Yearbook photos

[jmoore01]

I am a part-time pro photog working full-time as the company computer guy. I have been offered an opportunity to shoot yearbook photos for an area high school. The assignment started out as just Seniors, but grew this afternoon to the entire student body and faculty. Students and faculty total about 1300. I really want to do it, but am really concerned about some important details. I have never done anything close to this before. I do have all the necessary equipment (strobes, backgrounds, etc.), but I'm not too sure about the time. I have a second photog who is at least as capable as I. He's willing to be a "second" shooter on this for me. "Second" shooter meaning we would have a double setup, essentially shooting two students at once. Being school photos, they need to be done during the day within a one month timeframe (Nov. 8 - Dec. 8). We both have the vacation time and are willing to take a few days (preferably three) to accomplish this. This amounts to 430+ students/faculty per day. 87 per hour (5 hours shooting time daily). No prints are involved, just images on CD/DVD.

Does anyone have any experience doing yearbook photos that can provide any guidance whatsoever on a project this large? A quick answer would be greatly appreciated. I need to provide an answer by 10pm tonight. Short notice I know.

BTW, I'm considering about $2 a head on pricing.


Signed,
Reeling in Richmond

[bondarnes]

It sounds like a sweet deal, BUT the national companies like Lifetouch and Josten's have locked up deals with all the schools where they can make money. Why is this school not under contract? And can you really make any money at $2.00 per head.

Post processing is usually figured at shooting time X FIVE. Then factor in the fact that you might need three setups and you have never done this before and the biggest question of all. What happens if you screw it up.

I don't mean to be a wet blanket, but a couple of years ago I helped another photographer with a low socio-economic area high school. I think his situation was similar to yours. The bad news is that he no longer has a studio and is driving a truck for a living.

Just be careful. Ask yourself why is this high school available and why are they willing to pay someone to do this? Most of the time the national companies will pay a commission to the school as much as 40% of their total net sales.

I don't have enough information to tell you yes or no on this deal. All I want to do is to urge caution. Consider what is the worst thing that could happen. And if you can live with that then by all means, GO FOR IT!!!

If you can just do the seniors this year then ease into the entire school in a year or two if you still want to, then I say do that. Tell me what color you need and I will rent you tuxes and Caps & Gowns or whatever you need.