Looking to offer your clients something fresh, practical, and perfect for gifting? Printed Calendars check every box. They deliver year-round exposure for your photography, work well in small spaces, and stand out in a digital landscape that’s easy to scroll past. We’re excited to introduce our newest Desktop Calendar to our lineup of products!

Spiral-Bound Desktop Calendars

10×4 Custom Desktop Calendars are designed with small spaces in mind and are practical for daily use. Your client will love displaying them at their desk, on the mantel, or on a counter space.

Why Photographers Love Custom Spiral-Bound Desktop Calendars

• • 12 months of images
  • Spiral-bound design for easy flipping
  • Printed on 130 lb. card stock
  • Image area on each page measures approximately 4⅝” × 3⅜”
  • Choice of two font styles: Script or Modern
  • Sold in sets of 3 identical calendars, with attractive quantity discounts the more you order

8.5×11 Saddle-Stitched Calendars

Alongside our new desktop option, we continue to offer our popular 12-month 8.5×11 Saddle-Stitched Calendars. It’s the classic format that many photographers love to offer year after year.

• • 12 months: choose from calendar year or school calendar year
  • Two paper type options:
    • Gloss: Card Stock Cover and Text Weight Pages
    • Pearl: Card Stock Cover and Text Weight Pages
  • Perfect for hanging on the wall, bulletin board, or leaving displayed on a desk
  • Minimum order of 10, with quantity discount savings

Printed Calendars in the Digital Age

Unlike digital calendars that can get hidden behind apps and notifications, a printed calendar keeps your client’s favorite images on display. It’s a simple yet great way to keep your photography in their space year-round, so you are top of mind when they are looking for a photographer in the future.

Photographers who specialize in wildlife, landscape, and fine art photography especially love these printed calendars. The rich color gives images stunning depth and clarity, while the small size makes them appealing at markets, events, and in-studio displays. They’re also a perfect holiday gift for clients, families, or corporate partners who want something both personal and useful.

Whether you’re creating calendars for your own studio or offering them for client orders, McKenna’s Desktop Calendars and Saddle-Stitched Calendars are a great option for the planners in your area. Order today through Easy Order or McKenna Web.

Saddle-Stitched Calendar Images by Christopher Balmer.

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It’s the Perfect Time to Order Your Custom Holiday Cards!

Promo Code: HCARD
Expires: November 30, 2025

What is Included in the November Press Card Special:

• • Flat Press Cards
  • Folded Press Cards
  • Choice of Gloss, Linen, Pearl, Matte Soft Touch, or Watercolor Art Paper

Increase your profit margin this year on your client’s holiday cards by taking advantage of our 25% off Press Card sale in November. That’s 25% off on top of our existing quantity discounts! Give your clients beautiful, custom-designed holiday cards they can only get from you. Whether you’re choosing one of our 20+ brand-new drag-and-drop templates, selecting from 90+ past holiday card designs, or creating your own unique custom design, we’re ready to provide you with the best print quality for your clients’ treasured images.

Show Off Your Photography with Custom Holiday Cards

Now’s the time to help your clients spread cheer with a personal touch. Custom holiday cards are a great way to showcase your work while offering clients a design that reflects their personality and your professional quality. Our newest designs are full of festive charm and creative layouts that let your images shine. From modern minimalism to traditional holiday elegance, you’ll find styles that match every client’s taste.

Download our 2025 Holiday Card PDF to preview this year’s brand-new designs and market them to your clients. Looking for inspiration from previous years? You can still access past designs on our Downloads page.

Choose From Several Paper Types

McKenna’s professional printing and premium paper quality make your cards visually appealing and a tactile experience, too. Choose one of our five Italian-milled premium paper options to complement your custom holiday card design.

• Gloss: A universal glossy paper for a polished, vibrant finish.
• Linen: High-end coated paper with a traditional linen texture for a timeless feel.
• Pearl: A mother-of-pearl-like paper with a soft shimmer.
• Matte Soft Touch: The smooth, velvety matte finish gives a soft, sophisticated look.
• Watercolor Art: An uncoated, textured paper for an organic, fine-art appearance.

Not Just for Holiday Cards!

While our November sale is the perfect time to stock up on custom holiday cards, remember that all Press Cards are 25% off. That means you can also save on:

• Wedding Invitations
• Save-the-Dates
• Birth Announcements
• Thank-you Cards
• Graduation Announcements
• Marketing Materials

It’s a great time to order versatile samples to show your clients year-round options for personalized printed cards.

Need Tips on Selling or Designing Holiday Cards?

We’ve shared tons of helpful advice in our recent blog, from creative ways to sell more holiday cards to smart ideas to include in your design. Check out our past posts to get inspired and make this your best holiday season yet!

Other Sale Details:

• Promo code HCARD must be entered when the order is placed to receive the discount.
• Orders without the code will not be discounted.
• The sale includes Flat and Folded Press Cards with your choice of Gloss, Linen, Pearl, Matte Soft Touch, or Watercolor Art Paper.
• Sale excludes Signature Edge Cards, Business Cards, Art Cards, and other non-greeting cards.
• Items shipped ground. Shipping upgrades and drop ships are only available at actual shipping costs.
• Only available in McKenna Easy Order and McKenna Web – not available in McKenna Sports and Events.
• Offer expires November 30th, 2025, and may not be combined with any other discount except our normal press card quantity discounts.

The post November Special 2025: 25% Off Press Cards appeared first on McKenna.

First, let’s start with what photo editing is and why photographers do it. Photo editing refers to the process of altering or enhancing images to improve the appearance or convey a specific message. This process can include a range of adjustments, from basic corrections such as color and contrast adjustments to more complex retouching tasks like improving skin textures, removing unwanted elements, swapping heads, or applying artistic effects. At McKenna, our photo editing is facilitated by highly trained staff using a variety of software tools, with Adobe Photoshop being among the most popular.

Whether you’re working with portraits, landscapes, animals, macro photography, or black and white images, McKenna optimizes your photos to achieve the best possible results for printing. Our retouchers utilize advanced techniques to achieve results that may be difficult for others to replicate.

Why is Photo Editing Necessary?

This might seem like a silly question to some of us; nevertheless, we must mention it. Firstly, professional retouching helps correct imperfections that may have occurred during the photo-taking process, such as unwanted moiré patterns, poor lighting, focus issues, fingerprints on the lens, or dust spots on the sensor. Secondly, it allows photographers to convey a specific mood or aesthetic that wasn’t captured in camera. These enhancements are the final touches we would’ve added in the darkroom.

Before the invention of color film, black and white photography was the only option available. Today, choosing black and white photography allows for a specific mood, conveying timelessness, simplifying compositions, or expressing artistic vision. At McKenna, we are committed to delivering exceptional quality printing from your professional images. We’ve even created our very own Black and White Image Tone for Metal Prints, which helps neutralize the magenta, cyan, and yellow used in our multi-color printing process for Metals. The end results give you a truer, more classic black and white look under natural daylight. Not only are our skilled retouchers trained in the latest software, but at McKenna, we understand the vital role photo editing plays in professional photography.

Save Time with McKenna’s Professional Retouching Services

Having us edit your photos can significantly enhance the quality of your final prints. By trusting us with your photo editing, you are more likely to achieve results that capture attention and convey the intended message. Additionally, we can maintain consistency across a series of images and products, which is especially important for your branding and marketing.

McKenna is a recognized leader in the professional photography community with a team of skilled photo retouchers who are very familiar with our products and can tailor edits to suit a specific medium. For instance, sharpness can be adjusted for Fine Art Prints since they have less texture compared to Canvas Gallery Wraps. Also, contrast and saturation can be adjusted on Metal Prints since they possess a high-contrast and highly saturated look, while Luster Prints do not.

In last month’s blog, I discussed our Color Correction Services, which involve making overall and minor adjustments to the photo. In contrast, our professional retouching services focus on localized and major adjustments. For example, an underexposed photo can be improved with overall color correction, while head/eye swaps would qualify for retouching. Whatever your needs may be, we have you covered.

How to Order Photo Retouching

Upon placing your order, you can add retouching services with or without products. Our “Retouch and Standard Color Correct Only” feature in Easy Order allows you to send us your images without ordering a product. Just tell us what you want, and we’ll send you an estimate.

Example: “Remove the lines from the girls’ legs. It’s for a large poster.” – Tina’s Photography

Type of Photo Editing Services We Offer

Standard Retouching

Examples of standard retouching include simple blemish removal, softening of lines, removal of slight glass glare, and basic stray hair removal. This is charged based on the number of heads/faces.

Extensive Retouching

This includes more extreme instances of blemish removal and glass glare, as well as more complex stray hair removal, braces removal, and head/eye swaps.

Artwork Manipulation

If your project requires advanced alterations, we can provide additional file manipulation on a per-minute basis, with estimates available upon request. Artwork examples include things like:

• Adding or removing people, pets, objects, etc.
• Replacing backgrounds
• Removing moire patterns and noise
• Banding
• Artifacting
• Overexposure
• Sharpening or over-sharpening
• Photo Restoration

Quality Service in a Timely Manner

Typically, the photo editing process takes about two business days to complete, after which we will send you the files via digital transfer. On larger prints, we request your approval before they go into production.

Professionally edited photos from McKenna can significantly improve your photography. If you haven’t yet tried our Retouching Services, I encourage you to give us a chance. I believe you will be pleasantly surprised by the results.

What Are Photographers Saying About Our Retouching Services?

Jan Griswol of Jan Murphy Griswold Photography in Burlington, NJ

“McKenna’s customer service is second to none! In the retouching department, Eric assisted me with edits on a large landscape image, providing expert skills in color adjustment and object placement to create a perfectly balanced final product. He really goes the extra mile, down to the last detail.”

Jennifer Ryan

“I really enjoyed working with you guys! My orders came securely packaged and quickly. I highly recommend McKenna. I had my photos retouched, and customer service helped me submit my photos to the talented retouching team. They were very delightful to work with; they helped me navigate the website and were very helpful and kind to the “not so tech-savvy” person like me. Overall, I’m completely satisfied and will definitely use them in the future. Thank you!”

Amy Storm of Eye Of A Storm Photography in Mount Vernon, SD

“McKenna stepped up and saved the day for me on my image for final retouches. My client wanted a very large print, and after being on the phone with McKenna, they helped me in every way of file resizing, fine detail touch-ups, and getting this large image to me so my client could display it in their home. It is stunning, and I could not have done it without McKenna’s outstanding service. This is why I have continued to use them…they make me look good!”

Fritz Brueggman of Shutterbug in Wray, CO

“We have found McKenna’s retouching to be a valuable tool. When we have complicated glass glare or retouching that is more complicated than we want to spend the time doing, using McKenna is worth the few extra dollars in the time it saves us. Recently, we had a more complicated job, which involved removing an individual from the middle of a group photographed in an outdoor scene. They did a wonderful job of removing that individual and moving another person in to fill the spot. We highly recommend McKenna for all your retouching and artwork needs!”

Brian Clark of Old Farmer Photography in Kirkwood, IL

“McKenna always goes above and beyond. Eric’s phenomenal retouching has saved many of my photos, and their expert guidance on papers, printing, and editing software ensures every image looks its best. Without a doubt, McKenna has been the best printing company I’ve worked with.”

Images by Tina’s Photography (volleyball image) and Denison Photography (large family photo).

This blog was written by Eric Garcia-March, our in-house Photography Education Specialist. Prior to McKenna, Eric was a commercial photographer for over 15 years and taught classes at the Image Processing and Multimedia Technology Center in Spain and post-production classes at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.

The post Expert Photo Editing Services appeared first on McKenna.

Whether you want quick and easy drag-and-drop options or prefer uploading your creative custom designs, we offer both options! McKenna’s Holiday Card collection has everything you need to make your clients’ cards unforgettable. Choose from designs that say “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Holidays,” “Happy Hanukkah,” and more.

McKenna Tip: Don’t forget to download our 2025 Holiday Card Brochure PDF to see all of the new designs. It’s a great resource for marketing your cards and showing clients all the design options available this year.

Simple Holiday Card Ordering for Photographers

Our drag-and-drop templates make it easy to create and order cards through McKenna Web or Easy Order:

1.  Upload your client’s images.
2.  Choose your favorite template.
3.  Drag photos into the image nodes.
4.  Update the text with names or greetings.
5.  Add to your cart and submit your order.

McKenna Tip: The more text you add to a text node on the drag-and-drop templates, the smaller the text will automatically size.

Let Your Creativity Flow on Holiday Card Designs

If you’d like to tweak our designs to fit your brand or your client’s style, we have the downloadable PSD templates available. You can easily change colors, fonts, and text sizes or add extra photo nodes to make it your own.

And if you’re designing from scratch, our Base Template PSDs include:

• • Correct bleed setup (⅛” on each side)
  • Safe line guides to keep text and elements properly within the printing space
  • Trim references

McKenna Tip: Always keep key details of your images and text inside the safe area for the best results.

What to Include in a Custom Holiday Card Design

If you’re designing your clients’ custom holiday card, include these important elements:

• • Family name
  • Year
  • Personalized greeting or short message
  • Favorite image(s) from their session
  • Studio logo or website (a subtle way to market your business and encourage referrals)

McKenna Tip: Do you want to pluralize the last name for the holiday card? Avoid the apostrophe, as this indicates possession. Add an “s” to most names (e.g., The Masons or The Hudsons). For names ending in -s, -z, -sh, -ch, or -x, add “-es” (e.g., The Searfosses).

Happy Designing (and Happy Holidays!)

Once your design is complete, save your JPGs, choose your preferred McKenna paper and finish, and submit your order. Most orders ship within 1–2 business days, so you can keep the holiday momentum rolling.

BONUS TIPS: 3 Ways for Photographers to Market Holiday Cards to Clients

Here are some tried-and-true ways other photographers upsell more holiday cards this season:

1. Bundle Holiday Sessions to Include a Set of Holiday Cards

   Create a “Holiday Collection” that includes a portrait session and 25 printed cards. You can even offer a print and digital combo. Give your clients a shareable web version of their card for social media with your logo, and encourage happy clients to tag your studio.

2. Highlight the Benefit of Personalization Options

   Every family wants their card to feel one-of-a-kind. Showcase some of your past designs and point out how they can customize fonts, colors, and greetings. Remind them that these cards are far more personal than store-bought ones and often kept long after the holiday is over.

3. Start Marketing Early

   The earlier you promote your holiday sessions and offerings, the better. Run an early-bird campaign or send out your own holiday card sample to clients. Share sneak peeks of this year’s designs on social media, and remind clients from spring or summer sessions that their images are perfect too for holiday cards.

The post Holiday Card Designs for Photographers appeared first on McKenna.

As far as sales strategies for photographers go, pre-selling is a win for both photographers and clients. Pre-selling helps steer clients to products they’ll love in advance of their session. Plus, this gives photographers a predictable sales average as well. In addition, pre-selling invites additional product purchases after the client selects their images for their original products. 

Instead of waiting until clients see their photos, you can create attractive packages that they purchase upfront. This gives you financial security, sets the expectation that prints and albums are part of the process, and makes it easier for clients to buy more later. By offering popular products and pre-sale pricing incentives, clients will know what they are investing in and where they can add on once they see the finished images. 

Why Pre-Selling Print Collections Works

Many photographers want to add products like Metal Prints, Folios, and Canvas Prints to their pricing catalog but struggle to find the opportunity to make the offer. For those who do in-person sales or image reveals, the ordering appointment is the place to shop. However, if your business model doesn’t include in-person sales, this sales strategy for photographers can work virtually or through an online shopping experience.

Pre-selling can be the way to introduce customers to product options. Learning how to pre-sell collections can also elevate the photography experience for clients. Not only are they looking forward to seeing their gallery, but they are also looking forward to selecting images and seeing them in print! Pre-selling to clients will take a little preparation, but the payoff is worth it. Here are some ways pre-selling can be beneficial to photographers.

Guaranteed Income

You secure a minimum sale before picking up your camera. For example, if a family pre-purchases a $500 collection that includes wall art and a set of gift prints, you know your baseline income before even starting the session. This creates peace of mind and removes the stress of wondering what clients will order.

Anchors Expectations

Clients enter the session already planning to receive tangible products, not just digital files. When someone pre-purchases a holiday card collection or a newborn album, they anticipate those products as part of the process. This shifts the mindset from “maybe I’ll buy something” to “I’ve already invested, so I know what’s coming.”

Encourages Upgrades

Once the money is spent, clients often forget the “sting” of the payment, making them more likely to add extras later. A couple who has already purchased a wedding album may decide to add a few extra spreads, a parent album, or a framed print once they see their favorite images.

Opportunity For Add-Ons

Pre-sold packages can fill real needs such as holiday cards, wall art, or heirloom albums, while also encouraging families to complete their collection with add-ons. A family who starts with a wall gallery set may come back asking for an extra framed print to match or a small keepsake album for grandparents.

Pre-Selling Sales Strategy for Photographers

Whether you focus on photographing newborns, seniors, pets, or events, there is an opportunity to offer print collections alongside your session. We talked about this in our blog, Creating Marketing Campaigns Around Printed Products. However, pre-selling doesn’t have to be focused on one special event.

However, pre-selling doesn’t have to be focused on one special event. With this sales strategy for photographers, pre-sold products can be the differentiator in your brand. 

For Example:

“At Babies & Butterflies Studios, all our newborn sessions include a 5×7 soft cover book.”

“Couples who hire Birch & Branch Weddings get a choice between a 16×20 Framed Canvas or Metal Print for each collection.”

“At Powered to The Pet Photography, each session includes a Wood Display Block of your favorite furry friend.”

“All Christmas Tree Sessions and North Pole Portraits include a Metal Photo Ornament and a $200 Print Credit.”

Pre-Selling With Events

Wedding, Mitzvahs, Anniversary Parties, Engagement Parties and even Corporate Events can all have printed products included with their photography services. Pre-selling print with an event is a sales strategy for photographers who may not have much interaction with clients after their services are completed.

With events, there are so many opportunities to capture images that are meaningful to your client and their families. Including printed products with photography services answers the “What do you do with all these images?” question. Additionally, one of the reasons to add the printed products to the collection before the event is to create value and encourage add-on sales afterwards.

Here’s an example of what you might include in an event collection.

A Professional Wedding Album – Include a set number of images.

• • • Opportunities to add more images and upgrade the album cover
    • For corporate events, there is an opportunity to add more albums as a gift to VIP attendees.

Parent Albums – Smaller companion albums couples can gift to parents.

• • • Include a set of two with the option to add on for grandparents.

Wall Art – A photographic print in a small to medium size.

• • • Opportunity to upgrade from print to Canvas or Metal, add framing, select a larger size, or duplicates.

Save-the-Date or Thank-You Cards – Designed from their engagement or wedding images in a set amount.

• • • Opportunity to add on more cards.

Gift Print Credit – Add a small collection of traditional gift prints; 2-8×10 and 4-5x7s

• • • Opportunity to order additional small prints as thank you gifts for special guests.

How to Pre-Sell Print Collections with Portrait Sessions

Portrait photographers can leverage seasonal needs, gift-giving occasions, and home décor trends to create collections that give sessions added value and open the door to additional product sales. Of course, special holiday promotions can include a small print or gift item like an ornament, but a more robust collection feels like the beginning of an experience, not just a giveaway to get clients in the door. Not that there’s anything wrong with that concept—that’s just a different blog topic. 

Here are some ideas for collections that can be pre-sold for different session types. Think of these pre-sold collections as a starting point for the final sale. You may want to highlight a discount off your a la carte pricing to entice customers to commit up front. Help to build on the benefit of a pre-sold print collection by listing which different products can be used.

When creating these collections, be sure to figure in the cost of goods, services, and your profit margins when setting the prices.

Fall Family Sessions:

The Gallery & Gift Collection 

1-16×20 Photographic Print – For the Home

2-8×10 and 2-5×7 prints – For Gifting

This collection has a little of everything and room to add on more gift prints, additional canvases, and holiday cards.

High School Seniors:

The Senior Special

25-5×7 Grad Announcements – For Sharing

1-8×10 Easel Back Metal Prints – For the Office

1-5×7 Easel Back Metal Prints – For Gifting 

There is an opportunity to multiply those announcements and gift prints.

Newborns

The Sweet Pea Collection

1-11×14 Canvas Art Block – For the Family Gallery

25-4×6 Birth Announcements – For Sharing

2-5×7 Prints – For Grandparents

This collection created a repeat customer as they added Canvas Art Blocks from each of the baby’s milestone sessions to their family gallery.

Extended Family Sessions

The Generations Collection

1-16×20 Gallery Wrap – For the Grandparents

$300 Print Credit – For Additional Family Prints

The collection allows for an upgrade to the size of the canvas wrap, framing, and more copies for families to display in their homes.

How to Pre-Sell Print Collections and Boost Sales

Getting the client to invest in a session before seeing their images might seem tricky. However, focusing on the benefits of having a collection to fulfill with great images may shift client’s thinking about the importance of their session. This session is going to go on their walls, this session in going to be sent as a gift to grandparents. Knowing these images won’t just be spending time in the cloud, may make them more thoughtful as they prepare for a session, and as a result, this can lead to getting images.

Think of the opportunity to pre-sell a collection as an opportunity to help clients. Pre-sold collections should meet a customer’s need, or a need they didn’t realize that they had. Pre-selling 3-20×30 metallic prints might not seem helpful to a growing family, but one small wall portrait might be the start to something bigger or a repeat customer. If clients have plans in the future to print photographs for family, why not include Metal Prints with Easel Backs so your customers have finished products to deliver to their loved ones?

Here are some tips for pre-selling print collections.

Bundle Common Needs

As mentioned, make your offer make sense. Include items that fit the session and the potential need. New babies need birth announcements, families need wall art, and seniors need albums for all their favorite images.

Offer Incentives

Give special pricing only for pre-purchased collections. For example: “Save 15% when you pre-purchase your print collection.”

Position It as Smart Planning

Frame pre-purchasing as helping clients check something off their to-do list early. “Buy your holiday cards now and you’ll thank yourself in December!” 

Something to Be Desired

Pre-sell enough to secure your minimum sale, but leave plenty of room for upselling once clients see their images. Be sure your pre-sold collection leaves the door open for more. If this feels too “sales-y”, rethink that! You are helping! If 25 holiday cards aren’t enough, you can offer more. If an 11×14 print is too small, you can help find a size that is right. 

Make It Tangible

Show samples of albums, cards, or framed prints during the booking process to help clients visualize their purchase. If you don’t do in-person sales, have beautiful product images, printed and digital brochures, and a great online purchasing set up to get customers interested in more.

Learning how to pre-sell print collections is not about being pushy; it is about guiding clients toward meaningful products they will treasure while ensuring your business thrives. Pre-selling is a fairly easy sales strategy for photographers to implement. By bundling smartly, offering incentives, and positioning pre-purchases as both practical and special, you create a win-win: guaranteed sales for you and lasting heirlooms for your clients.

This blog was written by Maureen Miller, CPP, contributor for McKenna and contributor to marketing and client experience at Zookbinders. With 25+ years as a professional photographer, Maureen owns and operates her successful studio, Maureen T Miller Photography. She is an advocate for making money and doing what you love. Her motto is, “Photography is a BIG DEAL!”

Images by Maureen T Miller Photography.

The post How to Pre-Sell Print Collections and Boost Sales appeared first on McKenna.

When I’m not behind the camera, I’m a proud wife to a first responder, dog mom to Cooper, Gordie, and our newest addition Marvel, and a very proud auntie. Life is full and busy—just the way I like it!

A Personalized Experience from the Start

Every client who walks through my studio doors begins their journey with a personal consultation. Whether it’s in-person at the studio, over the phone, or via Google Meet, I find it incredibly valuable to connect face-to-face (or screen-to-screen!). This meeting allows me to get to know their personality, hear their vision, and also gives them a chance to meet me. I want to make sure we’re a great fit—because that’s when the magic really happens.

With my seniors, these consultations go even deeper. I walk them through the entire experience—from the session fee and what that covers (session planning, extra props like smoke bombs or confetti, etc.) to building the overall vibe of their session. We carefully plan locations, outfits, and moods to make sure every image is a reflection of who they truly are.

I always emphasize that my editing style is timeless and natural—I want my clients to look and feel like themselves, just on their best day.

Creating Collections with Intention

When it comes to pricing and ordering, I’ve adapted a version of a ‘Create a Package’ formula I learned from one of the many speakers at ShutterFest. I’ve found this approach works well in our area—even though IPS (in-person sales) is still a bit of a stretch for some families, who often come in asking, “So how many digitals do we get?”

That’s where education starts. I take time during both the consultation and the ordering appointment to explain why it’s not just about digital files. It’s about creating heirloom artwork—pieces they’ll hold onto long after those digitals are lost on an old hard drive.

I offer a curated line of products that I truly believe in. My absolute favorites are the Art Blocks and Metal Prints from McKenna—they’re modern, clean, and timeless. The Metal Prints, in particular, are one of my favorites! I also love how they hang flat to the wall with minimal hardware.

And let’s not forget about albums—which I’ve been proudly ordering from Zookbinders since 2020! I met the Zookbinders team at Wedding MBA back in 2019 and was instantly impressed by their customer service and high-quality craftsmanship. The fact that they’re photographers themselves? Huge bonus.

The Ordering Session Experience

After the session, I lightly color correct and clean up the images—no over-editing here. Most of today’s teens prefer a more natural look, and I only retouch blemishes when necessary. Once that’s done, I send a gallery link with instructions asking the client to select 30–40 favorites and schedule their IPS session.

Whether they meet me at the studio or virtually, I aim to make the experience special. In-studio, I greet them with refreshments—coffee, tea, sparkling water—and a beautiful slideshow of their images playing on the screen. I display a variety of samples—albums, wall art, metals, and more—so they can see and feel the quality firsthand.

The ordering process starts with choosing a main product: either a large wall art piece (canvas, art block, metal, or framed print) or an album, which typically includes more images and offers that “complete story” feel. From there, we build the rest of their collection: gift prints, digital files, and any upgrades they may want. My print collections are designed to be flexible, offering a mix of 8x10s, 5x7s, and the occasional wallet (because let’s be real—today’s seniors aren’t handing out wallets like we used to!).

Each package includes a set number of digital files—7, 10, or 15, depending on the collection. I also allow for a little mix-and-match flexibility if needed to help meet their needs without compromising the value of the products.

Why It Works

This model has worked well for me in a market where clients often start out wanting “just digitals.” When they see the quality of what I offer, they start to understand the value of tangible memories, and the conversation changes. They leave with more than photos—they leave with heirlooms.

Final Thoughts

Senior portraits are more than a milestone—they’re a celebration of who these young adults are becoming. My job is to honor that with authenticity, artistry, and a personal touch that makes them feel seen.

To my fellow photographers looking to make the switch to IPS or wondering how to stand out in your market: focus on connection. Invest in products you’re proud of. And always, always show your clients the value of print.

Thanks for letting me share my process—and thank you to McKenna and Zookbinders for being part of my client experience. I couldn’t do it without you!

From McKenna and Zookbinders:

A big THANK YOU to Emily for sharing her IPS process for senior portraits and trusting McKenna and Zookbinders as her print vendors.

Connect with Emily via her website, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

The post Capturing Seniors with Intention: My Personalized Approach to Senior Portraits appeared first on McKenna.

Small photo prints like 5x7s and 8x10s may seem like simple products, but when used strategically, they can open the door to larger, more profitable wall portrait sales. Can small prints lead to big sales? Of course they can! For clients who don’t print anything, small photo prints are an introduction to à la carte purchases, collections, and wall art. Additionally, small prints can work as marketing incentives, client gifts, and VIP rewards. Let’s look at the power of small prints!

What are Small Photo Prints?

When talking about small prints, we are referring to photographic prints that are 8×10 or smaller. Some photographers call them gift prints or desk prints, making their name a suggestion about what they are best suited for. 

As simple as they sound, small photo prints have several options available. McKenna offers three types of photo paper and several different protective and tactile finishes. Here are the highlights.

Luster  

Printed on Fujicolor Crystal Archive Digital Paper, Luster Prints are the most versatile. Lustre Prints can be finished with a protective spray that makes prints scratch and fingerprint-resistant. The coatings come in four finishes: Luster, Matte, Gloss, and Satin.

Texture Spray or machine-applied texture can also be added to Lustre Prints, making them resistant to scanning and giving them a fine art look. Texture is available in Canvas, Linen, and Pebble. 

Metallic 

Metallic Photo Paper gives images an impactful pop. These prints have the appearance of a super glossy photo print with a bold metallic quality. These high-contrast, high-saturation prints look extraordinary with images that have the same attributes. 

Silk

Silk Paper has a fine texture to it, giving a luxurious silk-like look and feel. They are also fingerprint-resistant, so no need for any additional coating or spray. The paper’s unique surface also makes the printed images hard to scan or copy. 

The Hidden Power of Small Prints

An 8×10 feels substantial when you hold it in your hands, but on a wall, it often looks small. This is why many photographers refer to small photo prints as gift prints or desk prints. With this language, clients see them as thoughtful extras, perfect for relatives or small spaces, while the real showcase belongs on the wall. Showing a desk-sized print next to a 16×20, or a 20×30, immediately helps clients visualize the impact of something larger.

So, can small prints lead to big sales? Absolutely, when you position the value of prints to your clients, the potential is there!

Pricing That Encourages Upgrades

Pricing sets the stage for how clients make decisions. If small photo prints are inexpensive, they become the default purchase. When they are priced to reflect their true value, larger wall art feels like the better deal. Please note that the following pricing examples are generalized to illustrate a sales concept. Always review your costs before assigning pricing to your products. 

Here is an example: Let’s say you charge $150 for an 8×10 and the digital copy, while offering a mounted unframed 16×20 for $350, or a  20×30 for $450. This makes wall portraits feel like the smart investment, considering the impact that a larger portrait has. Once the wall portrait is part of the conversation, upgrades like choosing a Canvas or Metal Prints, and adding frames are possible.

Another approach is to include small prints as bonuses with wall portraits. A 16×20 might include one gift print, a 20×30 includes a set of 4. Small photo prints now feel like added value, which make the investment in the wall more appealing.

Collections can also work well. Selecting a size for wall art and an assortment of small prints for clients guides them into a purchase. Show them the value of the collection by listing the à la carte pricing. 

Example:

À La Carte:

Mounted 16×20 & Digital File: $350

8×10 & Digital File: $150

5×7 & Digital File: $90

2 – 4×6 (Set of 2 Same Pose) & Digital File: $90

50 Photo Cards/Announcement: $150

A nice quantity of small photo prints can be added to a collection, creating an incentive to get prints of multiple poses for the home or for gifting. Having a great description for the collection with features, benefits, and uses can help with decision-making.

The Classic Collection $890

The Classic Collections is a family favorite. It includes a small wall portrait for the family gallery and an assortment of small prints. Get all your favorite images in print for home, the office, and for gifting to family! 

1 – 16×20 Print Mounted on Art Board

2 – 8x10s, 4-5x7s, 2-4x6s

Digital Copies of All Printed Images Included

SAVE $200+ off the à la carte pricing.

As far as the cost of goods, small photo prints are a great product with the potential for nice profit margins, so don’t think they can’t stand alone. Here’s an example of a small print collection for a high school senior. 

The Senior Highlight Collection $990

The Highlight Collection has a little of everything: large and small gift prints, digital copies, and announcements. You’ll be sure to get all the favorite poses in print for display and gifting.  

4 – 8x10s, 6 – 5x7s, 2 Sets of 2 – 4x6s

Digital Copies of all Printed Images

BONUS – 50 Graduation Announcements

SAVE 40%+ off the à la carte pricing.

 The Entry Offer Strategy

Pricing is only one part of the equation. How you bring clients into the sales process matters just as much. This is where the entry offer strategy shines.

Imagine promoting a “Session plus one 8×10 gift print for $295.” It feels approachable, and clients know they will receive something tangible no matter what. The real opportunity comes during the image or gallery reveal.

If you do in-person sales, start by showing the included 8×10, then present the same image as a 16×20 or 20×30 on a wall. The difference is striking, and most clients immediately see the value in upgrading. If you don’t meet clients in person, you can make a mock-up example of some favorite images on their walls by asking for cell phone pictures of their living space or use stock images of rooms to create interest in something for the walls. 

The key is to let the 8×10 act as a credit. If the 8×10 is valued at $150 and they choose a 20×30 priced at $450, that $150 applies directly. Instead of feeling like an extra expense, the upgrade feels like a natural progression. When customers are interested in trading up, mention the price with the credit applied. The 20×30 is only $300!

Once the wall portrait is chosen, you can return to the small prints by suggesting they make wonderful holiday gifts or keepsakes for family. By this point, clients are already invested and are often more than happy to add extras.

So, can small prints lead to big sales? The entry offer strategy shows us that they certainly can.

VIP Event Campaign Example

Here is an example of a marketing campaign using small prints as an incentive, framed as an exclusive VIP event.

Objective: Get clients in for a special, limited (possibly holiday or seasonal) experience while encouraging upsells to larger wall art or print packages.

Campaign Details:

1. Offer:

   • Exclusive Limited Sessions Available for VIP Event for $295
   • Includes one 8×10 gift print of their favorite image
   • Additional prints and wall portraits are available for upgrade

2. Marketing Messaging:

   • “Join our exclusive VIP Event and capture memories that will last a lifetime. Your session includes one 8×10 gift print — perfect for family gifts, office desks, or holiday cards.”
   • “Start with a gift print and upgrade to wall portraits that will be cherished for years to come.”

3. Email/Social Media Funnel:

   • Email 1: Announce the VIP event with limited spots. Emphasize the included 8×10 as a ready-to-gift print.
   • Email 2: Share sample wall mockups showing how the same image can be enlarged to 16×20 or 20×30 for living room displays. Highlight that the 8×10 counts as credit toward larger prints.
   • Social Post: Carousel showing 8×10 on a desk vs. the same image as wall art, captioned: “Your memories can be small gifts or statement pieces.”

4. Sales Strategy:

   • At the VIP event reveal, present the 8×10 first, then show mockups of larger prints and wall portraits. Use the 8×10 as a credit toward upgrades.
   • Offer a small gift-print bundle for grandparents and family to complement any larger wall portrait purchase.
   • If you don’t do in-person sales, have samples of different sizes at the session. Require clients to send one image of where they might like to display a larger print. Create a VIP mock-up for their gallery.

The included small print removes purchase hesitation and feels like an immediate reward. Once clients see the image in larger formats, they are more likely to invest in wall portraits because they already have a tangible starting point.

Creating a Positive Client Experience

Small prints can work as the perfect surprise gift, creating client delight! As mentioned, the cost of goods for small prints is quite reasonable and worth your investment to show gratitude to your customers. Surprise clients with a complimentary 8×10 of their wall print or throw in a few 5x7s of the kids as a special thank you. A small gesture goes a long way. And for less than a cup of coffee.

Can Small Prints Lead to Big Sales?

Yes, they can, and in fact, they might be one of the strongest tools in your sales process. By reframing small prints as extras, pricing them strategically, and using them as credits in an entry offer, you can transform a simple 8×10 into a stepping stone for larger, more profitable orders. The key is guiding clients to see small prints as extras while showcasing big wall art as the true way to enjoy their portraits.

This blog was written by Maureen Miller, CPP, contributor for McKenna and contributor to marketing and client experience at Zookbinders. With 25+ years as a professional photographer, Maureen owns and operates her successful studio, Maureen T Miller Photography. She is an advocate for making money and doing what you love. Her motto is, “Photography is a BIG DEAL!”

Images by Maureen T Miller Photography and Denise Watrous Photography.

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When it comes to presenting your clients’ most cherished memories, every detail matters. The presentation of the prints is just as important as the images themselves. That’s why McKenna offers professional photo Album Boxes designed to elevate your beautiful Integrity Albums. These handcrafted boxes protect, personalize, and enhance the experience of receiving a photo album, turning it into an heirloom your clients will treasure for years.

Why Choose Professional Photo Album Boxes?

• Perfectly Sized Options: Available in 8×8, 10×10, and 12×12, our Album Boxes are built to house Integrity Albums securely.
• Luxury Materials: With over 40 material options to choose from, you can customize the visual presentation. Match the cover material of the Integrity Album for a seamless look or choose a contrasting material to create a striking pairing.
• Personalization Options: With imprinting available on select cover materials, you can customize your Album Box for a truly unique finish. Choose from Front Cover, Middle Center, Bottom Center, or Bottom Right placements. If you want something a little more personal to your client, design a fully customizable photo cover for your Album Box instead.
• Fast Turnaround: At McKenna Pro, your professional photo Album Box is crafted and ready to ship in as little as 3 days or less.

Benefits for Photographers of Upselling Album Boxes

Adding professional photo Album Boxes to your product lineup isn’t just about packaging. It enhances client satisfaction and creates opportunities to increase your sales.

1. Boost Your Sales: Pairing an Integrity Album with a custom Album Box increases your average order value while giving clients a luxurious upgrade they’ll love.
2. Long-Term Protection: Album Boxes protect albums from dust, scratches, and wear, ensuring they remain in pristine condition for years to come.
3. Display-Worthy: A material or photo cover Album Box transforms the presentation into a beautiful display piece, making the album itself part of the home’s décor.

Presentation Matters and Completes the Experience

Your clients trust you to deliver timeless images. They invest in their Integrity Album because they value quality and timeless design that only you can provide. Pairing it with an Album Box, you’re protecting that investment and creating a complete storytelling package. By offering your services and the final printed product, you ensure the highest quality to elevate your work and strengthen client satisfaction for years to come.

Images by David Beckham Photography and Eleanor Kathryn Photography.

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McKenna’s will meet your highest demands and quality standards in post-production. Our color management, color correction, and photo editing services will complement your images. Whether you’re looking to enhance skin tones, adjust colors for accuracy, or engage in more extensive retouching, our team has the skills and experience to deliver exceptional results. Our professional approach to photo color correction accurately reflects the intended colors and tones.

The Art of Photo Color Correction

Effective color correction enhances the overall quality in professional photography. Sometimes colors can appear washed out, oversaturated, or simply inaccurate due to various factors such as lighting, camera settings, or the environment. Proper color correction not only improves the aesthetic appeal of images but also ensures that they convey the right mood and message that the photographer intended.

What Are the Benefits of the Color Correction Services at McKenna?

Achieving accurate skin tone in portraiture is one of the most essential aspects of McKenna’s color correction.

Properly rendered skin tones and harmonious color palettes enhance the viewer’s connection to the photograph, conveying warmth, authenticity, and a sense of personality. Capturing the subtle undertones in skin is crucial, and our color correction specialists pay close attention to these nuances. By adjusting the brightness and contrast, along with the red, green, and blue channels, we ensure that skin tones appear natural and vibrant, eliminating any unwanted color casts.

Our Process

Our highly trained color correction specialists carefully adjust each image, paying particular attention to skin tones in order to achieve the best color, density, and contrast while adhering to our professional standards. The process includes:

• • Basic Density Adjustments: Correcting the overall exposure to ensure that images are neither too dark nor too light.
  • White Balance Correction: Adjusting the colors to remove any unwanted tints, ensuring that whites appear as true whites, and other colors are accurately represented.

By evaluating each image individually, we help achieve a cohesive and polished look across your entire set of images.

Pricing and Availability

McKenna’s color correction service is available on every image and is charged on a per-order basis. This allows color correction to be applied to all photos in the entire order with a single click, ensuring a consistent look across all your photos. Whether you have a small handful of images or hundreds, you can find our current pricing for color correction here.

Does McKenna Offer Retouching?

Yes! In certain situations, consider adjustments that go beyond color correction. For instance, a portrait featuring multiple people may need more specific color correction or photo editing for each individual; McKenna’s photo retouching professionals can assist with this. Our Photoshop experts can enhance and resolve almost any image issue within two to four business days. Whether you need standard blemish removal or a complete photo makeover, we’ve got you covered. Next month’s blog will discuss our digital editing services and how to order them.

Master Color Correction for Your Images

Many photographers prefer to handle their own color correction as it’s a valuable part of the creative process. By taking control of in-camera color balance, you ensure that every detail reflects your artistry exactly as you intended. Learning to fine-tune tones and maintain consistency across sessions strengthens your color accuracy.

If you are interested in improving your color accuracy and calibration, McKenna has several resources for you. To get started, refer to the article, “The Importance of Color Calibration for Photographers”, and the “Step-by-Step Monitor Calibration” video. For inspirational webinars on color, we recommend starting here and watching other previously recorded McKenna Live webinars.

This blog was written by Eric Garcia-March, our in-house Photography Education Specialist. Prior to McKenna, Eric was a commercial photographer for over 15 years and taught classes at the Image Processing and Multimedia Technology Center in Spain and post-production classes at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.

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Why Offer Banners and Posters?

Banners and posters are more than just prints; they are community builders, spirit boosters, and keepsakes that make athletes feel like stars. For photographers, they are an easy, high-demand add-on that can boost your revenue, increase your bottom line, and expand your brand presence. Add your logo to banners and posters, and watch your business become more recognizable in the community. These products not only add value to your team sessions but also keep clients coming back year after year, making them a smart investment for both your business and your clients.

Sports Banners and Vinyl Banners

Banners are a best-seller for sports photographers, and it’s easy to see why. McKenna offers two options to fit your clients’ needs:

• • Sports Banners – Super smooth material that blocks out light from shining through them. Best for indoor use.
  • Vinyl Banners – Durable enough for both indoor and outdoor display.

Banners at McKenna are available in a variety of sizes, starting at 24×36 inches. Banners are perfect for showcasing everything from individual portraits to full team shots. Whether they’re hung along the football stadium fence, displayed in the gymnasium, or placed around the school or community, banners create a bold and lasting impact. Personalize banners with details like the athlete’s name, team, year, position, or even a team slogan, making them a keepsake that players can treasure long after the season ends. They’re also a fantastic way to honor senior athletes or boost school spirit at pep rallies and events. Each banner comes with grommets for easy hanging.

Posters for Teams & Players

Another winning product for the season sports photographers is McKenna’s 12×18 Posters, printed on high-quality gloss card stock. These are available as 1 or 2-sided posters, with a minimum order of 10. Take advantage of our quantity break discounts, and get 1-sided posters as low as $0.75 each when you order in bulk!

Posters are a smart way for teams to share their pride with the community. Display them in local businesses, schools, or event venues to promote games and show support. Individual players also love using posters as handouts for friends and family, who can proudly wave them in the stands. With quantity pricing, the more you order, the more you save—making posters a profitable addition to your product line.

Make This Season Unforgettable

This sports season, give your clients more than just great photos; give them products that bring teams, families, and communities together. Order your Sports Banners and Posters today!

Images by Joshua Hanna Photography. Purchase these template designs at Josh Hanna Photo Design. Designs featured include: “Media Panels”, “Simply Smoke v2”, “Plastered”, “Cluttered”, “X”, and “Ghosted”.

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