Advertising through kids school

[JStrattonPhotography]

I am tagging along on an all day field trip for my daughter's choir group in March. I plan on bringing my camera and stuff anyways but figure that this may be a great tool to use for marketing. The idea is to take pictures throughout the day of the kids, their performance and just document the day. Then when I get back put all of the pictures together for the teachers and parents. The majority of the parents can't make it to the field trip and I know how much it would mean to me as a parent for someone to get pictures when I couldn't be there.

Here is where I am stuck. DO I JUST do a weblink and send to the teachers so they can pass it along to the parents OR do I create a slideshow and actually make a disc for all of the parents. I have the supplies I bought very cheap so it would only end up being about $20 for discs for the 100 kids families.

[Kalrog]

Since it is a school sponsored field trip, I wouldn't want to charge for it. I would probably do a web link and let the advertising speak for itself.

[JStrattonPhotography]

I think you misunderstood. I would NEVER charge the parents, NO CHARGE AT ALL! I am saying it would only cost ME about $20 in materials to crete the discs to give all of the parents.

[Fireball]

Since you're going as a volunteer and not as a paid photographer I think I would make a slideshow (cheaper than CD) and send the link to the teachers to pass it on. If someone wants it on a CD, ask that they help defray the cost a bit.

When you send the link to the teachers, be sure and have your logo and contact info so you can market your business at the same time. If you're photos are outstanding, they will speak for themselves and if anything, it will get your name out there so they'll know who to call in the future!

[CaptainTom]

If you leave it up to the teachers your efficiency will suffer greatly.
Make the CD's.
Make sure each parent gets a free CD that includes your advertising brochure or just a flyer advertising your business.
Make sure they know it is a gift from you.

If you can get your message to 100 families who will spread your name and it costs $1 each, it is worth the expense and effort. Don't skimp on quality.

I would not leave it up to somebody else to distribute the CD's.

somebody hands you a note with a website printed on it: value O
somebody gives you a good looking CD in a custom sleeve: value $$$

[JStrattonPhotography]

Luckily the teachers are AMAZING and are always very appreciative of anything us parents do. I am thinking ot letting them know beforehand that I plan to go and document the day.

[bryanlindsey]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

If you leave it up to the teachers your efficiency will suffer greatly.
Make the CD's.
Make sure each parent gets a free CD that includes your advertising brochure or just a flyer advertising your business.
Make sure they know it is a gift from you.

If you can get your message to 100 families who will spread your name and it costs $1 each, it is worth the expense and effort. Don't skimp on quality.

I would not leave it up to somebody else to distribute the CD's.

somebody hands you a note with a website printed on it: value O
somebody gives you a good looking CD in a custom sleeve: value $$$

This advice is solid gold.

[ronocnikral]

since no one has said anything...i'll chime in about model releases.

my feeling is you will be OK. leagally, you may not. but it is something that could cause you some huge issues if one parent doesn't like what you put out or if they find out your CD lands in someone else's hands they don't like.

not trying to totally put down the idea, but just pointing out a potential problem. it's a risk we wouldn't take...

edit: my comments only apply if you plan on advancing or benefiting your business. since this is in the business section...

[toverman]

Agree with Tom's advice. No matter how great the teachers are, they have more important jobs to do. Take them out of the equation by doing it yourself.

See if the PTA needs some for newsletters/yearbooks/Web site use. See if they will give you a credit (use your Web link). You might try advertising in any school publications if your market includes parents. My son's school PTA does an annual phone directory and the ad was cheap and highly visible.

[JStrattonPhotography]

Originally Posted by toverman

Agree with Tom's advice. No matter how great the teachers are, they have more important jobs to do. Take them out of the equation by doing it yourself.

See if the PTA needs some for newsletters/yearbooks/Web site use. See if they will give you a credit (use your Web link). You might try advertising in any school publications if your market includes parents. My son's school PTA does an annual phone directory and the ad was cheap and highly visible.

What a GREAT idea. I don't know why I didn't think of this before. My daughter starts Jr. High next year so I will definitely reach out to the PTA and see about contacting the yearbook teacher as well.

[Kalrog]

Originally Posted by JStrattonPhotography

I think you misunderstood. I would NEVER charge the parents, NO CHARGE AT ALL! I am saying it would only cost ME about $20 in materials to crete the discs to give all of the parents.

I did misunderstand. My apologies.

[Digigeek]

Most schools these days send a form home at the beginning of the year asking if the parent has any objection to their kid being photographed during school events for yearbook and the like. You might check to see if any of the kids you shot has such an objection on file with the school and delete those from your cd. I've never run into problems, but you never know when one will bite you.

[JStrattonPhotography]

I am definitely going to clear it with the choir teachers before I commence the plan. Keeping my fingers crossed but I am pretty sure that they will be fine with it (and will check to see if any parents have signed a form) as they regularly put pictures of the events online and in the newsletters.

I am also donating a photography session to the school's upcoming fundraiser and auction. The PTA is really excited about this. Just have to put together a photo display and get them a gift certificate.

[keripayne]

I think that's a great idea-but I can TOTALLY see some parent freaking out about this. At my son's school a grandparent can't even go to lunch without having a background check done first. I think I would stick with the PTA event and stay away from photographing the kids. That's just asking for someone to freak out on you--and we ALL know that most people don't need much provocation as it is! Lol

[Cajungaltx]

I do this sort of thing every event that I attend.

I just had the basketball coach ask if I could take a few shots of the Varsity team (they play just before or after my daughter) - and how much I'd charge.

Considering he just gave me access to every senior boy & girl basketball player and their parents at that school, I told him not a dollar, but that referrals are always welcome.

I shoot, I resize them (to save on load time) I load to the site that the school has setup (parent access only) and I let the parents have the photos for free. The coach sends out an email saying if anyone wants the larger file, they are welcome to contact me directly.

I also let them use them for the school website.

And the yearbook.

I'm not looking to sell those photos. I'm looking to have THE parents make the connection between those photos, and myself.

This isn't requiring me to go someplace I'm not already going... I'm only doing it at the games that my daughter goes to... but the exposure/opportunity is there.