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Add-Ons

Quick Reference​

Add-ons are optional extras that clients can add to their base package. They're how you offer flexibility and increase your average booking value!

What is an Add-On?

  • Optional service or product beyond the base package
  • Clients can add zero, one, or multiple add-ons
  • Examples: extra hours, second shooter, albums, prints, engagement sessions

Add-On vs Package:

  • Package = Foundation (client picks one)
  • Add-On = Optional extra (client picks as many as they want)

Common Add-Ons:

  • +1 hour of coverage
  • Second photographer
  • Photo album
  • Engagement/rehearsal session
  • Rush editing/delivery
  • Travel fee
  • Print packages
  • Drone photography

Pro Tip: Keep add-ons simple and clearly priced. The easier you make it to say "yes" to extras, the more you'll sell!

Next Steps: Create your packages or learn pricing strategies.

Detailed Guide​

Understanding Add-Ons​

Think of your packages as the main course and add-ons as sides and desserts. The package gets you fed, but add-ons make the experience complete!

Why add-ons work:

For You:

  • Increase average booking value (package + add-ons = more revenue)
  • Offer flexibility without creating 20 different packages
  • Make upselling easy and natural
  • Capture clients with different needs and budgets

For Clients:

  • Customize their experience without starting from scratch
  • Only pay for what they actually want
  • Add extras gradually (at booking, before session, even after!)
  • Feel in control of their investment

Real-world example:

Sarah books your "Signature Wedding Package" at $4,000. During the planning process, she adds:

  • +2 hours of coverage: $400
  • Second photographer: $800
  • Wedding album: $600
  • Rush editing (delivery in 4 weeks): $300
  • Total booking: $6,100 (52% increase from add-ons!)

Without add-ons, you would've only made $4,000. By offering strategic extras, you increased revenue by over $2,000 with relatively little additional effort.

Types of Add-Ons​

Different add-ons serve different purposes. Let's explore the main categories:

1. Time-Based Add-Ons​

Extra coverage time beyond the base package.

Examples:

  • "+1 hour of coverage" - $200
  • "+2 hours of coverage" - $350
  • "Extra hour (early morning prep)" - $250

When clients add these:

  • Ceremony runs longer than expected
  • They want coverage of morning preparations
  • Reception goes late and they want dancing photos
  • Multi-location weddings (church + reception venue)

Pricing tip: Make the hourly add-on rate slightly higher than your effective hourly rate in packages. If your 8-hour package is $3,200 ($400/hour), charge $450-500 for add-on hours. Why? Because add-on hours are often at inconvenient times (very early, very late) and disrupt your workflow.

2. Second Photographer Add-Ons​

Additional photographer for broader coverage.

Examples:

  • "Second photographer (full day)" - $800
  • "Second photographer (4 hours)" - $400
  • "Assistant photographer" - $300

When clients add this:

  • Large weddings (want to capture bride + groom simultaneously)
  • Multi-location events
  • Wanting more candid guest moments
  • Peace of mind (backup if main photographer has emergency)

Pricing tip: Charge more than you pay your second shooter. If you pay them $400, charge clients $600-800. You're managing them, coordinating coverage, and backing up their images - that's worth something!

Professional Benefit

Second shooters help you capture moments you'd miss alone (groom getting ready while bride is in makeup, ceremony reactions from two angles). They're often worth the investment even if clients don't request them!

3. Physical Product Add-Ons​

Albums, prints, canvases, and other tangible items.

Examples:

  • "10x10 wedding album (30 spreads)" - $600
  • "Parent album set (2 copies)" - $400
  • "16x20 canvas print" - $150
  • "Print package (10 5x7s + 5 8x10s)" - $200

When clients add these:

  • After seeing their gallery (easiest time to sell!)
  • As gifts for parents/grandparents
  • For home decor (canvas/wall art)
  • To preserve memories physically (albums)

Pricing tip: Albums have huge perceived value. A $600 album costs you $150-250 to produce through a lab like Miller's or WHCC. That's 60-75% profit margin! Don't undervalue physical products.

4. Additional Session Add-Ons​

Extra photo sessions beyond the main job.

Examples:

  • "Engagement session" - $400
  • "Bridal session" - $350
  • "Day-after session" - $500
  • "Rehearsal dinner coverage" - $400

When clients add these:

  • Weddings: Want engagement photos for save-the-dates
  • Weddings: Want "trash the dress" or destination day-after shoot
  • Maternity: Want newborn session as add-on
  • Families: Want fall + holiday sessions

Pricing tip: Price these slightly below what you'd charge for a standalone session. It rewards clients for booking more with you and increases your total revenue per client.

Special note on session-creating add-ons: In ShootPath, some add-ons can automatically create a session record when a quote is accepted. For example, "Engagement Session" can be configured to create an Engagement session tied to the wedding job. This helps with scheduling and workflow tracking!

5. Rush Services Add-Ons​

Faster turnaround than your standard delivery timeline.

Examples:

  • "Rush editing - 2 week delivery" - $400
  • "Sneak peek - 5 photos within 24 hours" - $100
  • "Same-day preview (10 photos)" - $200

When clients add these:

  • Need photos urgently (for announcements, work deadlines)
  • Impatient and willing to pay for speed
  • Want social media content immediately

Pricing tip: Rush fees should meaningfully compensate you for dropping other work to prioritize their edits. 20-50% of the package price is reasonable for cutting your delivery time in half.

Manage Expectations

Be clear about what "rush" means. If you promise 48-hour delivery and miss it, you've created a very unhappy client. Only offer rush services if you can reliably deliver!

6. Travel Add-Ons​

Fees for traveling beyond your normal service area.

Examples:

  • "Travel fee (50-100 miles)" - $150
  • "Destination wedding travel package" - $2,000
  • "Mileage fee (per mile over 50 miles)" - $1/mile

When clients add these:

  • Events outside your city/region
  • Destination weddings
  • Remote location shoots

Pricing tip: Cover your actual costs (gas, tolls, wear-and-tear) PLUS time spent traveling. A 3-hour drive is 6 hours round-trip - that's a full workday! Don't undercharge for travel.

7. Specialized Equipment Add-Ons​

Services requiring special equipment or expertise.

Examples:

  • "Drone photography (aerial shots)" - $400
  • "Photo booth rental (3 hours)" - $500
  • "On-site printing station" - $350
  • "Professional videography" - $1,500

When clients add these:

  • Want unique perspectives (drone)
  • Entertainment for guests (photo booth)
  • Instant gratification (on-site printing)
  • Full coverage including video

Pricing tip: If you're subcontracting (hiring a drone operator, renting a photo booth), charge 30-50% more than your cost to cover coordination and risk.

8. Crew Add-Ons​

Additional team members for larger productions.

Examples:

  • "Assistant/lighting tech" - $300
  • "Videographer" - $1,500
  • "Makeup artist on-site" - $200

When clients add these:

  • Complex lighting setups
  • Large corporate events
  • All-in-one service convenience

Pricing tip: Same as second shooter - charge more than you pay. You're managing vendors, coordinating timing, and ensuring quality. That's worth 25-50% on top of their fee.

Creating Effective Add-Ons​

Not all add-ons sell well. Here's how to create ones that clients actually want:

1. Solve Real Problems​

Good add-on:

"+1 hour of coverage" - solves the problem of running over time

Bad add-on:

"Instagram-ready filter pack" - solving a problem that doesn't exist (you already edit their photos!)

Ask yourself: "What do clients frequently request that's not in the base package?" That's your add-on.

2. Price Clearly and Simply​

Good pricing:

"Second photographer (full day): $800"

Bad pricing:

"Second photographer: $150/hour + $200 setup fee + 50% of package price, whichever is higher"

Complicated pricing kills sales. Keep it simple!

3. Make Them Easy to Understand​

Good description:

"Wedding album (10x10 hardcover, 30 spreads/60 pages). Your favorite 60 images beautifully designed in a premium album. Perfect for your coffee table or to pass down through generations!"

Bad description:

"Album (various sizes)"

Sell the value, not just the item!

In ShootPath settings, organize add-ons logically:

  • Coverage Extensions: +1 hour, +2 hours, +4 hours
  • Additional Photographers: Second shooter, assistant
  • Physical Products: Albums, prints, canvases
  • Extra Sessions: Engagement, bridal, day-after

This makes it easier for clients (and you!) to find and select add-ons.

5. Use "Applicable Job Types"​

In ShootPath, add-ons can be restricted to specific job types:

  • "Second Shooter" → Applicable to: Wedding, Event
  • "Maternity Session" → Applicable to: Newborn (as an add-on before baby arrives)
  • "Property Twilight Shots" → Applicable to: Real Estate

This keeps your quote builder clean and prevents nonsensical combinations (like offering wedding albums to headshot clients).

Add-On Pricing Strategy​

How much should you charge for add-ons?

Pricing Formula: Cost + Value + Profit​

Cost: Your actual cost (time, materials, subcontractors) Value: What it's worth to the client Profit: Your margin

Example: Wedding Album Add-On

Your cost:

  • Album from lab: $200
  • Design time (3 hours): $150 (at $50/hour)
  • Shipping: $20
  • Total cost: $370

Client value:

  • Heirloom product they'll keep forever
  • No work on their part (you design it)
  • Professional quality vs DIY
  • Perceived value: $800-1,200

Your price: $600-800

  • Above your cost: ✓
  • Below perceived value: ✓
  • Healthy profit margin: ✓

Bundling Add-Ons for Discounts​

Consider offering bundles:

Individual add-ons:

  • Second shooter: $800
  • Wedding album: $600
  • +2 hours coverage: $400
  • Total: $1,800

"Premium Upgrade Bundle" add-on:

  • All three included: $1,500 (saves $300!)

Bundles increase perceived value and make it easier for clients to say yes to multiple add-ons at once.

Common Add-On Mistakes​

Mistake 1: Too Many Add-Ons

If you have 30 add-ons, clients get overwhelmed. Stick to 5-10 core add-ons that clients actually want.

Mistake 2: Underpricing Add-Ons

"+1 hour of coverage: $50" - you just devalued your time! If your package rate is $400/hour, your add-on hour should be $400-500.

Mistake 3: Making Package Items into Add-Ons

If 95% of clients want digital files, don't make it an add-on! Include it in all packages. Add-ons should be for extras, not essentials.

Mistake 4: Vague Descriptions

"Extra coverage" - extra coverage of what? How long? Be specific: "+1 hour of additional photography coverage"

Mistake 5: Not Updating Regularly

As your business evolves, so should your add-ons. Review them quarterly and retire unpopular ones or add new services you're offering.

When to Present Add-Ons​

At Quote Stage:

List relevant add-ons on the quote so clients can see their options upfront. In ShootPath, add-ons appear below the package selection, making them easy to add.

During Planning:

As the event approaches, suggest add-ons that make sense:

  • "I noticed your ceremony is across town from the reception - would you like +1 hour for travel time?"
  • "Have you thought about an engagement session? Your date in April would be perfect for spring photos!"

After the Event (Before Editing):

Great time to upsell:

  • "Would you like rush editing? I can have your photos ready in 2 weeks instead of 8 for an extra $400."

After Delivery:

Easiest time to sell physical products:

  • "Now that you've seen your gallery, would you like to order an album or canvas prints?"
Post-Delivery Sales

About 30% of your album sales will happen AFTER clients see their photos. Don't pressure them to buy before - let them fall in love with their images first!

Add-On Best Practices​

1. Show Value, Not Just Price

Instead of: "Album - $600" Say: "10x10 wedding album (60 pages) - Relive your day in a beautiful heirloom album designed by a professional. $600"

2. Use Social Proof

Instead of: "Second photographer available" Say: "Most of my couples add a second shooter for full coverage! Second photographer - $800"

3. Create Urgency (When Appropriate)

For seasonal offerings:

"Fall mini sessions with foliage - only available September-October! Add-on session: $300"

4. Make Add-On Benefits Clear

Instead of: "+2 hours coverage: $400" Say: "+2 hours of coverage: $400 - Perfect for extending coverage through your grand sparkler exit or capturing all the toasts and speeches!"

5. Suggest, Don't Pressure

Good approach:

"Some couples like to add an engagement session - it's a great warm-up before the big day and perfect for save-the-dates! I'll include that as an option on your quote."

Bad approach:

"You NEED to add a second shooter or you'll miss important moments!"

Managing Add-Ons in ShootPath​

Creating an add-on:

  1. Go to Settings → Packages & Add-Ons
  2. Click "+ New Add-On"
  3. Fill in name, price, description
  4. Select applicable job types
  5. Save!

Special features:

Creates Session: Some add-ons automatically create session records. For example, an "Engagement Session" add-on for weddings can create an Engagement session in the job timeline when the quote is accepted. This helps with scheduling and workflow!

Additional Photographers: Add-ons can specify crew requirements. If you add "Second Shooter," ShootPath knows an additional photographer is needed and helps with team scheduling.

Add-On Checklist​

Before launching add-ons to clients:

  • Created 5-10 core add-ons (not 30!)
  • Priced to cover costs + healthy profit
  • Clear, benefit-focused descriptions
  • Applicable job types set correctly
  • Organized logically (grouped by type)
  • Tested on a sample quote (looks good?)
  • Easy for clients to understand value

What's Next?​

Now you understand how to use add-ons to increase revenue and offer flexibility!

Ready to create add-ons? Go to Settings → Packages & Add-Ons in ShootPath

Need to create packages first? Follow the package guide

Want to optimize pricing? Read Pricing Strategies

Ready to send quotes? Check out Sending a Quote

Questions? Look for the help links throughout ShootPath, or reach out to support if you need help!