Are you struggling with how to price your digital files as a photographer?

Are you trying to balance offering digital files and printed heirloom products for your clients?

In today’s digital-first world, you must adapt to the growing demand for digital files. Yes, you know that most clients will be well-served with heirloom printed products to enjoy in their homes, but they still start by asking about digital files. So, how do you answer?

Why you should be offering digital files to your clients

There are plenty of good reasons why a client may want digital files.

• Backdrops or screen savers on phones or other devices
• Sharing on social media
• Digital frames and TVs
• Personal archives and backups
• Custom (or quirky) products and print orders (i.e. tote bags, pillows, etc.)
• Convenience and accessibility

Digital images are a part of our lives, so you shouldn’t gatekeep them from your clients. Instead, consider offering them as an upgrade or purchase or including them when your clients order printed products. That way, you’ll have the best of both worlds!

4 pricing models for your digital files as a photographer

There are 4 pricing models for how to price your digital files as a photographer. They are:

1. Single digital files
2. Bulk digital files
3. Included in packages
4. Included with specific products

Here’s a quick walkthrough of each and an answer to the question, “Do you sell digital files?”

Selling single digital files

Single digital files are sold individually, perfect for clients who want just a few select images. This model is ideal for clients who may want to purchase a couple of standout photos from their session. When asked, you can say, “Each digital file is priced at $X, giving you the flexibility to choose exactly which images you want.”

Selling bulk digital files

Bulk digital files offer clients a discounted rate when purchasing multiple images at once. This is a great option for clients who want a broader collection of their photos. When clients ask, you can explain, “You can buy 10 digital files for $X or get all the images from your session for $Y, offering you the best value.”

Selling digital files as a part of a package

Including digital files in your packages means they come as part of the overall service. This approach is suitable for creating comprehensive offerings that cover all client needs. When queried, you can state, “Digital files are included in our premium packages, which start at $X, ensuring you get everything you need in one package.”

Including digital files with specific products

Offering digital files with specific products, such as prints over a certain size or albums, provides added value and encourages product purchases. This method works well for upselling and enhancing the client experience. When asked, you can reply, “When you purchase an album or a print collection starting at $X, you’ll receive the corresponding digital files at no additional cost.”

How to calculate your digital file prices

Whenever you think about how you want to price anything in your photography business, it’s important that you consider your market, clientele, and costs (or opportunity cost in the case of digital files).

Specifically, when it comes to pricing your digital files, consider the following:

• Cost of goods sold (COGS): Even if digital files don't have direct costs like prints, factor in your editing time, software costs, and digital storage.
• Market rate: Research what other photographers in your niche charge for similar offerings.
• Value perception: Price digital files in a way that reflects their value and encourages print sales, possibly pricing them higher than smaller print products to promote physical purchases.
• Opportunity cost: When you sell a digital file by itself, the chance of you also selling a print of that image decreases, so selling the digital file has an opportunity cost associated with it.

How to implement your digital file pricing strategy

Once you’ve defined your pricing strategy for digital files, implementing it efficiently is important.

Sprout Studio is a great way to do that because it helps you be organized, efficient, consistent and professional throughout your entire client experience.

Here are the 5 steps to follow to set up a successful digital file sales system in Sprout Studio:

1. Setup your price list
2. Choose how your clients can pay you (Sprout integrates with Stripe, Square, PayPal)
3. Upload and send your client their Gallery
4. Turn on automatic watermarks on your Gallery
5. Let your clients purchase digital files and automatically download them watermark-free

Of course, the best part about Sprout Studio being an all-in-one system is that it also has tools like email marketing built in. You can create email marketing campaigns within Sprout to promote special offers on digital files or to educate clients about the value of combined digital and print purchases.

If you’re not familiar with Sprout Studio, it’s an all-in-one system for photographers which gives you all the tools you need to run your business in one place:

• CRM - Get organized, save time and deliver a remarkable experience.
• Invoicing - Simplify and automate how your clients pay you.
• Contracts - Easily sign legal contracts with your clients with ease.
• Bookings - Book your clients while you sleep and even allow them to self-book sessions!
• Scheduling - Schedule meetings and sessions without the back-and-forth.
• Questionnaires - Ask your clients questions, get feedback, be better prepared
• Galleries - Beautifully show, share and sell your photos with clients.
• Email marketing - Design stunning emails and effortlessly create email campaigns.
• Album proofing - Get feedback and collaborate with clients on album designs.
• AI - The power of AI built into Sprout - write emails, create questionnaires and more!
• Reports and analytics - Learn more about your business health and analyze your growth.

Watch a free demo here and learn more here.

You may also be interested in reading our article about the top 6 CRM features every photographer needs or the 5 mistakes photographers make when choosing or switching their CRM.

Sprout Studio has a free 14-day trial to help you determine whether Sprout is a good fit for you.

Luckily - getting set up in Sprout is easy. We even have an article about how to set up and transition to Sprout Studio as your photography CRM.

You see, navigating the pricing of digital files doesn’t have to be daunting.

By understanding your market, aligning pricing strategies with client expectations, and utilizing Sprout Studio's robust features, you can create a profitable and sustainable approach to selling digital files.

The post How to price your digital files as a wedding and portrait photographer appeared first on Sprout Studio.

In episode 489 of the Business of Photography Podcast, Bryan looks into the challenges photographers face in an era of digital ubiquity and share seven essential rules to photographers apart. He also explores how photographers can master the "you" factor and the "photography" factor to showcase their uniqueness.

You’ll learn about:

• The changing landscape of the photography business
• 7 rules you need to follow to stand out as a photographer
• How to craft your unique identity
• The importance of creating remarkable work

Links and resources:

• Seeds to Success
• Sprout Studio on Instagram
• The Sprout Studio Community on Facebook
• Full article on GetSproutStudio.com

This podcast is sponsored by Sprout Studio, the first all-in-one business software made by photographers for photographers. Sprout Studio combines studio management software with online galleries, wall portrait sales tools, design proofing, bookkeeping and more!

Start your free 14-day trial of Sprout Studio today and simplify your photography business, get more done, faster, and give your clients a great experience!

Join the Sprout Studio community on Facebook to continue the discussions between episodes.

The post How to be magnetic to new clients and stand out as a photographer appeared first on Sprout Studio.

In episode 488 of the Business of Photography Podcast, Bryan guides you through the nuts and bolts of building and launching a successful promotion.

You’ll learn:

• How to build a meaningful, timely promotion
• How to choose the right market
• How to select and use the appropriate communication channel
• How to develop monetization strategies that speak to your audience
• How to plan and execute your promotion using Sprout Studio

Links and resources:

• Seeds to Success
• Sprout Studio on Instagram
• The Sprout Studio Community on Facebook
• Full article on GetSproutStudio.com

This podcast is sponsored by Sprout Studio, the first all-in-one business software made by photographers for photographers. Sprout Studio combines studio management software with online galleries, wall portrait sales tools, design proofing, bookkeeping and more!

Start your free 14-day trial of Sprout Studio today and simplify your photography business, get more done, faster, and give your clients a great experience!

Join the Sprout Studio community on Facebook to continue the discussions between episodes.

The post The 6 phases of a massively successful campaign launch appeared first on Sprout Studio.

In episode 487 of the Business of Photography Podcast, you'll dive into mastering the art of promoting your photography and proactive campaign planning. Bryan introduces the Proactive Promotions framework, which consists of six essential steps to help photographers master the art of promoting their photography and create effective marketing campaigns.

You’ll learn:

• How to define your goals and target audience
• How to research and understand your market
• How to plan your marketing calendar
• How to implement engaging marketing strategies
• How to track and analyze your results
• How to refine and adapt your strategy

Links and resources:

• Seeds to Success
• Sprout Studio on Instagram
• The Sprout Studio Community on Facebook
• Full article on GetSproutStudio.com

This podcast is sponsored by Sprout Studio, the first all-in-one business software made by photographers for photographers. Sprout Studio combines studio management software with online galleries, wall portrait sales tools, design proofing, bookkeeping and more!

Start your free 14-day trial of Sprout Studio today and simplify your photography business, get more done, faster, and give your clients a great experience!

Join the Sprout Studio community on Facebook to continue the discussions between episodes.

The post Mastering the art of promoting your photography and proactive campaign planning appeared first on Sprout Studio.

In episode 486 of the Business of Photography Podcast, we'll uncover how to confidently build a successful photography business using data. Join host Bryan Caporicci, as he discusses the three key performance indicators that every photographer should track, along with valuable insights on how to optimize your business strategies for long-term success. Tune in to gain the clarity and actionable insights you need to take your photography business to new heights.

You’ll learn:

• The importance of tracking key performance indicators (KPIs)
• How to focus on the metrics that actually matter and avoid tracking unnecessary numbers
• The benefits of using tools like Google Analytics and CRM for tracking and analyzing data
• How to make informed business decisions based on historical data and insights gained from metrics

Links and resources:

• Seeds to Success
• Sprout Studio on Instagram
• The Sprout Studio Community on Facebook
• Full article on GetSproutStudio.com

This podcast is sponsored by Sprout Studio, the first all-in-one business software made by photographers for photographers. Sprout Studio combines studio management software with online galleries, wall portrait sales tools, design proofing, bookkeeping and more!

Start your free 14-day trial of Sprout Studio today and simplify your photography business, get more done, faster, and give your clients a great experience!

Join the Sprout Studio community on Facebook to continue the discussions between episodes.

The post How to Build a Thriving Photography Business With The Power of Data-Driven Insights appeared first on Sprout Studio.

In episode 485 of the Business of Photography Podcast, you’ll learn how to map out a series of personalized and timely follow-up actions, photographers can ensure consistent communication with potential clients, increasing the chances of conversion and minimizing missed opportunities. Mapping out the client journey is crucial for photographers to manage inquiries effectively.

You’ll learn:

• The 6 reasons clients ghost you
• 6 best practices for effective inquiry follow-ups
• The art of the follow-up
• Mastering the 5 types of follow-ups for booking more clients
• How to supercharge your workflow with Sprout Studio and automate your follow-up sequence

Links and resources:

• Seeds to Success
• Sprout Studio on Instagram
• The Sprout Studio Community on Facebook
• Full article on GetSproutStudio.com

This podcast is sponsored by Sprout Studio, the first all-in-one business software made by photographers for photographers. Sprout Studio combines studio management software with online galleries, wall portrait sales tools, design proofing, bookkeeping and more!

Start your free 14-day trial of Sprout Studio today and simplify your photography business, get more done, faster, and give your clients a great experience!

Join the Sprout Studio community on Facebook to continue the discussions between episodes.

The post No more ghosting – how to follow-up inquiries in your photography business appeared first on Sprout Studio.

In episode 484 of the Business of Photography Podcast, Bryan delves into unlocking the power of email templates, streamlining your client communication, and saving valuable time. Being a successful photographer is 80% business and 20% photography, so streamlining processes is essential for photographers to save time and focus on their passion for photography. 

You’ll learn:

• 5 risks in manually composing emails from scratch each time
• 4 rules to email that enhance client satisfaction and trust
• How to write templates using the 3 C's framework

Links and resources:

• Seeds to Success
• Sprout Studio on Instagram
• The Sprout Studio Community on Facebook
• Full article on GetSproutStudio.com

This podcast is sponsored by Sprout Studio, the first all-in-one business software made by photographers for photographers. Sprout Studio combines studio management software with online galleries, wall portrait sales tools, design proofing, bookkeeping and more!

Start your free 14-day trial of Sprout Studio today and simplify your photography business, get more done, faster, and give your clients a great experience!

Join the Sprout Studio community on Facebook to continue the discussions between episodes.

The post A photographer’s secret weapon – unlock the power of email templates appeared first on Sprout Studio.

In episode 483 of the Business of Photography Podcast, you’ll learn how to automate certain aspects of your photography business to alleviate the constant struggle between creativity and business. By embracing automation, you can reclaim time and mental energy, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in your artistic pursuits and rediscover the passion that initially drove you to become a photographer.

You’ll learn:

• The Momentum Method
• The 4 benefits of automating your photography business
• 14 things you can automate in your photography business TODAY!

Links and resources:

• Seeds to Success
• Sprout Studio on Instagram
• The Sprout Studio Community on Facebook
• Full article on GetSproutStudio.com

This podcast is sponsored by Sprout Studio, the first all-in-one business software made by photographers for photographers. Sprout Studio combines studio management software with online galleries, wall portrait sales tools, design proofing, bookkeeping and more!

Start your free 14-day trial of Sprout Studio today and simplify your photography business, get more done, faster, and give your clients a great experience!

Join the Sprout Studio community on Facebook to continue the discussions between episodes.

The post Photography Business on Autopilot: 14 Immediate Steps to Embrace Automation appeared first on Sprout Studio.

In episode 482 of the Business of Photography Podcast, you’ll learn how to start creating a strong financial strategy. With the right strategies in place, you can ensure that your business is well-positioned to succeed and thrive even during these trying times.

You’ll learn:

• Why unlocking a steady stream of cash flow is vital for photographers
• The hidden value of existing clients vs. new clients
• 5 golden rules for captivating clients with promotional messages
• 6 rapid revenue generation strategies for immediate cash flow

Links and resources:

• Seeds to Success
• Sprout Studio on Instagram
• The Sprout Studio Community on Facebook
• Full article on GetSproutStudio.com

This podcast is sponsored by Sprout Studio, the first all-in-one business software made by photographers for photographers. Sprout Studio combines studio management software with online galleries, wall portrait sales tools, design proofing, bookkeeping and more!

Start your free 14-day trial of Sprout Studio today and simplify your photography business, get more done, faster, and give your clients a great experience!

Join the Sprout Studio community on Facebook to continue the discussions between episodes.

The post Make Fast Cash as a Photographer with These 6 Easy Strategies appeared first on Sprout Studio.

In episode 481 of the Business of Photography Podcast, you’ll learn how to get feedback from your clients to improve your photography business. Bryan provides practical insights and strategies to level your business up, built on the foundation of client feedback.

You’ll learn:

• The 4 reasons why asking for feedback is so important
• The best 3 ways to ask for feedback
• 6 ways you can set yourself (and your clients) up for success with constructive and celebratory feedback
• A framework (with 6 example questions) for asking specific and open-ended questions

Links and resources:

• Seeds to Success
• Sprout Studio on Instagram
• The Sprout Studio Community on Facebook

This podcast is sponsored by Sprout Studio, the first all-in-one business software made by photographers for photographers. Sprout Studio combines studio management software with online galleries, wall portrait sales tools, design proofing, bookkeeping and more!

Start your free 14-day trial of Sprout Studio today and simplify your photography business, get more done, faster, and give your clients a great experience!

Join the Sprout Studio community on Facebook to continue the discussions between episodes.

The post Unlock the secrets to happy clients: The power of asking for feedback appeared first on Sprout Studio.

Episode 480 of the Business of Photography Podcast, powered by Sprout Studio. Helping you build a thriving business doing what you love.

Links and resources:

• Megan DiPiero Education
• Level Up
• She Sells book on Amazon
• She Sells gift
• BOPCon Live
• Sprout Studio on Instagram
• The Sprout Studio Community on Facebook

This podcast is sponsored by Sprout Studio, the first all-in-one business software made by photographers for photographers. Sprout Studio combines studio management software with online galleries, wall portrait sales tools, design proofing, bookkeeping and more!

Start your free 21-day trial of Sprout Studio today and simplify your photography business, get more done, faster, and give your clients a great experience!

Join the Business of Photography community on Facebook to continue the discussions between episodes.

The post Photographers who look at AI this way will fail – how to avoid the pitfalls appeared first on Sprout Studio.