FINE ART
SCHOOL PORTRAITS

How is this different from the standard setup?

I offer the same services as large photography studios, however I provide a more personal experience from the photo session to the backend ordering process. I'm not about the one or two-shot, impersonal, "deer in the headlights" approach that you often get with the larger studios. I strive for authenticity in all my work, so that what you receive for your child's school photos are genuine expressions and reflections of their personalities. In addition, I only work with a few, select schools so that I can provide superior customer service and artistic images.

My goal is not to force a smile, pose children in particular positions, or use an obviously contrived background. I strive to capture the true personality of each child I photograph, which results in images that are authentic, classic, and timeless portraits that stand apart from the more awkward, traditional photos we all experienced growing up (and now with our children's school photos). My background is simple and non-distracting, and I take advantage of natural light so that each child is more at ease than they would be with a flash setup.

What does the process look like?

I like to provide an easy, turnkey service that doesn’t rely on collecting forms or money on the day of the shoot. Everything is accomplished online -- families access photos via password protected ordering galleries. Galleries are organized by whatever grouping works best for the school (e.g., by grade, homeroom, etc.). And each child’s gallery contains at least 2-5 images for the family to choose their favorite -- no more being forced to accept a pose/expression chosen for them!

A variety of print offerings are available to order securely online, including print packages and boutique options such as canvas gallery wraps, glass prints and digital images for future printing and archiving. All information regarding the ordering process, prep for photo day and what to expect are outlined in a detailed PDF for each school to distribute to families prior to photo day. And all print orders are delivered directly to the school for distribution to families.

I pride myself on taking the hassle out of photo day. You can count on me to provide:

• The equipment and personnel needed for the day

• All high resolution digital files to use for yearbooks, school website or advertising, school IDs, or any other school need for the images

• Answers to any questions from parents and families about ordering, products and photo day prep

• Staff and class photos, as determined by each school’s individual needs

Sessions are held during the academic year at a time that works best for each school, and I’m always willing to work with schools on providing custom services that fit specific needs.

How many students can be accommodated?

My sweet spot is small to medium-sized schools. I have worked with schools as large as 300 students and as small as 15 students, with kids ranging in age from 1 to 15 years old. 

How much do session cost?

I recognize that not everyone has the means to spend a ton on photos, and that school portraits are particularly important for families to have memories of their kiddos at different stages in their lives, so I’ve been diligent about remaining very competitive with my rates. There is no fee for my services up front as all profit is made from orders. I have a variety of collections and individual products to fit the needs of everyone. 
And I also donate 10% of gross profits to the schools I work with, so it’s a win-win for everyone!

I’d love to be able to work with you on elevating your school photo experience!