Get started for just £99! – Find out more.
Get started for just £99! – Find out more.
Selling prints and physical products can be a fantastic way for portrait photographers to increase their income and offer more value to their clients. Whether you specialise in family, pet, boudoir, or baby photography, offering prints, albums, and wall art can set you apart and create a memorable experience for your clients. However, not everyone feels confident selling these items, especially when they are high-ticket products.
Here are some straightforward tips to help you sell prints more successfully, whether you are just starting or have been in the industry for decades.
✅ Set clear expectations about your print and product offerings from the start.
✅ Display your physical artwork everywhere (online and in your studio).
✅ Use user-generated content, such as client videos and testimonials, to build trust and desire.
✅ Show your products in real homes and studios to help clients imagine them in their own space.
✅ Offer finance options to make high-ticket items more accessible.
✅ Build your confidence in selling by believing in the value of your products.
✅ Use authentic feedback and testimonials to increase credibility.
✅ Join Forward Focus for advice and guidance.
The first thing to do is set expectations of what you offer. Use images of your physical artwork everywhere. Have it on your website, on your social media channels, just everywhere. Even if you are not directly telling clients that you do physical items, showing your work in this way sets a subconscious expectation that, at some point, you will be offering them those sorts of products.
Setting expectations is really important. The last thing they want is to be sold high-value items that they weren’t expecting, and the last thing you need is to get a bad review saying you use pressure sales tactics after their photoshoot.
Moving on from displaying your artwork online, it is also important to display it physically around your studio space. This further sets the expectation for your clients. Many photographers put displays throughout their studio, and often their clients will come in and be blown away by what they have to offer. We’ve heard stories where particular wall art pieces have been on display, and the clients have said, “that’s what I want. I want that.” These can be easy sales to make above £1,000.
If you are not displaying your work in physical displays throughout your studio, it is like a jewellery shop without any jewellery on display, shining away. It is just an empty space. Make sure your studio, whether it is a dedicated space or a home studio, has your best work on the walls and on display stands. This helps clients see what is possible and makes it easier for them to imagine your products in their own homes.
Another useful tip to increase your physical product sales is to create user-generated content. User-generated content is essentially a short video of your clients in front of their prints, albums, or wall art. All they need to do is say thank you and compliment the experience and your service. It doesn’t have to be long or overly edited because the more raw and authentic it is, the more believable it is to anyone viewing that content.
The more of these videos you have, the more trust and authority you are building. When it comes to selling products, status can be quite a big thing. People want what other people have. If you are able to put all that content in front of your prospects, they are going to want your products as well.
If it doesn’t seem possible to gather UGC efficiently, then the next best thing is to get screenshots from WhatsApp or text messages. These appear far more real than the text you’ve copied and pasted to your website. Share these screenshots far and wide, across your social media, website, and anything your target audience can consume.
If you don’t have the confidence to sell something for a high price, try offering finance. We get it, not everyone wants to offer finance, but it is a very common practice for products of high value. You are selling a luxury item for a home, so much like a sofa, TV, washing machine, or fridge, it is perfectly reasonable to offer finance.
Offering finance can break down the cost for your clients, making your products more accessible. If we look at it from a sales psychology perspective, it can also make your offering look more affordable.
Not everyone has the confidence to sell prints. Not everyone enjoys being in a sales room to sell these items.
If you want to build your confidence, start by believing in the value of your products. The value is not just in the physical print itself. It is in the sentimental value, the memories, and the experience you are providing. Remember that you are not just selling paper and ink. You are selling memories, art, and a piece of your client’s story.
If you struggle with the sales process, practice talking about your products with friends or family. Roleplay the sales conversation. The more you do it, the easier it will become. Remember, you are offering something valuable, and your clients will appreciate your guidance.
It is important to guide your clients through the buying process. Do not just leave them to browse an online gallery and hope they will buy. Be there to answer questions, make suggestions, and help them choose the right products for their home.
If you can, offer in-person viewing sessions where you can show them their images and talk them through the different product options. If you cannot do this in person, consider a video call or a screen share. The more guidance you provide, the more likely they are to buy.
Remember, many clients have never bought professional prints or wall art before. They may not know what sizes work best or what products are available. Your expertise and guidance are valuable.
Clients are more likely to buy prints and wall art if they can imagine them in their own home. Use images of your products in real homes, either your own or your clients’ (with permission). Show how your artwork looks above a sofa, in a hallway, or in a bedroom.
If you can, use software or apps that allow you to show clients how their chosen images will look on their own walls. This can be a powerful tool for helping them visualise the final product and make a decision.
Social media is a powerful tool for showing off your products. Post images of your prints, albums, and wall art regularly. Share behind-the-scenes photos of your studio and your clients receiving their products.
Use stories and reels to show quick videos of your products being unboxed or displayed in clients’ homes. Tag your clients (with their permission) and encourage them to share their own photos and videos.
The more you show your products on social media, the more your clients will expect to see them as part of your offering.
Don’t overwhelm your clients with too many choices. Offer a simple, curated selection of products that you love and believe in. Having a wide range of materials, colours, and print qualities might sound great to you, but having too many options can lead to decision fatigue and make it harder for clients to choose.
Focus on quality over quantity. Choose products that are well-made, look beautiful, and will stand the test of time.
Do not be afraid to ask for the sale. After you have shown your products, explained the options, and answered any questions, simply ask your client which products they would like to order. Be confident and clear.
Use questions that trigger their imagination, such as “Which of these frames can you see above your mantle for the next decade?”
If you need help or guidance on selling prints, join a supportive community of photographers. There are many groups and forums where you can ask questions, share experiences, and get advice from others who have been in your shoes.
The Forward Focus community is one such place where you can join for free, ask your questions, and get support from other photographers. There should be buttons all over our website to help you join. Being part of a community can boost your confidence and help you learn new skills.
Selling prints and physical products is a great way to increase your income and offer more value to your clients. It does take a bit more effort, but the rewards are worth it. Remember to set expectations early, display your work everywhere, use authentic testimonials, offer finance options, and guide your clients through the process.
Believe in the value of what you offer. Your clients are not just buying a print; they are buying memories, art, and a piece of their family’s story. With a bit of confidence and the right approach, you can successfully sell prints and grow your photography business.
If you need any help or guidance on this, please contact us or join the Forward Focus community. You can ask your questions there and get support from other photographers.
