It seems like it took no time at all for my iPhone to become my best friend in the photography business. With about a gazillion productivity, lifestyle and travel applications, it seems like its usefulness is just about never-ending.

Considering today what a boon the iPhone is to a professional photographer, I thought I would take the time to share the applications that help keep Petruzzo Photography running smooth.

Appearing in no particular order, iPhone apps for photography business.

Handi 5D
Everyone is bound to forget some little function of their camera at some time. The Handi series of apps are simple reference guides for different camera models. It’s more convenient than a paperback guide since it can stay in your pocket all the time.

CheapGas
Takes your current location and finds the cheapest gas around. When we’re close to home, we usually know where to go to find the best price. But when we’re out in the field, CheapGas can help save the pocket change for more important things.

WifiTrak
When you’re out in the field and need to hop online for on reason or another, WifiTrak can help. WifiTrak extends the range of the wifi scanner in the iPhone to find open networks on the fly. Of course, it’s always preferable to drop into a Panera, but in a pinch, WifiTrak has the answer.

ProCamera
No one is shooting weddings with an iPhone. At least, I hope not. But when I’m out in the field, I love to keep Facebook fans and friends updated with pictures and text about what’s going on. The ProCamera app adds some much needed features to the iPhone, such as anti-shake and built-in level, so that it can be used even in low-light.

Things
Things is a task management app that runs in conjunction with the Mac desktop application by the same name. Things syncs over Wifi and keeps track of everything that needs to be done. With the iPhone app, all your daily tasks stay in your pocket and can be updated as needed. Things comes complete with tagging features, searching, project management and more.

PhotoCalc
Helps calculate various things such as flash compensation, depth of field, and when exactly the sun will be setting or rising. Clean and simple—you may not use it often, but when you do you’ll be glad you had it!

Helios
Helios uses your location, or a location you choose, and calculates where the sun will be in the sky at a given time. This is excellent for deciphering where precisely shadows will fall during a shoot that’s still a month out. It removes much of the guesswork out of sunlight.

Credit Card Terminal
Does exactly what the name suggests. With the help of Authorize.net, the iPhone becomes a credit card terminal running with the best of them. Using the iPhone’s touch screen, customers can sign their name directly on the terminal. And, receipts can be automatically emailed.