When you go to the Gap and buy a dress, it’s the same price whether you’re a size 2 or a size 14.  That dress has been designed, manufactured, inspected, shipped, and merchandised the same way for all sizes.  The difference in amount of fabric used is an inconsequential portion of the total cost of the final product, so it doesn’t factor into the consumer price.

If it did, you can be damn sure that I’d be squeezing into a size 10 instead of rocking the perfectly-fitting size 14 — I’m gonna spend as little as possible on this dress and my. hips. will. fit. in. there. to save $6.

Same thing for photographs — the taking, developing (or culling), scanning (or post-processing), blogging, posting online, order-making, packaging, and delivery costs are the same whether we’re talking a passport-sized photo or an 8×10″ print.

The difference in amount of paper used is an inconsequential portion of the total cost of the final product, so it doesn’t factor into the consumer price of small prints.

Charge one price for prints 8×12/8×10 and under.  If it’s a 4×6 print they need, great!  And if they’d rather have an 8×10 but are just shoving their hips into something smaller because it’s cheaper — they’ll be ever so much happier when they can get the print size that fits.

For more about pricing, or for the secrets of pricing larger prints (think the need for a size 38 when Gap stops at 14 — or a 20×30″ canvas print) — you all know I recommend buying Easy as Pie.  In fact, this is a riff on a theme you’ll find there.  And if you don’t yet have it, code BrandCamp50 takes $50 off the price of the Easy as Pie and Pastry School combo TODAY ONLY.  Pick up your copy here.

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Oh, and the winners from the Birthday Bash?

90-minute business therapy session (super-secret giveaway for the mailing-list peeps): Speed of Life Photography

Totally Rad Lightroom presets: Creative Clicks Photography

Easy as Pie + Pastry School combo: You Look Nice Today photography

Get Schooled guide to school portraiture: Asher Images