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.

The post Can Small Prints Lead to Big Sales? appeared first on McKenna.

Selling printed artwork helps your clients turn fleeting moments into heirloom-quality décor they will see every day, not just when they are scrolling. There are many types of printed products to help your clients display their favorite images, and creating that heirloom doesn’t mean having to offer something super traditional, like mounted photos or canvases. When it comes to one-of-a-kind wall art, metal photos are a great product to offer because of their modern aesthetic and visual impact. Which is why these 5 hot tips for selling Metal Prints will come in handy!

McKenna’s Metal Prints for Professional Photographers

When you offer Metal Prints, you curate products that set the bar for quality, and only a professional printing lab can achieve that standard. Consumer products and discounted big-box printing options don’t cut it. When partnering with McKenna, you know that the quality of the elements that go into printing, along with the expertise of an experienced production team, will deliver your images in their best form.

For years, McKenna had been known for and perfecting all the ways that they deliver pictures on metal. To create stunning metal photos, McKenna uses a high-heat dye sublimation process. Images are infused into premium ChromaLuxe aluminum for stunning depth, vibrant color, and lasting durability. This process creates rich colors and incredible clarity with a depth that feels almost three-dimensional.

With surface options including glossy, semi-gloss, matte, or metallic, photographers customize each print to the mood and style of the image. Using our 5 hot tips for selling Metal Prints means matching the image with the customization. For instance, a romantic wedding image would look great with a metallic finish, allowing some of the metal sheen to come through. This style creates a soft, ethereal look. On the other hand, a high school senior in bold images at a skate park deserved the vivid impact of a glossy finish. Add a Metal Flush Frame or a Float Frame to these prints, and they are ready for the family gallery.

Displaying Custom Metal Prints

Speaking of ready-to-hang Metal Prints, McKenna offers multiple display options for metal photos. 

Metal Hanger

This is the standard option that comes with every Metal Print, featuring a metal sawtooth hanger and clear wall bumpers for easy hanging. This is great for a collage of several prints. The bumpers help keep things in place.

Stand Out Mount

This mount allows the print to hover off the wall by either ½” or 1”, and the size varies based on the print. The three-dimensional look of the standout mount makes an impact. 

Float Frames

A more premium option, a Float Frame wraps around the metal housing the print in a finished edge that looks more sophisticated. 

Metal Flush Frames

When a traditional wood frame does fit the décor, but you want a finished edge, a Flush Frame is the answer. The Metal Print sits flush atop a one-inch black or silver frame.

Easel Back

This option allows the Metal Print to be displayed on a tabletop or shelf, providing a free-standing display for smaller print sizes. They make great gifts.  

Post Stand Out Mount

This mount utilizes stainless steel posts to create a floating effect, giving the print an industrial feel. With an industrial look, this edgy style is perfect for commercial spaces. 

Rod and Rings

This option has a causal bo-ho feel. Think string lights and wall tapestries. Rings connect the metal photo to a rod attached to the wall. Great for a lifestyle family portrait. 

5 Hot Tips for Selling Metal Prints

Photographs printed on metal are not your average wall art. They offer bold color, sharp detail, and a sleek, contemporary finish that elevates any image. The characteristics of Metal Prints are great for photographers and their clients. Whether it is a high-energy action shot, a romantic portrait, or a serene landscape, custom metal prints let your images shine with impact. Now that we’ve covered the process, finishes, and options for metal photo prints, let’s look at some great ways to get clients interested in investing in these stunning works of art!

1. Talk the Talk!

Custom Metal Prints are simply stunning. However, no one is going to know about these fabulous characteristics unless you talk about them. So be sure that you are sharing all the descriptive words you have for them on brochures, on your website, and on social media. Don’t use the clinical industry speak about dye-sub printing. Use exciting, expressive, and emotional words to amplify just how special these prints are.

Take a cue from ordering at a restaurant. Don’t just ask, “Would you like fries with that?” Tell clients, “Nothing is more classic than a burger with fries, and our special seasoning and the fact that we fry the potatoes twice in duck fat to make our signature side dish, Luxe Fries, a must-have with your wagyu burger.” 

So rather than, “Would you like the 16×20 on canvas, or on metal?” Try, “Our stunning designer series metal wall prints, with bold colors and a semi-gloss finish, truly elevate your family portrait to a modern work of art.”

2. Show Them Off

All the words in the world can’t top seeing a Metal Print in person. Having a sample to show is a must. Since many people don’t regularly make photographic prints of their images, chances are, they may have never seen a photo printed on metal. When clients see vivid colors with deep contrast and sharp details, they’ll understand the uniqueness of having a Metal Print. Experiencing the lightweight durability, display options, and different finishes in person gives them the opportunity to consider how they would like their metal wall art to look.

If you don’t meet with customers in person, you can have a collection of detailed images on your website and social media. Create videos to tell the story of why metal prints look so impactful when displayed. Capturing customer reaction when unboxing or hanging their metal images, along with client testimonials, goes a long way in setting the stage for purchasing.

3. Campaign with Metal Prints

Marketing with printed products guarantees a print sale, and it opens up the opportunity for add-ons and upgrades. Metal Prints pair well with a variety of session types and events. When offering an image on metal with a special session, make the offer simple and create a sense of urgency. Here are a few ideas.

• Santa Sessions: Offer a complimentary 8×10 Metal Post Easel Print for the first 5 bookings. These prints can be used with holiday décor year after year.
• Pet Sessions: May is National Pet Month! Book your pet’s session during our Special Pet Event on May 23 and get a 12×18 stunning Metal Print of your beloved fur baby!
• Sportraits! Celebrate your athlete on the field with an outdoor action session or a stylized portrait session. Each session includes a vivid Metal Curve print that showcases the impact of each player’s talent!
• Wedding Wall Art: The Contemporary Collection includes a 3-piece Metal Print Cluster featuring a 20×20 and 2-12×12’s or a 4-piece 12×16 cluster.

4. Exhibit!

Need to show people your images printed on metal? Bring your work to the masses. For example, connect with local galleries, cafés, pubs, salons, public buildings, community colleges, or co-working spaces to see if displaying your work might be a fit.

If your collection of Metal Prints has a theme, like high school seniors, bar or bat mitzvahs, action shots, or landscapes, you can send a visual message about your specialty expertise and who you deliver your professional images to. Imagine being sought after for your talent and your metal wall art.

5. Business to Business

Similarly, if your photography focuses on the commercial or corporate side, Metal Prints can help define your niche. Photography that fills corporate spaces has to be expertly crafted and skillfully displayed. Think, manufacturing, real estate, or medical offices. Metal Prints of the business hanging in the business are branding gems. Here are some ways to incorporate Metal Prints into commercial jobs.

• Include a Float Frame Metal Print for the office of the CEO or a short list of executives.
• When storyboarding the photo shoot, plan a few hero shots that you would prefer displayed in the lobby.
• When executives update their professional images, include a set of Metal Business Cards as a client gift.

Stand Out!

Today, images are everywhere. How do you make the most memorable and impactful ones stand out for your client? Metal photo prints turn great images into experiences! With their sleek finishes and modern style, they transform images into gallery-worthy pieces. Implement our 5 hot tips for selling metal prints, and you’ll ensure the memories you capture and the art you create make a statement people will truly appreciate. Metal Prints from McKenna are a premium product with high emotional and visual impact. Having samples, using expressive language, and creative marketing can get Metal Print noticed. Additionally, special promotions and partnerships can turn Metal Prints into both a profitable product and an unforgettable client keepsake.

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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!”

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Senior Image by Joshua Hanna Photography.

The post 5 Hot Tips for Selling Metal Prints appeared first on McKenna.

Our shared mission is to help you build smarter systems, achieve higher revenue, and experience significantly less stress by streamlining every step from picture day to fulfillment. This partnership means fast turnaround and quick delivery of your prints and products, empowering your studio to take on more jobs and elevate your customer experience.

GotPhoto: Your All-in-One Platform for Peak Performance

GotPhoto is more than just software; it’s a comprehensive ecosystem built for the demands of modern volume photography. It empowers you to capture, organize, edit, market, sell, and fulfill orders with unmatched efficiency, ensuring your team can focus on what they do best – creating stunning images.

Here’s a sample of what GotPhoto can offer your studio:

Revolutionize Picture Day with Smart Automation

The path to a successful picture day starts long before the first click. For scale-up businesses, eliminating manual processes and ensuring accuracy is crucial. GotPhoto’s innovative tools are designed to save you hours on every job:

• • • Entagged & Name List: Say goodbye to paper lists, manual sorting, and costly mistakes. Our Entagged app, combined with the Name List feature, offers the fastest, easiest way to match names to images. This intelligent automation slashes labor costs and ensures precision, giving you back valuable time. Curious how Entagged works? Check out this recent webinar.
    • Streamlined Workflows: From improved makeup day processes to managing student data exports, GotPhoto simplifies complex logistical challenges, ensuring smooth operations for even your largest shoots.

Drive Sales with a High-Converting Online Shop

Your online presence is your most powerful sales tool. GotPhoto’s reimagined online shop is designed to maximize conversions and increase your average order value (AOV), making selling effortless.

• • • Tailored Product Suggestions: The shop intelligently suggests additional products, encouraging larger orders and boosting your bottom line.
    • Mobile First & Intuitive Checkout: With the majority of purchases happening on mobile, our fast-loading, mobile-optimized design and intuitive checkout process ensure a frictionless buying experience, keeping your conversion rates high.
    • Next-Level Sports Features: From seamless QR‑tagged capture and secure galleries to AI‑powered editing, memory mates, and professional-quality graphics via Next Gen, this all-in-one platform transforms busy sports shoots into high‑value, automated revenue engines.

Did you know: GotPhoto’s new shop drives 10% more sales on average compared to its legacy shop.

Optimize Post-Production & Fulfill Orders Seamlessly with McKenna

Once the shoot is done, the real work for scale begins: managing large volumes of orders and ensuring flawless fulfillment. GotPhoto provides the tools to streamline this critical phase, sending orders directly to McKenna for rapid processing.

• • • Automated Order Processing: Our system handles order processing automatically, freeing your team from tedious manual tasks.
    • Flexible Fulfillment Options: Choose between convenient drop shipping or efficient bulk shipping, with all your orders sent to McKenna for fulfillment.
    • Integrated Solutions: Take advantage of GotPhoto’s options for editing and extraction, ensuring consistency and quality control across all your images.

 Ted Sandeen Utilizes GotPhoto and McKenna in His Workflow

“Moving to online sales through GotPhoto is why we’ve doubled our revenue in 2 years, and cut operating costs by 30%. Our average order value went from $39 to $69.

“Having shopped on other platforms and labs, I am confident McKenna Pro, in combination with GotPhoto is the perfect recipe.

I encourage you to conduct a 3-step process:

1. Get samples from McKenna Pro and hold them up to your current offerings. You’ll thank me later!
2. Compare your COG on those prints vs your current lab.
3. Stop wasting your time on brand X; partner with GotPhoto for your online sales.”

Ted Sandeen, owner of Sandeen Photography

Discover GotPhoto’s Features

Your Favorite Products, Delivered by McKenna

Through GotPhoto, you can easily order McKenna’s most popular volume products, ensuring your customers receive the highest quality prints and specialty items, delivered efficiently. This includes a wide range of offerings like Photo Prints, Bag Tags, Buttons, Magnets, Ornaments, Metal Prints, Mouse Pads, Coffee Mugs, Memory Mates, and Trader Cards.

Get Started: Unlock Efficiency and Growth Today

Ready to experience the power of a truly integrated solution that puts you in control and gives you the confidence to scale your business?

1. Ensure you have accounts with both McKenna and GotPhoto.
2. Log in to your GotPhoto account and select McKenna as your preferred lab.

It’s that simple. All your orders will then seamlessly flow to McKenna for fulfillment, allowing you to benefit from the speed and accuracy of this powerful partnership.

Exclusive Offer for McKenna Clients:

Try GotPhoto for 3 months FREE when you sign up through our partner vendor link. It’s time to transform your studio’s potential.

Sign Up With GotPhoto Today!

The post Scale Smart, Shoot More: How GotPhoto & McKenna Empower Your Volume Studio for Unprecedented Growth appeared first on McKenna.

Often, photographers and their clients see printed products as an afterthought, something to mention in a price sheet or add as an upsell after the session. However, when these products are the centerpiece of your marketing strategy, everything shifts. They become the reason someone books, the incentive for them to return, and the memory that keeps your work on their walls for decades. To turn these products into profit and, more importantly, into lasting client relationships, you need more than just a pricing guide. You need a plan.

Products Are Your Difference Maker

For many photographers, creating marketing campaigns can be very seasonal. Popular times of year, like the fall and the winter holiday season, keep photographers busy through the fourth quarter of the year. Other popular calendar events, such as Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and graduations, are peppered throughout the year to keep busy. Annual holiday promotions can be great, but they can also be lost in an oversaturated marketplace. When there’s a celebration on the calendar, every service provider and retailer is flooding inboxes with promotional messages, and some may get lost in the crowd.

Learning how to create marketing campaigns around printed products lets you control the timing of campaigns, and as a result, you may find more space to get noticed when all the offers sound the same.

Of course, you will want to participate in marketing during popular times of the year, but what if your messaging were different? Featuring a printed product alongside the opportunity to be photographed during the peak of fall colors makes your messaging different. Try something like:

“Each family that participates in the Festival of Fall Portraits Sessions will get a beautiful framed artist’s canvas that will show off the family’s favorite autumn image from Main Street Park. Make this an annual tradition, and you’ll have your very own family gallery on display in your home. ”

This sounds more elevated and interesting than:

“Each mini session is 15 minutes long. If you are late, that will eat into your session time, so arrive 30 minutes early. Wait in your car until it’s your turn. These sessions can only include immediate family, no clothing changes, no pets.”

Finding Your Products

When exploring how to create marketing campaigns around printed products, you’ll need to curate the products that you would like to offer. If you are planning several campaigns a year, select a variety of options to encourage clients to come back for different items.

McKenna offers a range of beautiful, distinctive print options—Art Blocks, Metal Curves, Christmas Ornaments, Barn Wood, Accordion Books, Folios, and traditional photographic prints. When pairing a session type with a product, make sure the connection to the product makes sense. Barn Wood Minis with might go hand in hand with fall sessions, where Metal Curves and newborn images may seem a little disconnected.

The Purpose of Printed Products

If you want to know how to create marketing campaigns around printed products, you will want to start with the “why” of offering printed products. Printed products can help to build smart, emotional, and effective marketing campaigns. The secret isn’t just about what you offer—it’s how and why you introduce these items to clients.

Use Tangible Samples to Sell the Experience

Printed products don’t sell themselves online; they need to be seen, touched, and experienced. Having studio samples like Metal Curves or a handcrafted album isn’t just good practice; it’s essential. Show product options before sessions, consultations, and after the session wraps up. 

When clients can physically engage with the quality and presentation of printed products, they begin to imagine them in their own homes. They move from wondering “Why would I want this?” to “How big should I go?” You’re no longer just delivering images; you’re delivering artwork.

Integrate Print Into Your Brand, Not Just Your Packages

Photographers who build their brand around printed work automatically stand apart from those who don’t. When print is woven into your collections, your messaging, your visual branding, and your social presence, it communicates a level of professionalism and care for how your work is experienced. Rather than waiting until the sales session to mention Accordion Books or Art Blocks, make those products visible from the start—on your website, in your Instagram highlights, and through client testimonials.

Printed products should be a core part of the narrative you tell. When you position your work as something to be displayed, not just stored on a phone, clients perceive more value from the outset. 

Time-Sensitive Offers 

When planning how to create marketing campaigns around printed products, urgency is the key to getting clients off the fence. By designing your promotions around a short window or a limited quantity, you introduce a compelling time-senstive offer giving clients a reason to act now. For example, offering a complimentary ornament set for the first five bookings for a holiday-themed session. This campaign creates both value and scarcity. People are more likely to commit when the offer feels exclusive and fleeting.

This structure not only drives action but also helps you control your calendar and fill slow months in advance. The point isn’t to pressure; it’s to motivate in a way that feels rewarding.

Build Profit Through Strategic Add-Ons and Upsells

Your product offer should be a simple, standard starting point for more product sales. This doesn’t mean hard selling. It means planting seeds early and showing clients what’s possible. Include a small product in your base offering, like 3-5×7 Double-Sided Prints, and present an upgrade to select more prints and an Image Box as the logical next step. Use language that affirms their emotional investment: “You’ll have all your favorite images in one place,” or “Most of our clients choose to put a photo on the cover of the box to make it more of a display piece.”

When the products are high quality and meaningful, clients don’t feel like they’re being sold to—they feel like they’re being served.

How to Create Marketing Campaigns Around Printed Products

Let’s get to the fun part. Let’s look at how you can tailor specific campaigns around printed products to benefit your brand and your bottom line. 

Early Bird Senior Portrait Sessions

Want to get your calendar filled sooner rather than later? Create an incentive to book sessions by including a bonus 4×5 Accordion Book with 6 images in the first 10 Class of 2026 Sessions. Be sure to use product images and video in your marketing so clients see the value of the offer. 

Bold Black & White Prints

Offer a special set of sessions with limited availability to capture your family in classic black-and-white. Offer 15-minute or 30-minute sessions that include either an 11 x 14 or 16 x 20 canvas Art Block. Run the special annually so clients can create their own black-and-white gallery at home.

VIP Tweens

Shine a spotlight on the often overlooked youngsters who turned double digits, but are still in that space between kiddos and full-blown teenagers. Create sessions that highlight special interests and activities like music, sports, drama, gaming, etc. These theme sessions can include a small Metal Curve print with the option to upgrade to larger sizes with multiple images. Find repeat clients when you capture all the siblings in the family.

Proud Pet Parents

Create a first-year collection for everyone’s favorite furry family member. Your “Puppy to Big Dog” campaign can include three scheduled sessions in an 18-month time frame. Clients will receive one complimentary 5 x 7 Barn Wood Mini with each session. Be sure these sessions include parents and children in some poses to create interests in adding on Barn Wood Display Blocks and Metal Floats to complete their portrait display.

A Day in The Life

Invite families to participate in an activity that they enjoy while you document it. This could be a trip to the zoo or just playing games, and sipping cocoa on a snow day. Include a family album with an acrylic cover with 25 images as a keepsake from the session. Give clients the option to add images and spreads to he album as well as duplicate copies for gifting.

Legacy Summer Portraits

Celebrate all the generations in the family with a portrait session this summer. Include a 16×20 Framed Canvas with the session. Additionally, have specially priced options for duplications and personalized albums as an add-on after the session.

Children’s Themed Sessions

Your imagination is the limit when you create themed sets and props to tell a special story. Try your hand at creative sessions like: Fairy Tales, Sports Portraits, Vintage Looks, Pajamas & Pillow Fights, Super Heroes, or even Underwater Sessions. These stylized photo shoots attract clients looking for unique images and one-of-a-kind experiences. Create urgency by offering a set of three Double-Sided Prints to the first 5 sessions that book and encourage them to fill an Images Box with all their favorites.

Attract and Retain Clients

Print is not dead—it’s your secret weapon. When you position McKenna’s premium printed products as part of your brand experience, you turn clients into collectors. Plus, you elevate your business above the crowd.  Now that you know how to create marketing campaigns around printed products using intentional product positioning and strategic upsells, you can use printed products to drive bookings and create loyal fans, who will love the lasting memories you help create. 

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!” 

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Offering framed prints can add a lot of value to what you already do, plus offering services helps boost your customers’ experience. Most clients don’t know where to start when it comes to printing and framing their images, especially Gallery Wraps and Metal Prints. While these items are ready to hang on their own, understanding what Float Frames are allows you to offer an upgraded look to professionally printed images.

The Benefits of Float Frames

Let’s be honest, for a professional photographer, there’s something incredibly satisfying about seeing your work in print, and better yet, framed. A well-framed image has an impact. Frames elevate imagery in a way a screen just can’t match.

While printed products like canvas wraps and metal prints come ready to hang, they often lack that finished, intentional look that something like a Float Frame provides. What might feel casual or even a bit raw as a bare canvas or metal sheet suddenly looks like a true piece of art.

With Float Frames from McKenna, images become part of someone’s home decor. They are more than a collection of photos; they become gallery pieces.

If you are not offering framing on metals and canvas now, here are some things to consider.

1. By providing ready-to-hang artwork, you’re saving clients the time and hassle of having to shop, purchase, and DIY their framing. You’re also ensuring that your work is shown off the way it deserves to be — professionally printed, beautifully framed, and displayed with care.
   
2. There’s also a big benefit on your end: framed prints typically bring in a much higher profit than digital files alone. You’re not just selling a file—you’re selling a finished product. Something people can touch, see, and admire every day on their walls. It turns your photos into art.
3. Float-framed prints can be your brand’s unique offer. They help set you apart. Many photographers stick to digital delivery, so when you provide beautifully packaged, ready-to-hang artwork, it positions your brand as more premium and thoughtful. You’re offering a full experience, not just a shoot and a download link.

What Is A Float Frame?

Framing is an upsell; however, frames do have a perceived value. Canvas Gallery Wraps and Metal Prints can feel like an easy solution for wall art. But if you want to offer your clients something that feels more polished, timeless, and aligned with a higher-end experience, Float Frames can make a big difference. In addition, Float Frames also work with Art Blocks, Canvas Mounted on Masonite, and Fine Art Prints from McKenna.

So, what are Float Frames? A Float Frame surrounds the artwork with just a bit of space between the print and the frame’s edge, giving it the appearance that it’s “floating” inside the frame. It adds depth, dimension, and structure—which instantly elevates the piece.

Float Frames are available from McKenna in three color finishes: maple, white, or black. Sample sets of the frame corners are available. The Float Frames for 1/2″ Art Blocks and Fine Art Prints are 1 1/4″ deep, 3/8″ thick. Float Frames for Gallery Wraps are 2″ deep, 1/2″ thick. Prints are floated inside the frame with a 1/4″ air space between the image and the frame’s inner edge. All frames have a dust cover backing and a wire hanger, so they are ready to install on delivery.

Why Float Frames Work

Float Frames are a significant step up from frameless options like bare canvas or metal prints. While those can be convenient, they sometimes feel unfinished or out of place in certain home styles. 

From a client’s perspective, Float Frames:

• • Eliminate the need to shop for framing.
  • Add polish without overpowering the artwork. 
  • Enhance the overall presentation, making the image feel intentional and permanent.
  • Are ready to install.

For Photographers, Float Frames;

• • Create a gallery-quality finish that helps images stand out in clients’ homes.
  • Make wall art seem more permanent, more considered, and more valuable.
  • Helps deliver a full-service experience.
  • Are easy to order from McKenna and don’t affect product turnaround times.
  • Can add significantly to sales averages.

The Investment is Worth It!

Offering prints with Float Frames isn’t just about making more money (though that’s definitely a perk); it’s about giving your clients something complete, tangible, and lasting.

So when you offer Float Frames, you’re not just selling a product—you’re solving a problem your clients didn’t even realize they had until they’re holding that Art Block or a Canvas Mounted on Masonite, asking themselves, “Now what?”

Here are some ways to incorporate Float Frames into product offers.

This or That

When offering canvas and metal stand-alone wall art, list the unframed and framed prices next to each other. Be sure the variance between the two options is enticing. It’s only $X to get the upgrade. This may mean increasing the price of the standalone to close the gap. Get the COG (cost of goods) on the framed piece set first so that your profit margins are appropriate.

Limited Offer

Use Float Frames as incentives to book special event sessions. For instance, the first 5 beach sessions booked in June get a complimentary Float Frame on any Canvas Gallery Wrap 24″ or larger. The Float Frame is a loss leader in the offer, but the likelihood of making up for that on a family beach session is high.

All Inclusive

Only offer framed wall art. For any printed product, 14″ or larger, framing is “included”. Calculate all the costs together, and that’s the all-inclusive. This can make your services stand out, while not for everybody, it certainly can be for those who like a refined and finished gallery piece.

Clients invest in photography because they want to preserve memories and enjoy them every day, not because they want another project. When you hand them a finished print in a Float Frame, you take all of that pressure off. They are ready to experience the joy of instantly seeing your work in their space, beautifully presented—no errands, no guesswork, no stress.

So, what are Float Frames from McKenna? They are a way to add to the presentation of gallery prints that helps shape the perception of their value.

When you include a Float Frame, you’re showing your clients that every detail matters—not just the image itself, but how it lives in their home. It’s a subtle but powerful way to reinforce your brand as someone who delivers not just photos, but finished, lasting artwork.

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!”

Bridal Portrait Image by Paris Mountain Photography.

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Offering structured collections that include printed products and digital files alongside à la carte options gives clients flexibility while encouraging a higher sales average per session. Delivering digital files is only half of the photography service equation. Helping your clients make the most of the images they love completes the transaction in more ways than one.

1. Offering finished prints, wall art, and albums helps clients move forward with getting those images printed without having to go elsewhere, procrastinate about it, or skip the prints altogether.
2. Being able to source the best quality products – professional photo albums, canvases, metals, and prints ensures that your images look their very best.
3. As a full-service photographer, you can earn more per session with printed products.

As we discuss pricing in this blog, remember that the amount you charge for services and products must be calculated based on the cost of running your business. For demonstration purposes, we’ll be using generic pricing. Be sure to fully examine the costs of running your business and paying yourself before finalizing your pricing.

Start with à La Carte

To have collections, you need to start with some à la carte pricing; a list of what you would charge for items as stand-alone purchases. ​Listing the à la carte pricing also helps establish the value of the collections. Items bundled together in a collection should offer a slight discount.

À la carte pricing is beneficial to have on hand for customers who want more flexibility or a tighter budget. By eliminating unnecessary extras, clients avoid overspending and feel more in control of their purchase.

The downside of à la carte pricing is that when presented with an overwhelming array of options, they may experience decision fatigue, leading to missed opportunities and unpredictable sales outcomes. Collections can help manage that.

À la carte options are great for clients who want to customize. However, they shouldn’t compete with your collections. Price items high enough to encourage upgrading to a collection for a better purchasing experience.

Here is a simple example of an à la carte product price list for portraits. 

• • 16×20 Framed Canvas: $650
  • 11×14 Metal Flush Frame: $400
  • 10×10 Album with 25 Images and 10 Spreads: $650
  • 8×8 Photo Book with 15, Images 10 Spreads: $290
  • 8×10 Print (unmounted): $40
  • 5×7  Print (unmounted): $20
  • 25-Custom Designed 5×7 Printed Cards: $90
  • 4×8 Accordion Book with 6 Images: $70
  • 8 Double-Sided 5×7 Prints in an Image Box with 16 Digital Files*: $850

*Digital files can be included with all these printed products, bundled separately, or offered on a sliding scale. Price or add the digital files appropriately. They are the most valuable item, since without them, there would be nothing to share on social media!

Creating Print Collections

With base pricing in place, you can start to build collections. Keep things straightforward and be sure groupings support the type of session or subject matter. A boudoir session might not need wall art, but a multi-generation family session would. By bundling popular services and products together, you simplify the decision-making process for your clients. Instead of sifting through numerous individual options, clients can choose a package that suits their needs, reducing stress and making the purchasing process easier.

Collections often come with slight discounts compared to purchasing items à la carte, providing clients with a sense of savings and added value. Additionally, offering customizable add-ons or bonuses can make the experience more engaging, allowing clients to tailor their package to their preferences.​

Creating print collections can benefit your business as well by promoting consistent revenue streams and making it easier to set financial goals and expectations. They also streamline the sales process, saving time for both you and your clients.

Collection Examples

Here are some basic collections created from the à la carte example pricing:

The Family Collection $1990*

• • 1-16×20 Framed Canvas
  • 1-10×10 Album with 25 images and 10 Spreads 
  • 2-8×10 Print (unmounted) 
  • 2-5×7  Print (unmounted)
  • 10 High-Res Digital Files 

*Save over $300 off à la carte pricing!

OR

The Standard Senior Collection $1050*

• • 1-11×14 Metal Flush Frame 
  • 8 Double-Sided 4×6 Prints in an Image Box with 16 Digital Files
  • 25-Custom Designed 5×7 Printed Cards

*Save over $150 off à la carte pricing!

In both collection examples, the total à la carte price of each collection was reduced by 10-12%. Rather than making clients add things up, tell them what they are saving, either dollars or a percentage. If you want the savings to seem more significant, raise the à la carte pricing AND increase the discount on the collections.

It can’t be stressed enough that the numbers have to work for your business and the cost associated with that.

Marketing with Products

Creating print collections and pricing them out may be a little tedious. However, it’s important to have all your pricing in place before the client inquiries. Additionally, if they don’t ask about tangible products, it’s great to have a guide for them.

An even better way to get customers interested in your services and products that you offer is to market with printed products. Using prints, wall art, and albums as an incentive to book. As a result, by offering a collection up front, print sales are guaranteed, and add-ons are a big possibility.

Here are some marketing ideas for special offers. A separate session fee is factored into the pricing here. These examples are simplified for example purposes. You may need to add more descriptions and qualifying details. The complimentary item is figured into the package and a lower markup to get a bigger commitment.

Mother’s Day Sessions with a Bonus Gift! $250

Session + A Complimentary 4×8 Accordion Book with 6 Printed Images

All additional files and products are sold separately

Cake Smash or Birthday Session and a Gift! $850

Session & 8 Double-Sided 5×7 Prints in an Image Box with 16 Digital Files

 Senior Folio Session – 2 Outfits – One Location or Studio Set $350

 PLUS a Complimentary 8×8 Photo Book with your selected images

All additional files and products are sold separately

VIP Fall Portrait Session with 25 Complimentary Holiday Cards $990

Session at Prime Location and Time

1-16×20 Framed Metal Print

1-8×10, 2-5x7s, and 5 Digital Files

Early Bird Exclusive Wedding Collection

Book your 2027 Wedding before 03/01/2026 And Get A Gift from Us!

Receive two Complimentary Parent Albums with the “We Do” or the “Timeless” Wedding Collection

Custom Collections

If à la carte is too underwhelming and collections seem too restricted, let customers customize their purchase and benefit from discounts. The pricing strategy here is a little different. You’ll be offering different items at the same price point, however, the actual cost of goods per item may be similar but not the same. Set the retail value of each item in the group based on the highest priced product, plus markup.

This lets customers make an ether or decision based on what they like, not price.

The Senior Select Collection $1140 – SAVE $200

Choose 1 Item from Each Category

 #1 Wall Art

• • 1-Framed Canvas (16×20)
  • 1-Metal Flush Frame (16×20)
  • 1-Gallery Mount Photographic Print (16×20)

#2 Album

• • 1-10×10 Album: Linen Cover Imprinting and 25 Images
  • 1-7×9  Album: Leather Cover Imprinting and 25 Images
  • 1-8×12 Album: Canvas Photo Cover and 25 Images

#3 Gift Item

• • 25-5×7 Graduation Announcements
  • 4×8 Accordion Folio with 6 Images
  • 6-5x7s & 36 Wallets

At the end of the day, offering prints isn’t just about boosting your bottom line—it’s about giving your clients a complete, thoughtful experience they’ll remember. Creating print collections makes the decision process easier for customers, reduces overwhelm, and helps highlight the value of your work in a clear and compelling way. Collections naturally guide clients toward the most popular and profitable options, increase your average sale, and save time during the ordering process. Plus, they allow you to present your work as a cohesive experience rather than a menu of scattered items. Start simple, stay flexible, and don’t be afraid to tweak things as your business grows!

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!”

The post How to Create Print Collections appeared first on McKenna.