The Business Of School Photography

One day that kids will most definitely not miss their school day is on “Portrait Day”. As the year comes close to an end, all that students wait for is the infamous school photograph. 

Usually schools do not change their photographers for a few years to avoid wasting time in briefing the photographer about their needs. An old photographer probably knows what the school wants, their budget and the kids too. But small private schools are more open in hiring new talent as it opens the doors to much more new ideas and creativity.

Portrait Day is not a small event. It does not end with just a photo for memory. There are various packages and offers available which range from a portrait, yearbook, CD, pictures on mugs and t-shirts and many other items.

This industry is yet in its nascent stage and a great potential for photographers is seen in here. There are millions of schools in the US alone where the business is booming, so you can imagine the exposure. School Photography has definitely become a business to enter if you love taking pictures and are good with kids.

Companies are exclusively catering to this niche. Along with photographers, re-touching services also see a boost in their business. No one wants to look fat or ugly in their yearbooks and so the services of image retouchers are required. The pictures taken on this day make their way to many family albums. They need to be perfect. In order to save time, school photographers usually hire a retoucher who can add effects, remove unwanted articles, make the model thin, adjust lighting etc. Retouching companies all over the world are benefiting from this as outsourcing business to them is a cheap.

So the business works in 3 parts:

1.       Photographer: He is the one who will conduct the photoshoot

2.       Re-touching Agency: Photographs will be passed on by the photographer to the agency who will retouch and edit the pictures to make them perfect and send them back of the photographer

3.       School Photography Company: These are the people who give the clients the final portraits however they want it. Printed, digital, on a cup, on a book, calendar, yearbooks etc.

The company usually displays the pictures online where clients can order personalized items. Parents can review the picture, ask for a fee changes and order a print the way they want.

School photography is most definitely a growing business with companies, agencies and photographers focusing greatly on this niche. Schools and parents are also working hard to give their children a memorable gift as they leave school.