We live in a world today where clients can get whatever they want (or at least they think they can) online. But we all know, at the end of the day, that the photo products on Amazon or at Walmart are not the same quality as we get from professional labs. For the most part, if you offer a unique product for your clients, you won’t have to compete with those big box or online stores. In our studio, sure, we offer your standard prints and canvas, but it’s not something that we’re pushing hard to clients. Instead, what we’re trying to do is offer a unique set of products to our clients so that they want to spend money in our studio.
How, in a sea of sameness, do you get those unique products? Maybe you’re even a new photographer getting into it and you’re trying to figure out, “What do I even offer? Where do I start?” Because when you go to trade shows, there’s so many products, and it can be overwhelming.
In the beginning, when I started as a wedding photographer, my price sheet was just getting out of control. It was like a quad fold because I was trying to offer everything. Gift cards, ornaments, jewelry… No, stop it. Instead, focus on more unique and high-end products. Here are my favorites.
Product #1: Albums
I believe every wedding photographer should absolutely offer albums in their packages. Don’t offer just coverage only. I think that’s a miss. Don’t offer coverage plus digital. I think that’s also a miss. Start incorporating the delivery of albums as part of your coverage. In our studio, the client is always going to get an album as part of their delivery. Now, the size of the album, what leather material they use, that may change and that’s fine. You can have different tiers of albums, just make sure you’re offering an album at some level.
Product #2: Acrylic Blocks
Another product I highly recommend you carry, or consider carrying, are acrylic blocks. I think acrylic blocks are extremely unique. Not all acrylic blocks are created the same, and so you’ll want to ask the question. With some cheaper acrylic blocks, they will actually print on the acrylic. Why does that matter? The color gamut is not the same – not even close – as a photographic print. The ones we offer (from H&H Color Lab) are photographic prints that are adhered to the acrylic. The reason that’s important is because, while your client may never know, you want to offer a quality product.
We use metallic paper to get that vibrancy that you just don’t get on a printer that’s printing directly on the acrylic.
Products #3 & 4: Framed Canvas & Metals
Of course, we offer metals and canvas, but how do we jazz that up a little bit? Easy – add a frame. Frames instantly elevate a product to that high-end status.
Metals can sometimes look like they belong in a commercial space. It’s almost too modern. But you put that frame around it, and it’s going to look incredible. Choose a black frame, brown frame, white frame, give them some options.
One last product I’d highly consider you offer is canvas, but once again, let’s elevate that. We offer framed canvas. Same kind of deal. People can get canvas at Sam’s Club. They can get Canvas at a multitude of places online. Framed canvas though, looks and feels like more of a high-end product.
Unique Products = Higher Sales
If you’re trying to figure out, as you’re getting started, “What products are my clients going to be willing to spend more money on?” Well, the products I showed you today, those are the products I’ll be willing to spend more money on..
