Canon Menu Setting That Can Make You Money
As a working photographer who’s been in the industry over 20 years, I’m always looking for small adjustments that can make a big impact, especially when it comes to increasing my income. Living as a creative can be hard, so anything you can do to make life easier is always a plus. Years ago I discovered a super simple Canon camera hack that actually helped me sell more photo edits and/or prints, and I’m sure it could do the same for you.
Here’s the trick: I started using custom Picture Styles in my Canon camera to enhance the look of my in-camera previews. That means when clients look at the back of the camera during a shoot, they’re seeing vibrant, polished-ish images that feels closer to the final product. It gets them excited. And when clients are hyped about what they see, they’re far more likely to purchase extra edits or order prints.
This strategy works with most Canon mirrorless cameras and DSLR models. You don’t need to buy any new gear or software. Just adjust your Picture Style settings, and you’re good to go.
Remember, people buy based on emotion, especially during a photo session. If you’re looking at the images you’re capturing and don’t seem happy, your clients will pick up on that energy and mirror you. They’ll start to second-guess the experience, even if the photos are technically fine. But if you’re genuinely excited about your shots and showing them vibrant, eye-catching previews on the back of your camera, that enthusiasm becomes contagious. When clients feel good about the session, they’re far more likely to purchase extra edits or prints, and just as importantly, they walk away with a positive, memorable experience. That kind of emotional connection is what turns first-time clients into repeat customers.
🎯 Pro Tip:
Ultimately, your goal as a freelance photographer should be to build a reliable client base of 30 to 40 clients who book you 3 to 4 times a year. That’s the real key to long-term success and sustainability in this industry.
If this approach helps you sell even three more edits per shoot, that could mean hundreds or even thousands in extra income over the course of a year. It’s a quick, free tweak that can really pay off.
⭐ Let’s say you shoot 1 shoot a week, that is 52 shoots a year and you manage to sell 3 extra edits on average per shoot. Now let’s say you’re just starting out and you’re only charging $20 for every extra edit. That’s $60 extra per shoot times 52 shoots a year. That increases your sales by $3120 at the end of the year.
Want to try it? Next time you're on a shoot, set a custom Picture Style in-camera and let your client peek. You might be surprised by what happens.
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