The Real MVPs Behind the Scenes at LydiaCreative
AKA the tools I’d invite to my dream creative retreat.
Running a creative business means wearing a lot of hats — designer, photographer, writer, brand strategist, tech support (for myself), and probably barista too. Some days I feel like a full production team in one person. Over the years, I’ve tested more apps, platforms, and tools than I can count. Some were flings. Others made me want to throw my laptop across the room. But a few? A few have truly earned MVP status.
These are the ones that help me create my best work, keep my processes (mostly) smooth, and give me a little extra breathing room in the chaos of client work, content creation, and running a business solo.
Design & Branding
Canva Pro
Say what you want, but Canva has seriously stepped up. I use it for client presentations, brand guides, social media templates, and those “just need something fast” moments. The branding kit and content planner features alone save me hours every month. If I need to make something polished and quick, this is where I go.
Adobe Illustrator & InDesign
When it’s time to get serious with logos, custom brand marks, or multi-page print pieces, these are my go-tos. Illustrator is my best friend for precision and clean vector work; InDesign is a lifesaver for building out anything with more than one page. Yes, they require a bit more brainpower — but they’ve paid off big time in my client work.
Coolors.co
For the indecisive designer in me. I lock in one color, hit the spacebar, and let Coolors spit out surprisingly good combos. It’s also a great way to break out of your usual palette rut when things start to feel a little too beige.
Photography
Lightroom (Desktop & Mobile)
Every image I post or deliver gets a Lightroom pass. I’ve fine-tuned a handful of presets over time — nothing too heavy or trendy, just enough to bring consistency and life to my photos. Whether I’m editing on the go or doing a deep batch edit at my desk, Lightroom’s my go-to.
Pixieset
Clean, simple, client-friendly. I use Pixieset to deliver galleries, and I always get compliments on how easy (and beautiful) the experience is. It does what it’s supposed to — no weird quirks, just smooth delivery.
My camera gear
I shoot with a Canon EOS 30D, paired with a couple of lenses that have been through it with me. I’m not into chasing the latest gear — I just want something sharp, dependable, and light enough to carry around without regretting my life choices.
Writing & Content
Grammarly
Think of it as your copywriting safety net. I don’t let it rewrite my tone, but I do appreciate it catching the occasional rogue comma or spelling slip. Especially helpful when I’m moving fast or drafting late at night.
Notion
Where all my half-baked thoughts and long-winded ideas live before they turn into blog posts, brand strategies, or newsletter blurbs. I use it for everything — daily tasks, content calendars, voice notes, and that one running list of “stuff I want to make someday.”
Google Docs
Still undefeated for client-friendly copy drafts and feedback. It’s collaborative, clean, and doesn’t crash when I add 37 comments to myself.
Workflow & Business
HoneyBook
This is where the behind-the-scenes magic happens — inquiries, contracts, invoices, timelines, questionnaires. It keeps my client process professional without feeling robotic, and helps me keep track of where everyone is in the project flow.
Clockify
Honestly? I use this to reality-check myself. I think something will take 45 minutes… and two hours later I’m still tweaking kerning. Clockify helps me get a clearer sense of where my time’s actually going, which helps with pricing, scheduling, and, you know, not overpromising.
Google Calendar + Phone Alarms
Nothing revolutionary here. Just the basics that keep me from missing calls, deadlines, or accidentally working until midnight. Sometimes the simplest systems are the ones that stick.
Honorable Mentions
- Spotify playlists curated to my exact mood
- Iced coffee in a mason jar (yes, it matters)
- Sharpies in every color
- A clean desktop background (mood-reset button)
- Sticky notes, digital and analog
If you’re a fellow creative, I’d love to know — what are your MVPs? What tools do you swear by, and what are you trying lately? Hit the contact page and share your faves. I’m always game for adding a new tool to my rotation (after I color-code it in Notion, of course).