Why is my photo file size so small?

The good news is that file size and image resolution aren't the same thing. A smaller file size doesn't necessarily mean you have received a low-resolution photograph.
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The MB (megabytes) of an image tells you how much storage space the file takes up.
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The pixel dimensions tell you how many pixels make up the actual image — for example, 3540 × 2360 pixels.
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JPEG photographs can be compressed to make the file smaller while retaining their pixel dimensions. This means an image could be less than 1 MB and still contain enough pixels to produce a good-quality photographic print.
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Likewise, simply increasing an image from 1 MB to 5 MB wouldn't automatically improve its quality or add more genuine detail to the photograph.
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When considering print quality, the pixel dimensions of your photograph are much more useful than looking at the file size alone.
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As an example, an image measuring approximately 3540 × 2360 pixels could typically be suitable for:

At around 12 × 8 inches, an image of this resolution provides close to 300 pixels per inch (PPI), which is generally considered an excellent resolution for photographic printing.
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Larger prints can also look very good because they're normally viewed from further away, although the available resolution becomes more important as the print size increases.
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Not necessarily.

A 5 MB photograph isn't automatically higher quality than a 600 KB photograph.

The final quality depends on several factors, including:

For example, photographs taken at indoor or low-light events may naturally contain more grain or noise than photographs taken in bright daylight, regardless of the size of the downloaded file.
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If you've received your Photohawk order through WhatsApp, you may notice that the downloaded file size appears smaller than you expected.
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Don't use the MB figure alone to decide whether your photograph is suitable for printing. Check the image's pixel dimensions instead.
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If you're unsure, our Support Team can help check the resolution of your photograph and advise on a suitable print size.
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Simply converting or saving a photograph so that its file size becomes larger doesn't add genuine image detail.
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For example, changing a 600 KB JPEG into a 5 MB file doesn't automatically make it a higher-resolution photograph.
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For this reason, if you're concerned about print quality, it's better to check the original pixel dimensions and intended print size rather than trying to increase the MB of the file.
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We're happy to help.
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Contact support@photohawk.com and let us know:

Our team can check the image information and advise whether the resolution is suitable for your intended print size.