School Photography Essentials

Bonus Materials Included (ready to download):

Sample School Contract Ready to Use (Just drop in your company information)

Photographer Training Manual (Includes a quiz to check for competency)

Equipment Checklist

Senior Portrait Sign-up Sheets

Data Request Form

Progress Checklist (Use to keep you on track for each individual shoot)

What you will be learning:

Introduction

We will start with the positive reviews received using the systems and processes taught in this course. We will be discussing the major reasons other school photography companies blunder and the opportunity that provides to acquire those accounts.

Business Requirements

This module will discuss School Photography Business. This includes the business requirements such as organizational structure(s), permits, and tax ID’s. Also, banking and insurance issues together with photography agreements.

Equipment Requirements

We will take a close look at the equipment necessary to complete an on-location picture station. Everything from the camera to the backdrop used in this course will be described in detail Additionally, an equipment checklist is included with this module to keep you and your photographers on track. Feel free to modify or customize as necessary.

Software Requirements

Having the proper software is key to running a successful school photography business. Aside from the basics (excel and word), a dedicated school picture software is essential to the organization of images and data. We will be utilizing and demonstrating the referenced software(s) in the course modules.

Employee Issues

As your business expands, you may need to hire new photographers and staff. We will be discussing the difference between an employee and contract labor, background checks, hours and mileage, and the importance of separation of duties. Also included with this module is a school photographer training manual. This training manual discusses everything a new school photographer needs to know and even includes a test to check their competency. Feel free to modify or customize as necessary.

Selecting Your Lab

We will discuss the criteria necessary when selecting a professional school photography lab. Use this information when interviewing a potential processing lab to help you make an informed decision.

Pricing Your Packages

In this module we will be discussing how to implement value added pricing, sales tax, and commissions. Also, we will be discussing the methods to gather your competitor’s pricing information. Last, we will break down a package by cost and profit and demonstrate the formula for figuring out commissions.

Presentation Requirements

We will be discussing the recommended presentation materials needed when visiting the campus. Also, we will be discussing the importance of a company phone, email, website, and proper company branded attire.

Preparing for the School Visit

We are almost ready to visit the school, but we need to check off a few things first. We will look at important issues such as business office registration, bids and RFP’s, decision makers, and networking.

Types of Photography Services

We will be discussing the different types of photography services you can expect to provide throughout the school year. We will look at the individual services by elementary, middle school, and high school levels. Also included is an on-campus senior portrait sign up sheet. Feel free to modify as necessary.

Soliciting the Campus

It’s time to make the official visit. What to take, when to go, and who to talk to? Also, we will discuss the important information to gather and how to stay organized.

School's Expectations

We will look at the most frequently asked questions you can expect. We will be discussing minimizing commissions, the different types of school photography programs used to sell and collect money, and workflow issues most important to the school decision maker.

Signing the Contract

We will demonstrate all the important information required in the photography agreement. This will include the details about each individual job that will be performed at that campus. Also included with this module is a sample contract ready to use. Feel free to modify or customize as necessary.

Preparing for Picture Day

We will discuss all the necessary materials needed for picture day. We will look at the different requirements based on the program type (proof, pre-pay, or speculation). We will also discuss utilizing the school for help to make picture day a success.

Handling Data

Perhaps one of the most important steps in the school photography workflow process. We will discuss the importance of the data file, the information required, and how to acquire it. We will demonstrate how to properly format, edit, and merge the data without extensive manual manipulation. We will demonstrate how to save the corrected excel file as CSV, import it into the school software, and create individual bar-code labels. Also included with this module is a data request form ready to use. Feel free to modify or customize as necessary.

Setting up Templates

We will demonstrate the template builder provided with the school picture software. We will look at how to create ID cards, proof templates including using the green screen option, and the application of macros (student data fields) on those borders.

Picture Day Setup

We will discuss the process of loading and setting up the equipment. Also, we will look at arrival time, checking in, and what to be ready for before start time.

Picture Taking Process

We will be demonstrating the picture taking process in real time. We will be discussing the proper workflow to maximize efficiency and productivity while maintaining quality. This demonstration includes barcode scanning, posing the student, and printing proofs on-site.

After Picture Day Processing

The pictures are taken and now it’s time for some housekeeping. We will be demonstrating backing up the job and merging the job to the base station if multiple field stations were used. Also, we will demonstrate the head sizing process and the creation of the PSPA yearbook and administration CD.

Money Collection

We will discuss issues with the money collection process including change, sitting fees, and credit/debt cards. Also, we will discuss the issues related to the different programs (proof, Pre-pay, and speculation) and how the funds are to be collected.

Processing the Orders

It’s time to print the orders. We will demonstrate how to efficiently network to the lab, create the packages, add enhancements, apply retouching, and render green screen. We will also demonstrate the process of using a Labtricity connected lab and one utilizing VPS ROES through the rendering process. We will demonstrate how to submit those orders to the lab in a specified sequence for proper sorting and the application of packaging labels for each student.

Picture Delivery

We will discuss final delivery issues and packaging recommendations. Also, we will discuss customer service-related issues and the most important function at the time of delivery. Also included with this module is a progress checklist that will guide you through the school photography process, from setting the picture date to delivering the orders. Feel free to edit or customize as necessary.