I am still in shock, but the director of my son's school has asked me to take the childrens's and staff's portraits and class pictures this year. I have never done anything like this before so I am turning the pros (& not so pros like me) at 365 for help. I am a hobbiest, so this is a huge assignment for me. The director is an amazing and supportive person who has been encouraging me to do more with my photography and is now giving me the opportunity. I love her sense of humor as she told me, "No pressure!" lol
Some background info:
1. It is a very small school in a natural wooded area.
2. There are approximately 40 children and 10 faculty members.
3. The children's ages range from preschool to high school (3 to 18).
4. Class sizes are small (5-10 students each) with the exception of the preschool which has approximately 15- 20 children ages 3 to 6.
5. I will probably be taking the photos next week.
6. The director prefers photos that are not the typical assembly line school photos and would like them outside taking advantage of the natural lighting and setting.
7. I can do a trial run with my son to check equipment, location, lighting, props (seating?), etc.
8. I'll be using my Nikon D90 with a D40 for backup. I have several SD cards one is 8GB. I am thinking my Nikon 18-105 lens will be my primary with my Quaternary 18-200 as the backup. I have a tripod. Do I need an external flash?
I would appreciate any advice, suggestions, questions, things to consider or avoid and stories of similar jobs, equipment needs, etc. that any one has.
Sounds to me like you are more than ready. Might I suggest letting the kids play and take candids of each of them or even ask them to look in a direction as you photograph them playing.
@pinktornado39 That is quite strange but I am doing the same thing next week, hope yours goes really well. I have also been asked to take photos of the children in Santa's grotto! That will be tricky - dark etc. I am going to take a look at those links. Good luck.
I used to work as a schools photographer but it sounds like you will be doing a different type to the traditional photos so that experience won't help too much.
A few general thing syou will need though:
1. Top of the list, a good assistant. Someone who can stay with you all day, who can record what image numbers go with which child and what class they are in also who can ensure consent forms have been signed.
2. You will need to arrange insurance, if a child falls over when taking photos outside you could risk a parent seeking compensation. I know it sounds silly but it does happen.
3. Parents will want their children to look smart in the photos even if they are a more relaxed style. Preferably ask teachers to ensure shirts are tucked in, ties straight etc and that they help with the younger ones. You do not want to adjust clothing yourself as it can leave a door open for all types of accusations.
4. Even though the photos will be outside take an additional flash which you can set to a low power to prevent any shadows over the childrens faces. This might be particularly useful if you're in a wooded area which could result in dappled light.
5. What is your back up plan if it rains and you can't take them outside?
6. Have the teachers provide you with a plan for the day ie 9-10am reception photos, break and lunch time - teachers, 10-10.30 year 1 etc
7. You will not have time to stop and eat, teachers photos are generally done during breaks when you are not shooting the kids. My go to food used to be pepsi max and a bag of haribo, It wasn't at all healthy but you could put a sweet in your mouth between photos and it kept you going. (I lost so much weight doing this job!)
8. The day before charge everything, check it all works, format your memory cards. Then in the evening pack it all.
9. Good luck! If I think of anything else I'll let you know.
Let us know how you get on
@emmilou Emma, the parents group at my sons school have somehow talked me into doing the grotto photos at this years Christmas fayre, I'm not sure how I've allowed myself to do school photos in any way shape or form. Let us know how it works out for you :)
10. I KNEW there was something else. Get a list of what sibling shots are wanted and arrange to do any with siblings who are not yet in school first as this will let the parents be able to bring their children in and then leave fairly quickly afterwards.
11. Try to arrive at least an hour before school starts so you can set everything up and have everything arranged once the children arrrive. You don't want to be flustered :)
12. Sorry I keep on going!
How are you going to arrange proof cards so parents can see what they want to order? Will you print out small passport sized proofs on the day? If so theis will again make your assistant an important role. You don't want to be left printing whilst you need to arrange the next group or even be stuck there 2-3 hours after school finishes trying to arrange the photos into groups?
If not printing on the day will you be ordering small proofs? If so will the school be paying for this cost or the cost of your ink?
What size options will you be offering? Will they be mounted in cardboard mounts? If so have you provided these extra costs to the school? WIll you be doing any package rates for multiple orders? Would the packages be only for the same print or for seperate prints of siblings?
One of the biggest sellers, especially at this time of year, were the 'novelty' photo gifts (mouse mats, crystal cubes with the phot etched inside, fridge magnets, calnedars... all which make great presents for relatives). Will you be offering any of these? Have you arranged the costs?
@emmar84 - Hi Emma, thank you sooooo much for all of your wonderful insight! I'm sorry it has taken me this long to reply, but I got busy with an unwell little boy, followed by a field trip, followed by me getting ill. Ah, the joys of motherhood. I read your posts, but I am going to go back through them and memorize them. :) I am going to make a list of my needs/questions based on all that you have given me to think about. Again, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
@pinktornado39 No problems Laura, I hope you and your son are feeling much better.
If you think of anything else just tag me and I'll answer the best I can :)
Oooh #13 Reflectors are great tools for natural light photos, I used mine today and the contrast of the photos with and without a reflector are huge. They reduce dark shadows and depending what type you use (mine has 4 covers black, white, gold and silver) can add different looks to the photo.
Write a Reply
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.
Tweets ahoy!
Join the Group
Pin With Me
How to Take Child Candid Portraits
Seven Tips For Taking Photos of Tykes
http://www.digital-slr-guide.com/child-candid-portraits.html
You may want to split up the groups by grades so you can handle them easier. The older kids and adults will probably want more formal pictures though.
13 Tips for Improving Outdoor Portraits
http://www.digital-photography-school.com/13-tips-for-improving-outdoor-portraits
Tips on Outdoor Portrait Photography
http://www.brighthub.com/multimedia/photography/articles/22841.aspx
http://www.youcantbeserious.com.au/blog/page/3/
http://www.youcantbeserious.com.au/blog/2011/09/13/draft_indiaschool/
@sheetalthakker - FANTASTIC portraits! wow! those are amazing. thank you for sharing. i will be looking at them a million times now.
@emmilou - how cool is this? we can do it! good luck with your photoshoots. i know you will do a fantastic job!
I used to work as a schools photographer but it sounds like you will be doing a different type to the traditional photos so that experience won't help too much.
A few general thing syou will need though:
1. Top of the list, a good assistant. Someone who can stay with you all day, who can record what image numbers go with which child and what class they are in also who can ensure consent forms have been signed.
2. You will need to arrange insurance, if a child falls over when taking photos outside you could risk a parent seeking compensation. I know it sounds silly but it does happen.
3. Parents will want their children to look smart in the photos even if they are a more relaxed style. Preferably ask teachers to ensure shirts are tucked in, ties straight etc and that they help with the younger ones. You do not want to adjust clothing yourself as it can leave a door open for all types of accusations.
4. Even though the photos will be outside take an additional flash which you can set to a low power to prevent any shadows over the childrens faces. This might be particularly useful if you're in a wooded area which could result in dappled light.
5. What is your back up plan if it rains and you can't take them outside?
6. Have the teachers provide you with a plan for the day ie 9-10am reception photos, break and lunch time - teachers, 10-10.30 year 1 etc
7. You will not have time to stop and eat, teachers photos are generally done during breaks when you are not shooting the kids. My go to food used to be pepsi max and a bag of haribo, It wasn't at all healthy but you could put a sweet in your mouth between photos and it kept you going. (I lost so much weight doing this job!)
8. The day before charge everything, check it all works, format your memory cards. Then in the evening pack it all.
9. Good luck! If I think of anything else I'll let you know.
Let us know how you get on
@emmilou Emma, the parents group at my sons school have somehow talked me into doing the grotto photos at this years Christmas fayre, I'm not sure how I've allowed myself to do school photos in any way shape or form. Let us know how it works out for you :)
11. Try to arrive at least an hour before school starts so you can set everything up and have everything arranged once the children arrrive. You don't want to be flustered :)
How are you going to arrange proof cards so parents can see what they want to order? Will you print out small passport sized proofs on the day? If so theis will again make your assistant an important role. You don't want to be left printing whilst you need to arrange the next group or even be stuck there 2-3 hours after school finishes trying to arrange the photos into groups?
If not printing on the day will you be ordering small proofs? If so will the school be paying for this cost or the cost of your ink?
What size options will you be offering? Will they be mounted in cardboard mounts? If so have you provided these extra costs to the school? WIll you be doing any package rates for multiple orders? Would the packages be only for the same print or for seperate prints of siblings?
One of the biggest sellers, especially at this time of year, were the 'novelty' photo gifts (mouse mats, crystal cubes with the phot etched inside, fridge magnets, calnedars... all which make great presents for relatives). Will you be offering any of these? Have you arranged the costs?
Sorry for all the questions, I hope they help!
If you think of anything else just tag me and I'll answer the best I can :)
Oooh #13 Reflectors are great tools for natural light photos, I used mine today and the contrast of the photos with and without a reflector are huge. They reduce dark shadows and depending what type you use (mine has 4 covers black, white, gold and silver) can add different looks to the photo.