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.

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Creative Exercise #1: Limit Yourself

One of the most effective ways to boost creativity is to impose self-limitations. This could be as simple as using only one lens, shooting in black and white, using only one light source, or restricting yourself to a specific theme. By limiting your options, you force your brain to think differently and experiment in ways you may not have considered before.

Creative Exercise #2: Experiment With Wrong Settings

What happens when you intentionally set your camera to the wrong exposure or choose an unconventional white balance? Take the plunge and experiment! Sometimes, the “mistakes” can lead to unique and unexpected results that spark new ideas and perspectives.

In my black and white macro photography, I unintentionally developed my processing technique. By severely underexposing the highlights, I create various versions of the image as Photoshop layers, applying different blend modes and opacities. I would never have discovered this technique if I hadn’t experimented with the underexposed image.

Creative Exercise #3: Have A Colleague or Peer Edit Your Image

Getting a fresh pair of eyes on your work can be invaluable. Swap images with a fellow photographer and let them edit your shots. Their approach may highlight aspects you hadn’t noticed, or their style could inspire you to rethink how you present your work.

Creative Exercise #4: Create A Photo Series

Instead of focusing on single images, challenge yourself to create a cohesive photo series. Pick a subject—perhaps a local landmark, a type of flower, or even a daily object—and capture it from different angles and perspectives. This not only hones your skills but also crafts a narrative that can resonate with viewers.

Creative Exercise #5: Pick A Subject

Choosing a subject can sometimes be overwhelming. For this creative exercise, make a deliberate choice and stick to it. Whether it’s portraits, architecture, or nature, dive deep into your selected subject. Explore its nuances, characteristics, and stories through your lens.

Creative Exercise #6: Exhaust The Idea

Once you’ve chosen a subject, don’t shy away from exploring it thoroughly. Capture it under various conditions, times of day, and moods. This thorough exploration can lead to a deeper understanding of your subject and may birth strong, compelling images that tell a rich story.

Creative Exercise #7: Learning Assessment

Take some time to assess your progress. Review the work you’ve done and observe any patterns, themes, or techniques that stand out. Identify areas where you’ve grown and those where you still want to improve. This reflection is crucial for ongoing development as a photographer.

Creative Exercise #8: Use A New Post-Processing Style

Post-processing can transform good images into great ones. This month, challenge yourself to try a new editing style. Whether it’s a vintage film look or a high-contrast editorial style, experimenting with different post-processing techniques can breathe new life into your photography.

Creative Exercise #9: Shoot Some Film

Finally, one of the most popular creative exercises for photographers: step away from digital for a moment and shoot some film! This tactile medium encourages a different way of thinking about your images, from composition to exposure. Embrace the delayed gratification of waiting to see your shots and relish the surprise and satisfaction that comes with shooting film.

Get some Kodak T-Max 400 Black and White Film and try experimenting with the Holga camera. It produces dreamy images using a 60mm f/8 plastic lens. Each camera body has its own light leaks, which create inherent vignetting.

Creative Exercise #10: Attend Workshops or Classes

Learning from experienced photographers can provide insights and techniques you might not have considered. Engaging in discussions and exercises can help refine your skills and creativity. Please check out past McKenna Live Webinars on YouTube.

As your photography journey continues, I encourage you to embrace these challenges head-on. You may discover something new about your photography, gain fresh insights, and connect with your creative self in a way you haven’t before. So grab your film or digital camera and push your boundaries to see just how far your creativity can go.

Happy shooting!

This blog was written by Eric Garcia-March, our in-house Photography Education Specialist and host of our McKenna Live webinars. 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 10 Creative Exercises for Photographers 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!” 

The post How to Create Marketing Campaigns Around Printed Products appeared first on McKenna.

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.

In our last blog, Top Tips for Offering Grad Cards, Maureen Miller, CPP, shared ideas on how to incorporate offering grad cards into your senior packages. By offering grad cards, whether as an incentive or as a package a la carte product, you get to monitor the quality control of the final product. When you print your cards at McKenna, you ensure your work is printed on the highest quality papers showcasing great color and detail every time.

But, what about the design? Designing senior grad cards shouldn’t feel like a chore. We have options to help you streamline your process so you can spend less time designing at your desk and more time out photographing! Whether you’re looking for quick and easy templates or prefer full creative control, here are a few tips to make designing your grad cards a breeze every season.

Keep It Simple With Our Drag-and-Drop Templates

We offer several drag-and-drop grad card templates for you to choose from. We update these designs every spring to bring new and fresh looks to our offering lineup. Using these templates in Easy Order and McKenna Web is easy:

1. Upload your images.
2. Choose your template.
3. Drag your images into the image nodes.
4. Update the text nodes with your clients’ information.
5. Add to the cart and submit your order.

McKenna Tip: When using the templates in Easy Order and McKenna Web, the more you type in the text nodes, the smaller your text will be.

I Love Your Templates, but I Need A Little More Customization! 

We make the customization of our grad card templates easier by offering downloadable Photoshop files of the designs. You can find our past and current PSDs, as well as the Grad Card Marketing Brochure PDFs, from our Downloads page. These PSDs give you a springboard for your creativity with the ability to change colors, fonts, sizes, add more image nodes, etc.

I Have A Senior Grad Card Design In Mind. Where Do I Start?

Ensure your one-of-a-kind grad card design is set up correctly by downloading our Base Template PSD’s before you start designing. Why do we recommend doing this? These PSD files include the bleed that is needed for printing which is 1/8” on each side of the cards. (For example: a 5×7 printed card needs a 5.25 x 7.25 file size.) We also include a safe line as a reference of where to keep all of your important text and design elements for printing. 

McKenna Tip: Keeping your text and design elements within the safe area of the design, and not right up against the line, is important as all cards are stack cut during the finishing process.

What Details Should Be On My Grad Card Design?

The most common details included on a grad card are the graduate’s name, graduation year, and the date, time, and location of the party. Other details may include:

• Name of the high school they are graduating from
• Commencement ceremony details
• Honors or achievements
• Favorite quote or motivational message
• Future plans such as where they are attending a trade school or college, their field of study, joining the military or the workforce, etc.
• Other details of the party such as menu, gifts, registries, etc.

Need More Inspiration?

There are thousands of graduation templates out there to spark your creativity and match your seniors’ unique style. Google and Pinterest are great resources for looking for the current grad card trends. You can find additional pre-templates and design elements for purchase through Adobe Stock, Etsy, Canva, and Creative Market.

Three popular design trends for graduation announcements that we see photographers using  include:

• A minimalist aesthetic with clean lines, white space, and focus on the imagery.
• Bold typography for the grad’s name and mixing script fonts for the header text with serif or san serif fonts for the detailed copy.
• Geometric shapes used as the image nodes or in a pattern within the design.

Happy Designing!

Once your design is complete, save your JPG files, select your favorite McKenna paper type and finish, and place your McKenna card order. The 2025 graduation season will be here and over before you know it, so don’t delay placing your orders! Cards are printed and shipped within 1-2 business days of receiving your order.

The post Senior Grad Card Design 101: A Guide for Photographers appeared first on McKenna.

Digital images from the sessions give graduates the immediate satisfaction that they looked great and had fun. Of course, kids and parents get excited to share the milestone of high school graduation on social media. However, there are so many great looks, settings, and locations captured during a senior session, so it makes sense that some of their favorite images end up in printed products like albums and wall galleries.

While big-ticket products boost sales averages, don’t overlook the smaller items like grad cards. They can have a surprising impact on your customers’ experience and future sessions. We’ll share the top tips for offering grad cards in just a bit.

Getting Over the Design Hurdle

Offering options for printed cards like save the dates, party invites, and the holidays can be a stumbling block for some photographers. Starting a design from scratch can be a challenge. Plus, the time it takes to design a few card templates can offset the profitability of selling the cards. These lower-priced items can’t withstand much of a markup. So, if you’re spending hours designing a 5 x 7 grad card, you’re eating into any profit margin.

We’ve got a solution! McKenna has pre-designed cards that are downloadable and editable. There’s even a premade catalog for you to share with clients. This allows photographers to create cards in minutes and easily customize them for each unique client.

2 Benefits of Offering Grad Cards

Show off your stuff.

Grad cards act like mini-portfolios on the move. One of the top tips for offering grad cards with your high school senior sessions is that these shareable items will get your senior and your images noticed beyond your current client base. Each design can show off a nice selection of images, highlighting the variety, creativity, and uniqueness of each session. Of course, as cards are sent out, you are reaching new people who may also be in the market for senior portraits.

Be the printing hero.

If customers are getting digital files alongside prints in their collections, they may be tempted to DIY  their announcements. However, clients may be missing out on your professional aesthetic and quality professional products. Helping create the right design and choosing the best images takes the burden off mom and makes you a shining star when it comes to service. Plus you have more control over the way your images are reproduced. Keeping with the quality of your brand.

Getting Started with Grad Cards

So now that we know that parents want grad cards, they are easy to design, and there are lots of lovely paper options to choose from, here are 3 tips to start offering grad cards to your clients.

1. Make decisions easy. While it might be tempting to offer lots of choices, you may want to cull down the card design choices to fit your brand and style. Don’t overwhelm.
2. Keep things simple with a few size options, and paper types. A “this or that” approach to choosing what works best for each client.
3. Limit the number of images on the card. The templates give a great guide to how many photos look good within a design. Grad cards are not big canvas and adding too many images will look crowded and less impactful.

Top Tips for Offering Grad Cards

Once you’ve decided on the products that you’re offering for your grad cards, now it’s time to figure out how to include them in sets, collections, and special promotions.

Use grad cards as incentives.

• Offer complementary grad cards for sessions that book early in the season.
• Include 25 – 5 x 7 grad cards as a gift with the purchase of any 10 x 10 album
• Gift a set of 4×6 grad cards with a purchase of any two pieces of wall art.
• Offer them as bonuses for an upgraded session.
  “If you book a studio session in combination with an outdoor at the lake session, you’ll receive 25 complementary 5×7 custom designed grad cards.”

Pro Tip: When using grad cards as incentives, keep in mind, the price of the cards is fairly low, but always be sure to figure that cost into the overall collection. Giving something away should not eat into your profits.

Offer grad cards designs right out of the gate.

• When sending clients their galleries, or when meeting in person for their ordering appointment, show them three grad card designs that you’ve already created. Remember now that you have templates, it’s really easy to do!

“We’ll have a look through all your images and narrow down to your favorites. I did want to show you some announcement cards I made with some of my favorite images. You could swap these out, but I wanted to let you know that they are available to add onto any collection.”

Pro Tip: When offering grad cards, include them with other items so that they are not a standalone. They are a perk, a bundled item that adds value to a collection.

Create customer delight.

• When customers meet a certain price point, give them 25 grad cards.
• Give complimentary grad cards to any ambassadors and increase the amount with their referrals.
• If a client will collaborate with you on social media, gifting them grad cards that they can share is a nice touch.

Pro Tip: Offering complimentary grad cards in a low volume can inspire the need to purchase more. Treat them like a loss leader. Something you don’t stand to make a profit on, but they serve as an introduction to something bigger.

Be sure to check all the boxes.

• Grad cards announce that a high school senior is graduating.
• Custom invitations to a party or open house can be a different card design.
• Parties create a need for thank you notes.

Pro Tip: Create a la carte and bundled card options. With bundles of multiple printed products, you are helping to fill a need and save mom some time! Win-win!

Get Those Grad Cards Out There!

Remember, the smaller price point items are often the ones most shared.  Things like grad cards, accordion books, folios, and gift prints are often seen by people outside the family and outside the circle of friends creating a great reach for you and your brand! So keep these top tips for offering grad card in mind when updating your senior portrait collections.

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 Top Tips for Offering Grad Cards appeared first on McKenna.

Flex That Creative Muscle

Clients don’t just want cookie-cutter images. Although trends can attract, customers are looking for a unique perspective and style. This is especially true for senior portraits and weddings. The more creative and professional your work is, the more value people will find in your services. Heightened creativity can also impact your brand and the products that you offer, which can translate into higher sales.

If you’re feeling stuck in a routine, shaking up your creative approach can help refresh your portfolio and expand your offerings. When you add creative lighting, interesting angles, and impactful storytelling to your repertoire potential clients notice! With more impactful imagery, you can add more finished artwork, like albums and metal prints to your collections. Here are some techniques that will enhance both your artistry and your earnings.

4 Creative Photography Ideas to Boost Your Business

1. Shift Your Point of View

The angle from which you shoot can have a huge impact on the final image. Instead of always positioning your camera at eye level, experiment with shooting from above or below to create a more striking composition.

A high vantage point, such as a staircase or balcony, can give a unique bird’s-eye perspective. Low-angle shots can make subjects appear larger-than-life. Clients appreciate photos that feel different from what they typically see. Creative compositions are a valuable selling point.

A wide-angle lens—such as a 35mm—can emphasize depth and provide a more immersive, storytelling feel. This technique works especially well for group shots or environments adding an energetic edge to a session. Be strategic when posing a subject so the images are innovative and flattering.

Example:

• Pose a high school senior in a setting, let’s say, a boy on a staircase.
• Capture close-ups, overhead shots, wide angles, narrow depth of field, and panoramic compositions.
• Utilizing multiple angles and focal lengths can create a variety of unique images from one location.
• Sessions like these will have clients needing more than one or two printed images
• Offer wall collages, albums, and accordion books to showcase all of the images.

2. Capture Real Moments

While posed images are a must-have, some of the most powerful photographs are taken when people see me completely unaware of the camera. Setting your subjects up to capture their candid moments can help you to create impactful and emotional images.

When stepping away from clients to capture these images consider the direction of the natural light. Also, notice any objects in the scene that might add to or detract from the photo. Giving clients some prompts can help start the interactions between subjects.

Using a longer lens allows you to capture these genuine moments. Whether it’s an exchange of laughter, a fleeting glance, or an unscripted reaction, these storytelling images help clients feel a deeper connection to their photos. Simultaneously, offering documentary-style photography can set you apart from competitors and attract clients who want a more authentic feel to their images.

Images like these work great in professional photo albums. Candid or lifestyle images focus on the narrative and personality of the subject. Mixed with more traditional posed portraits they help tell a genuine story.

3. Take Inspiration from Pop Culture

For clients who want something truly unique, drawing inspiration from classic artwork, films, or cultural icons can be a fun and rewarding way to create standout images. For instance, recreating a dramatic movie scene, a famous painting, or a stylized character theme, while adding your personal touch can result in one-of-a-kind images. This approach is also great for your clients looking for an experience rather than just a photo session.

This method requires planning—discuss ideas with your clients, plan outfits, and choose a location that complements the theme. While this level of detail isn’t for everyone, clients who love personalization will be willing to pay a premium for a highly stylized shoot that reflects their personality.

Images from these projects, for instance, a superhero-inspired session with colored gels, atmospheric fog, and dramatic light would look stunning on large metal prints.

Pro tip 1: Be aware and comply with any copyright or licensing that might come into play when using trademarked likenesses.

Pro tip 2: While capturing trendy subject matter and Pinterest-driven inspo, be sure to give things your own twist. Sure give clients Instagram-worthy images, but go beyond to create something that is your vision, that is unique and can live in your portfolio for more than a moment. Trends fade fast. Your work should stand on its own for a bit.

4. Creative Photography Ideas from Personal Projects

Of the 4 creative photography ideas to boost your business, this one is a choose-your-own-adventure exercise. One of the best ways to reignite creativity is by stepping away from client work and shooting purely for yourself. For instance, choose a theme, technique, or subject that excites you and commit to capturing it over a set period. Take a week, a month, or an entire year to complete the project.

Some ideas include:

• 365-Day Photo Challenge – Take and edit one creative photo every day.
• Single Color Project – Focus on finding and photographing a specific color in unexpected places.
• New Point of View – Look for interesting focal points and unique compositing that makes you look at everyday items in a new and unique way.
• Unconventional Portraits – Experiment with unique lighting, reflections, or abstract compositions outside of client work.
• Storytelling Series – Create a series of images that tell a visual story without words.

By pushing yourself outside of your usual style and experimenting without pressure, you’ll develop new techniques, discover fresh perspectives, and bring renewed energy into your client work.

Creativity isn’t just about artistic satisfaction—it’s a strategic tool for growing your business and increasing your rates. Additionally. the more your style and creativity are reflected in your work, the more valuable your services become. Business-wise, the more engaging and impactful your imagery is, the more it needs to be on display in print on walls and in albums. This brings in more sales from finished products.

Take some time to explore these 4 creative ways to boost your business in 2025. Clients are drawn to photographers who offer something fresh and exciting. Your efforts in innovation create a direct path to higher profits. So, push your creative limits, refine your craft, and watch as both your portfolio and your profits grow. We can’t wait to see the results!

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 Loker Photography, Joshua Hanna Photography and Design, Cathy Anderson Photography, and Any Angle Photography.

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