How to Add Products and Variants to Your Packages

One of the most frequent questions from our beta users is: "How do I offer my clients extras like video, albums or frames?"

The answer lies in PhotoHeart's products with variants system. We'll explain how it works.

What are Variants?

Variants are different options of the same product. For example:

• Product: Print

  • Variant 1: 10x15cm - €5
  • Variant 2: 20x30cm - €15
  • Variant 3: 30x40cm - €25

• Product: Video

  • Variant 1: Short Video (2 min) - €50
  • Variant 2: Full Video (5 min) - €100

This allows the client to choose their preferred option directly from the gallery.

Step 1: Create the Product

Path: Settings → Packages and Products → New Product

1. Product name: "Session Video"
2. Description (optional): "Professionally edited video of your session"
3. Product image: Upload a representative image
4. Product availability:
   • Image products only: The product appears in the client's gallery linked to each image (e.g., prints)
   • Additional products only: Appears in the additional products section, NOT linked to images (e.g., video, album)
   • Both: The product can be used linked to images AND as an additional product

Step 2: Add Variants

On the same product creation screen:

Variant 1: Short Video

• Name: "Short Video (2 minutes)"
• Value: "2min"
• Price: €50

Variant 2: Full Video

• Name: "Full Video (5 minutes)"
• Value: "5min"
• Price: €100

Important: If your product has no variants (single price), simply create a single variant with the total price.

Step 3: Link Product to Package

Now that you have the product created, link it to your session package:

Path: Settings → Packages and Products → Edit Package

In the package products section:

1. Select the product "Session Video"
2. Mark the variants you want to offer
3. Define if it's an included product (the client can choose it for the marked price)
4. Save the package

Now, when you create a session with that package, the client will see the product available in their gallery.

Practical Example: Communion + Optional Video

Real case: You have a "Classic Communion" package and some clients want to add video.

Solution:

1. Create the product "Communion Video" with variants:

   • Short Video - €50
   • Full Video - €100

2. Link the product to the "Classic Communion" package

   • Type: "Additional products only"
   • This way it appears as an optional extra

3. Create the session linking client + "Classic Communion" package

4. The client sees in their gallery:

   • ✅ Photos from the package
   • ✅ "Additional products" section with the video available
   • ✅ Can choose whether they want it or not
   • ✅ Sees the updated price in real time

Product Types: Which to Choose?

Product Types in Packages

Included Products

These are products that the client can choose for the marked price of the package.

Example: "Premium Communion" package for €200 includes:

• 50 digital photos
• 1 Album 20x20 (the client can choose it)
• 1 Short video (the client can choose it)

The client can select these products as part of the package. They're already paid for.

Default Products

If you activate the "Include default products" option in the package:

What are they? Products included in the base price that the client CANNOT edit.

How do they appear? The client sees them as added but at zero price (free).

Practical example:

1. Your "Basic Wedding" package costs €500
2. You activate "Include default products"
3. You add: 1 Album 30x30 as default product
4. The client sees: "Album 30x30 included (€0)" - CANNOT remove or change it

Allow Higher Levels (Upgrades)

If you activate "Allow higher levels" in the package:

The products that can be linked are the default products at zero price.

What does it mean? The client can upgrade from a free included product to a superior version by paying the difference.

Practical example:

1. Package includes Album 20x20 by default (€0)
2. You activate "Allow higher levels"
3. You link Album 30x30 as upgrade (+€50)
4. The client sees:
   • Album 20x20 included (€0)
   • Upgrade option: Album 30x30 (+€50)

Common Mistakes

❌ Mistake 1: "I have to duplicate the package for each extra"

Solution: NO. Create separate products and link them to the same package.

❌ Mistake 2: "The client doesn't see the product in the gallery"

Check:

• Is the product linked to the package?
• Is the product type correct? (image/extra/both)
• Was the session created with that package?

❌ Mistake 3: "I want the client to receive an included album without being able to remove it"

Solution: Activate "Include default products" in the package and add the album as a default product. It will appear at zero price and the client CANNOT edit it.

Quick Summary

1. Create products with their variants (sizes, options)
2. Define availability: Image products only, additional products only, or both
3. Link them to packages of session
4. Included products: The client can choose them for the package price
5. Default products: Included at zero price, the client CANNOT edit them
6. Allow upgrades: The client can improve default products by paying difference

With this system, you can offer flexible options without duplicating packages or complicating your management.

Questions about how to configure your products? Contact us at support@photoheart.app