competitors, but often as collaborators. This healthy rivalry pushed us to always aim for the best results.
Our shared passion and ambition led us to establish Freshu, a creative agency based in Amsterdam. At Freshu, we worked on inspiring projects for promising startups such as Boldking.com, Primephonic.com, and Nxchange.com. It was here that we honed our skills and learned how to create digital products that users genuinely loved.
Bringing order to chaos
Over time, our careers took different paths. Remi embarked on a successful journey with Marufilms.com, traveling the world with his wife, capturing beautiful moments, and balancing it all with fatherhood to two children. Meanwhile, I took the opportunity to learn new skills and grow as a creative professional.
Amidst Remi’s busy life as a filmmaker, a clear problem emerged: he needed a tool to bring order to his professional chaos. Although he explored various CRM tools and eventually used 17hats, it proved cumbersome and lacked key features.
The birth of Octoa
Our shared problem-solving mindset sparked the idea for Octoa. We envisioned a CRM tool that wasn’t overloaded with features but was simple, practical, and tailored specifically to the needs of photographers and videographers. With this idea in mind, we began sketching what such a CRM should look like—and got to work.
Feedback: our creative engine
Our first MVP was launched during the turbulent COVID-19 period. We adhered to a principle we had followed since our agency days: launch early and often. Above all, we placed the user—the photographer and videographer—at the center of everything we did.
Since Octoa’s launch, we’ve received a wealth of feedback, both positive and critical. This feedback is our fuel, enabling us to continuously improve Octoa. We’re proud of our quick response times and our commitment to supporting users in the best way possible.
The future
Have we built an incredible CRM tool? We think so. Is there room for improvement? Absolutely. Our dedication remains steadfast: to keep photographers at the heart of what we do and challenge ourselves to make Octoa even better. We can’t wait to show you what’s next.
Curious about how Octoa can streamline your photography business? Sign up for a free trial today!