How difficult is WordPress setup?

Install is a normal WordPress plugin upload: zip, activate, open the CRM. You still need hosting you control, PHP that meets the current requirements, a connected mailbox or SMTP path for reliable email, and Stripe or PayPal if you collect card payments. If you want a guided landing, Setup and Migration is available after you buy Mankai.

Do I need the Photography Theme?

No. The CRM works with the theme you already have. The Photography Theme is the matching public site built around Mankai. It needs the CRM, and it's not a generic theme for random sites. Want both from the start? Get Mankai Complete.

How does annual licensing work?

Each product is an annual license through Freemius. You need an active CRM license to use the admin. There's no per-client or per-session cap. Flat year, unlimited studio.

What happens if my CRM license expires?

You get seven days to renew. After that, CRM admin locks until you reactivate. Your stored business data isn't deleted. Public booking and client portal pages aren't gated the same way as the admin.

What happens if my theme license expires?

Your public site keeps running with what's already there. Updates and licensed support pause until you renew. The theme doesn't use the CRM admin lock.

Does Mankai charge transaction fees?

No. Clients pay through your Stripe or PayPal at normal processor rates. Mankai adds nothing on top. Cash, check, Venmo, and other manual payments can be recorded too.

Can you migrate my existing workflow?

Yes. Setup and Migration is a one-time project. Buy Mankai first, then send a setup request. I review it and send an invoice after. Nothing auto-charges from the form. Migration covers what we can move from your current tools, not a guaranteed one-click import of every competitor.

Where is my data stored?

In your WordPress database on your hosting. You can export it. I'm not renting your client list back to you. Uninstalling doesn't wipe business data unless you turn that on yourself.

What support is provided, and what stays my responsibility?

Licensed support covers the CRM and theme products themselves. Email elijah@eplemanski.com, open every day, 8 AM to 2 PM Central (Wisconsin time). You remain responsible for WordPress hosting, backups, core and plugin updates, domain DNS, and email deliverability setup on your server.

Your studio, on WordPress

Q: Which payment processors are supported?

Stripe and PayPal through your own connected accounts. One gateway is active at a time. There is no Square integration today. Manual payments can still be recorded in the CRM.

Clients, sessions, contracts, invoices, payments, galleries, and email in one WordPress install. Your domain. Your workflow. Your data.

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Built by @eplemanski with a working studio. Screens from a real demo site.

WordPress plugin On hosting you control
Stripe & PayPal Payouts to your accounts
0% platform fee No cut from Mankai
Live studio Screens from a real demo site

Book clients on your website.

Clients pick a session type, choose a time, finish what you need, and pay on your domain.

Session types with price, retainer, and duration
Weekly availability with honest open windows
Booking notice and daily caps you set

One session. Everything on it.

Client, contract, invoice, balance, files, and gallery on one session. Finish the job from one screen.

Status, balance, and the next step in one place
Documents and payments attached to the booking
Delivery without leaving the session

Client on a beach during a photography session

Money

Money stays on the job.

The invoice and payment live on the same session. Card payouts go through your Stripe or PayPal. Mankai does not take a cut.

Retainers and balances on the booking
Your processor, your payout
No Mankai platform transaction fee

Galleries on your domain.

Proofing, favorites, downloads, and watermarking live on your site, under your brand.

Favorites and proofing selections
Watermarks and download rules you control
Print shop with your products and prices

One login for the whole job.

Clients sign, pay, open the gallery, and order prints in one portal on your domain.

Pay Now and documents in the same place
Galleries and deliverables that stay available
Print orders tied to the session

Also included

The rest of the toolkit.

More of what runs the studio week to week.

See all features

WordPress

You own the install.

Mankai is a plugin on WordPress you control. That is the opposite of renting a studio SaaS account.

With Mankai

Your domain and WordPress site
Your database and media files
Your Stripe or PayPal account
Export and leave whenever you want

Visit the live studio Read the FAQ

Mankai media library on your WordPress install

Pricing

Flat price. No meters.

No client limits, seat pricing, or cut from your payments. Choose monthly or yearly.

Swipe to see the next plan.

For existing sites

Mankai CRM

$12.50 / month

$149.99 billed yearly

For photographers who already have a site and mainly need the CRM.

Clients, sessions, booking, calendar
Quotes, contracts, invoices, payments
Galleries, proofing, client portal
Unlimited clients and weekly updates

Get CRM

Save 25% yearly

Mankai Complete

$16.67 / month

$199.99 billed yearly

CRM plus the Photography Theme for studio and public site.

Everything in Mankai CRM
Photography Theme included
One brand across CRM and site
One license for both

Get Complete

Done for you

Setup & Migration

$799.99 one time

After you buy Mankai

I install it, configure it, and migrate what we can after you buy.

Install and branding
Booking, forms, payments
Workflows and templates
Migration help from current tools

Request Setup

FAQ

Straight answers.

Does Mankai require WordPress?

Yes. Mankai CRM is a WordPress plugin, and the Photography Theme is a WordPress theme. You install them on hosting you control.

How difficult is setup?

Install is a normal plugin upload. You still need hosting, PHP that meets requirements, email/SMTP, and Stripe or PayPal if you collect cards. Setup & Migration is available after you buy.

Which payment processors are supported?

Stripe and PayPal through your own accounts. One gateway active at a time. Manual payments can be recorded. No Square today. No Mankai platform fee on top of the processor.

Is there a native mobile app?

No. Staff and client workflows are mobile-friendly in the browser, and the CRM can be installed like a web app from your site.

Where does client data live?

In your WordPress database on your hosting. You can export it. Uninstall does not wipe business data unless you turn that on.

What stays my responsibility?

Hosting, backups, WordPress updates, domain DNS, and email deliverability. Licensed support covers the CRM and theme products themselves.

Stop stitching your studio together.

Mankai keeps the client, session, money, and delivery connected inside WordPress.

Get Mankai See features