School Picture Day
We are absolutely thrilled that you are looking to have Baby Beluga Photography come and take your school pictures!
I work very closely with the staff to create a fun and relaxed portrait session for each child. Parents never have to decide how many photos they will purchase before they see the images. I utilize an easy online ordering system, where parents can browse their children’s portraits and place orders at their leisure.
How does it work?
The process is simple: all aspects of the portrait experience are handled by us, including parent communication, online viewing and ordering, print fulfillment, payment, and customer service. After discussing your needs, a setup will be chosen (traditional or green screen) and we’ll set up a portrait date. Depending on the number of participants, this may include multiple photographers and stations. A contract, question form and roster template will be sent for you to fill out and return, and that's it. From there your job is finished! You will be given a digital image to share to announce picture day.
On picture day, we will set up at the desired location, and the children will be escorted by one of your volunteers to the portrait location. Several poses will be taken of each child. Every child will be photographed regardless of whether they plan to order!
Not long after picture day, photos will be ready for online viewing and ordering in private, password-protected galleries.
How to Prepare
If your child’s school has selected Baby Beluga Photography to capture photos, rest assured that the experience will be comfortable, friendly, and fun!
DISCUSS PICTURE DAY, BUT DON'T STRESS YOUR CHILD OUT
On your child's photo day, I recommend telling them it's picture day. But there’s no need to remind your child to smile, stand up tall, or keep their eyes open. (In fact, these types of instructions often make the process difficult, because the child tries to do everything perfectly instead of just being natural in front of the camera!) I will do my absolute best to get those natural, genuine smiles. I will have pose banners readily available and make the process as simple and as efficient as possible!
FAQs - Planning Portrait Day
Picture day - simplified!
Gone are pre-order forms that can be lost or misplaced. The ordering process is completely online. Approximately 2-3 weeks prior to picture day, I will drop off fliers with information on your school picture day. Your school secretary will receive a template to fill out with all of your student and staff information to pre-register for picture day. This helps picture day go smoothly and much faster since we do not have to stop and gather information for each student on picture day – it’s already in the system and ready to go! Any student who is not pre-registered may still have their picture taken, but we will need to write their name and information down on picture day.
Once the school gallery is ready, all information on how to order, deadlines, and frequently asked questions, are given to the school to hand out to parents.
Parents are given a password-protected gallery, where each child has his/her own collection of approximately 3-5 images to select from. Pictures may be ordered as prints or digital files.
Retakes are offered for students who were absent on picture day, and will take place in my home studio to ensure the least disruption for students. If preferred, we can also set up a retake day at your school (minimum of 20 students required for me to come out with my setup).
How does this work?
A few weeks before of picture day, I will come to your school to take a peek at the location and determine what equipment I will need for lighting and backdrops that work best with your setting. On the day-of, I'll have an assistant with me to keep things running smoothly. We offer individual and class photos, and I am happy to discuss the best option for your class images when I come in to view the location.
How do I book a portrait day for my school?
Contact me at becca@babybelugaphoto.com or by using the Contact Form to check on availability.
What age range of students do you photograph?
I am comfortable photographing all ages but specialize in ages 3-12.
Is there a minimum number of students needed?
A minimum of 20 kids is required in order to bring our whole setup out. If your school is smaller than that, I do offer in studio school portraits as well!
Does it cost the school anything to have portraits taken?
Nope! There is no cost other than to the parents when ordering prints or digital files! My rates are competitive. I provide all materials, gear, and assistants for picture day. There is no cost to the school, and parents pay nothing up front. Everything is ordered online after parents have seen their child's images.
What about COVID precautions?
We recognize that with COVID, some parents may be anxious about our protocols. All assistants and photographers are local to the community, fully vaccinated, and are required to wear a mask indoors at all times. Touch posing is avoided; we direct the children on how to position themselves for a great image while maintaining social distancing. We regularly clean hands, equipment, and any stools or chairs.
Are there any perks for our school?
Picture day is not just for the students. Although individual and class photos are taken on picture day, faculty and staff may also have their picture taken that same day as well. This is the perfect way for the school to have current photos of faculty and staff for their websites, IDs, etc. Schools receive the digital files to use for school use in yearbooks, student/staff IDs, website, etc. at no charge to them.
FAQs - After Portrait Day
How do parents place orders?
Each team receives access to an easy-to-use online website that showcases each child's photos in individually password-protected online galleries. Parents order right there in the gallery; it's even easy to view sibling galleries and check out all at once!
How long does it take for portraits to arrive?
Orders are sent directly to the lab and will be shipped directly to the purchaser's home usually within one week of ordering. Digitals are available for download immediately (within a few hours).
What types of payment are accepted?
Online ordering accepts all major credit cards.
Can Grandma / other extended family members purchase prints?
One of the wonderful things about the online gallery is that anyone with the password (or forwarded link) can place an order. If your family members are out of state or not local, they can still have their orders shipped directly to them!
Can I see the photos before ordering? How do I order?
Absolutely! You will be sent a proofing gallery to view the images. All ordering is done online via a password-protected gallery. There is no pre-printing or viewing at pickup to purchase.