In the uk I have two children at local state middle school. Time of year for school and class photos to be done.1st one hear's about it is the proof prints coming home with there homework. Given the photographer is at the school for one day and photographs every individual class as one individual group photo as well as each individual child. Class sizes are normally 30 plus children, 4 classes per year and 4 years.
As my interest in photography develops I take a keen interest in other peoples work especially working pros.
I looked closely at my 2's proof print of class shots as well as the individual portraits.
Not only are the class photos poorly cropped and somewhat distant, the individual shots are better cropped but mediocre at best in terms of sharpness and general image quality.
The price list was a shock to me..
one 7" x 5" (inches) is £ 10.80 and one 8 x 6 is £12.00. Admitedly each print comes in a cheap mount, previous ones have been particularly cheap brown card. Ordering is by cheque and form filling then back to the school etc.
I would like to think the school gets a appreciable cut of profit etc. Knowing there are many working pros on this forum I would welcome there views on the costs involved in arranging and producing images from such a operation. I can only see many families with 2 children at school paying out upwards of £40 for 4 7" x 5" prints, an appreciable sum of money for many working parents.
I recently did a Team photo for the company I work for our website and certain other publications as well as recently a Team photo for my sons under 11 football team. All taken with m43rds system, results came out really well and found it a breeze compared to my more normal sports photography and family stuff. Obviously team photos can be ordered and run in bulk which helps keep costs down as well.
Needless to say my services I did not charge for and in fact prints mainly 12" x 8" I passed over to parents FOC. The goodwill created and positive responses was enough for me but then I don't depend on it for a living!!
Regards
Mark
As my interest in photography develops I take a keen interest in other peoples work especially working pros.
I looked closely at my 2's proof print of class shots as well as the individual portraits.
Not only are the class photos poorly cropped and somewhat distant, the individual shots are better cropped but mediocre at best in terms of sharpness and general image quality.
The price list was a shock to me..
one 7" x 5" (inches) is £ 10.80 and one 8 x 6 is £12.00. Admitedly each print comes in a cheap mount, previous ones have been particularly cheap brown card. Ordering is by cheque and form filling then back to the school etc.
I would like to think the school gets a appreciable cut of profit etc. Knowing there are many working pros on this forum I would welcome there views on the costs involved in arranging and producing images from such a operation. I can only see many families with 2 children at school paying out upwards of £40 for 4 7" x 5" prints, an appreciable sum of money for many working parents.
I recently did a Team photo for the company I work for our website and certain other publications as well as recently a Team photo for my sons under 11 football team. All taken with m43rds system, results came out really well and found it a breeze compared to my more normal sports photography and family stuff. Obviously team photos can be ordered and run in bulk which helps keep costs down as well.
Needless to say my services I did not charge for and in fact prints mainly 12" x 8" I passed over to parents FOC. The goodwill created and positive responses was enough for me but then I don't depend on it for a living!!
Regards
Mark