School Photographer

[spcalan]

I have been asked to provide a quote for obtaining the contract for a school. I will be the main photographer for the posed basketball shots ( K-5 grades ).

I know what my "cost" is and the mark-up.
But do I ask for a set amount, say a "day" rate plus the money I make off the "mark-up" of photos?

Or is the only money I will be making is the "possiblity" of selling these packages to parents my only means of making money?

Just wondering how everyone does it?

Thanks.

[ssim]

I have two rural school divisions signed up for next year which covers some 40 schools with just under 1000 students. I'm not doing the sports shots but am doing individuals shots for all students and a class group picture for the grades 1-6.

It is standard here that the only money made is off of the packages that I sell. There is no charge for the taking or covering of my costs. I am on the hook for all costs. It is a risk but then it is business and what would it be without some risk. I did a few schools this year and it paid off very well including all of my costs.

I think it would be a fair assumption that they have asked other photographers to provide quotes as well. Having the customer trying to cover your costs and then pay for the prints on top is counter intuitive to the way it works in our area.

I don't know how many students you are talking about but you have to estimate on how many will buy your packages. What your costs will be and how many packages do you have to sell to be profitable.

In my quote that I did, I provided a clause that I would make a one time donation to the schools after hours programs providing that 75% of the parents bought packages.

[MJPhotos24]

I don't do it for schools yet, but have talked with some schools about it and it would be the same set up as "SSIM" mentioned above. The younger grades usually sell pretty good, the older grades (9-12th in the US) just don't do as well, so any time I can get K-8 I usually jump on it, even though it's risky.

[spcalan]

What kind of packages should I offer?
Also, is there $ in offering buttons/pins?

Maybe some of those photo holders?

[MJPhotos24]

What kind of packages should I offer?
Also, is there $ in offering buttons/pins?

Maybe some of those photo holders?

If you go to my site in my sig, the 2nd section down has a link to my packages and prices. Now your area might be different and you'd be able to adjust the prices as needed. Those prices are what works around here for me.

I don't get many orders for pins/buttons and the other novelty things but DO get some. I know the second I stop I'd get asked for them to, so just leave them on there. So, in short there's no real big cash in those items, but it's there as a convienence for them - the real money comes from packages.

As for the photo holders, I assume you mean memory mates (hold a team & individual photo). I found that noone around here wanted them or cared if I offered them so I ditched them as wasn't going to waste my money. If you are going to offer them, it might be a good idea to make a part of the order form with an option like "Do you want a memory mate photo holder - yes/no"...this of course at no extra cost. That way, those who want it get it, and you don't waste one on those who dont want them.

[spcalan]

Thank you for your help.

Where do you get your order forms from?
Also, how many poses do you do per kid, and how do you let the parent see the proof? DO I print out a 4x6 of each kid in an envelope?

Just trying to learn the ropes.

[MJPhotos24]

Thank you for your help.

Where do you get your order forms from?
Also, how many poses do you do per kid, and how do you let the parent see the proof? DO I print out a 4x6 of each kid in an envelope?

Just trying to learn the ropes.

I do one pose with the kid...before they take there photo they pick the pose since my assistant has four or so printed on a piece of paper thats on a clipboard and shows them to the kids. Once they get to me I'm told which one they want to do and help set them up. Bam, done.

order forms - I just bought regular business sized envelopes and printed the forms on there myself.

As for proofs, they dont see them. If they want to see the pic on the camera fine, I'll show it quick but not till after I get done shooting everyone else. But by the time the pics is taken I already have the money, that's a MUST. You can't rely on them ordering them later cuz some wont. They should have the order forms about two weeks before the photos are going to be taken and then they bring them with them on photo day with checks or cash sealed inside. If they want to order more later thats fine.

Also, on your order form put a few things...
- Photographer will be unable to make change.....
- each player must have own envelope but can pay for more than one kid with one check (multi pay system on front of the envelope
- reorders available later at a higher cost
- returned checks require a $30 service fee

stuff like that.

[cosworth]

I have done school shots. Fussy biz.

Here is what you do. Take all the kids and staff shots. Staff gets freebies usually.

You contact sheet every kid by classroom with file names at bottom. Use folders on the memory card if you have a 1 series to break it into divisions. Cut 'em up and staple the kid's shot to the front of an envelope with an order form inside. This order form has 4 checkboxes:

Retake (only available once)
Basic
Standard
Deluxe

Price your basic at $20, Std at $30 and Deluxe is whatever fancy package you decide to come up with.

Teachers divvy the packages out to kids, the proof shot is damaged in the stapling. That weeds out the cheapskates from getting a free wallet shot. The kids return with the package and cash/cheques and you have the image number on the proof, done.


My wife and I went through HELL trying to do it the way it was "done nefore" where we show proofs just before class and take orders. It was 5 days of pissing around with absent minded soccer moms. Next time 'round we did this (above) and it was :

Who wants what? K. What size? K. In this envelope? Yup. Done and done.

[MJPhotos24]

Thats why the order form given out 2 weeks before is key, I would NEVER - I mean NEVER - take the pics and hope they ordered later. Give them the order form two weeks ahead of time so before there pic is even taken they are sold and done with - no extra pissin around.

[MJPhotos24]

...after realizing I keep giving advice to make memory mates an option - I'm going to add it myself as a package deal - but not those cardboard ones you slip the photos in, printed versions, i.e., an 8x10 that has 2 photos, graphics, etc.

[DNR Imaging]

Sheldon,
I have a question for you. I just got through talking with a principal of the local school here and I told him that I would like to take their senior pictures and event pictures. He told me to give him a proposal. I am new to this. I just retired from 23 years of Army and started my own photography business. I have no problem with the taking picture aspect. It is the business part that I need help with. Is there any way that I can get some more info or maybe even look at that proposal that you have done? I down loaded a few examples from online, but I think they are way to in-depth from my purpose. What kind of % are you talking about for the one time donation? Do you maintain all the rights of the pictures? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Dirk

[Jon, The Elder]

Cosworth.....Now thats just plain Slick. I printed your comment out if ya' don't mind.

[jackies35]

For whatever it's worth, my niece just bought home an envelope about taking pictures, check this box, pay this $$$ or that etc.... They wanted her mother to put the money inside so she could take pictures the next day or so... *note: the prices were ok... $ 22 for 8x10 and 12 to so for 5x7... Anyway....

I told her Mom, let me see the negatives or proofs... There wasn't any. So, how am I going to know how the pictures would look or anything. You don't know until it's taking, sorted, pp if any, and printed. Then, i have to wait until it's delivered to the student.... etc.. etc...

[MJPhotos24]

For whatever it's worth, my niece just bought home an envelope about taking pictures, check this box, pay this $$$ or that etc.... They wanted her mother to put the money inside so she could take pictures the next day or so... *note: the prices were ok... $ 22 for 8x10 and 12 to so for 5x7... Anyway....

I told her Mom, let me see the negatives or proofs... There wasn't any. So, how am I going to know how the pictures would look or anything. You don't know until it's taking, sorted, pp if any, and printed. Then, i have to wait until it's delivered to the student.... etc.. etc...

still have yet to see proofs, negatives definately not...the pics are always standard so you know what you're getting - standard school pics...for sports it's almost always a standard pose pic. I know for mine I have been getting tons of compliments lately as picture day approaches about the "way you made him/her (there son/daughter) stick out" i.e., it wasn't just a normal pic taken on auto settings.

[jsanz11]

I'm a school photographer and i automate a contact sheet and staple the proofs onto the order forms for htem to see what they're getting before they order. I wish there was a way to automate the images onto the order forms and just have them printed on the forms ...anyone know of this way?
-Joey

[basroil]

I'm a school photographer and i automate a contact sheet and staple the proofs onto the order forms for htem to see what they're getting before they order. I wish there was a way to automate the images onto the order forms and just have them printed on the forms ...anyone know of this way?
-Joey

I know that you can "cheat" a bit in Lightroom and have it all printed as a single page (grouped by keywords, in this case order number). Also, if you have a database program set to record client's purchases, you can try looking in the manual to see what extra functionality it can have. It'll be a bit harder to set up either of these two, but if you have to deal with 1k orders, then it may be worth the extra effort.

[jsanz11]

I did one school of 800 kids just for individuals. Then I do it for their spring pictures, sports pictures, graduation cap & gown pictures so it does add up. I usually print contact sheets with the filename under the picture and cut them out and staple them to the order forms one by one. It isn't hard and doesn't take but maybe 30-45 minutes to do but i've just seen some more professional order forms done the same exact way only with the proof actually printed on the form itself. I think dragging and dropping and printing each form one by one might take too long. I'm sure this company might have a way they automate it all i've tried looking everywhere and even asking millers and other photogs but have never been able to find anything.
-Joey