Are You Making Money Selling Wall Frames?

Are You Making Money Selling Wall Frames? - Mastin Labs

Have you started making money by selling wall frames yet? Sustainable photography studios need to sell products, there’s no doubt about that. Photographers are always searching for the next best thing, but what really matters the most is the needs of our clients. What do most clients usually want? The answer is: quality keepsakes to enjoy and proudly share with family and friends.

In this three part series, we are breaking down our favorite studio products that are sure to inspire your clients and give you the extra cha-ching you need to thrive. We’ll also cover key factors in determining which products are right for you: WOW factor, brand consistency, price point, appeal, client satisfaction and markup potential.

Make Passive Income as a Photographer With Framed Wall Portraits

Let’s talk about framed wall portraits. Selling wall frames is one of the best (and easiest) ways to up your sales and increase your passive income! If you’re only offering loose prints, you’re leaving money on the table. We don’t want that, and you don’t want that. More importantly, your clients don’t want that. 

Let’s face it, they have no idea what to do with individual prints and look to you—the professional—to guide them. Offering a finished product like beautifully framed art galleries provides the one thing that everyone wants these days: Instant gratification. It’s a daily reminder of what they love most (and of your talent). 

What’s the best way to offer wall frames to your clients? There are several websites and services out there that photographers can use, so it really depends on your preference! Some popular options include Design Aglow and Pic-Time

A living room area with wall frames displayed

Product: Framed Wall Galleries

The Client Appeal of Wall Frames

Clients love framed wall galleries for newborns, babies, kids, families, engagements, weddings, and pets. They serve a dual purpose of displaying memories and decorating their walls with beautiful art. What’s not to love? 

Selling Wall Frames for Brand Consistency

For documentary and lifestyle photographers, framed wall galleries are the ideal presentation. Tell your clients’ stories with 3-10 images by creating original displays that feel personal and artistic, two qualities that are essential to your brand.

A wall that displays a framed photo gallery

The WOW Factor of Wall Frames 

Who doesn’t want to look at beautiful images of the ones they love most every day? Parents will be thrilled to show off your work, celebrating the love of their families. Ready-to-hang framed prints provide instant gratification and you can count on referrals from your clients’ friends who will also see your artful displays.

Pro Tip: Include 25 complimentary, flat 5×7 holiday cards with a favorite portrait from a wall display. This will help incentivize clients AND get your work and name out to 25 new prospects. It’s a win/win!

customized holiday cards

The Markup Potential of Wall Frames

If we could answer the question of markup potential for wall frames in one word, it would be: HUGE. Prints should be an investment in art, not merely something printed on paper. 

But how much should you mark up your wall frames as a photographer? Frames should be marked up at least 200-500% to justify your time and service. Sign your work and provide a certificate of authenticity for added value.

Pro Tip: Make your Gift Prints (8x10s and under) all one price, to encourage larger size portrait sales.

An example of a photography book keepsake

Client Satisfaction and Wall Frames 

Once clients begin collecting wall art, they can’t stop! Provide frame services and they will come back year after year to add to their collections. Clients love buying when it’s easy and fun, so have resources that pave the way for those high-level sales. For example, you could use the following:

  1. Inspire Guide – Wall Displays to allow clients to choose layouts quickly and painlessly, plus you can be assured will look great.
  2. The Show & Sell Frame Kit includes real samples to fall in love with plus a marketing suite of templates to kick-start your frame sales.
a screen shot showing the frame purchase options on Pic-time

Increasing Your Passive Income Potential with Pic-Time

If you could increase your passive income by using a simple and easy automated tool, why wouldn’t you? Pic-Time is gaining traction in the photography community, and this is one of the reasons why. 

Pic-Time is a platform that allows you to create gorgeous galleries that are easy for clients to navigate. They offer a storefront that’s partnered with professional imaging companies worldwide. They also have built-in marketing campaigns and automations. Pic-Time makes it so easy to set your clients up with customized products (like frames, cards, albums, prints, and more) they’ll cherish for a long time. 

These are the steps you’ll need to take to get your storefront ready:

  • Step 1: Join Pic-Time.
  • Step 2: Set up your galleries.
  • Step 3: Create your email automations.
  • Step 4: Add in your payment details.
  • Step 5: Promote traffic to your Pic-Time and start getting paid.

Pic-Time’s built-in marketing automations make it easy to engage your clients around specific dates like holidays, anniversaries, or whenever you feel like extending a discount. Joining Pic-Time is a great opportunity for you to start making more money from your work with minimal effort. That means you can spend less time worrying about making passive income and more time doing the creative work you actually love.

a screen shot displaying the different items you can sell on Pic-time such as frames, books, and albums

Start Selling Wall Frames Now

If you haven’t started selling wall frames yet, don’t wait any longer! It’s a great way to increase your passive income and support your business. Plus, your clients will love the options you offer for them to enjoy in their day-to-day lives. 


Want to learn more ways you can boost your income and build a sustainable photography business? Read our best tips for selling wedding albums.