I am so sick of terrible school pictures. The problem is that photography equipment and standards are advancing faster than these already outdated companies can keep up. Innovations mean cheaper photography for parents which lowers demand. Prices come down which cuts profit. The merchandising that used to be big sellers for school photography companies is cheap and easy now. Walgreens, cvs, Michael's and a crafty Mom now offer what before was impractical for the average parent. The market is so saturated with Photographers that you can't throw a stick without hitting one.
So these companies must take enormous leaps and risks just to stay afloat. And its not going to happen. Any good businessman would embrace the technology and look for a new niche in the market. How often does that actually happen though? The answer is sad. Because a lot of business fail because the cling to their old business model with no regard to the changing economic climate.
Another reason this is sad, is because lower income families depend on school pictures for their portraits. And schools too depend on school portrait sales, as they often get kick backs and commission.
So what can we do to take back the school picture. How do we make it better, profitable, and modern?
As photographers: We must ditch the awful backgrounds! Remember this one?
Did you know that this background is STILL for sale!? Lets please, please advance with the rest of the nation and DROP THE CHEESE!
Stay abreast of industry standards, in all things. Lighting, style, price and merchandise!
As parents: Demand Modernity! I promise you the only thing keeping these companies from changing is that YOU KEEP BUYING THIS CRAP! Seriously. It's awful.
Call these companies and demand what you want. If they hear it enough they will listen. Call your principal. She decides which companies come into your school to take the images. So at the next PTA meeting RAISE YOUR VOICE!
As Schools: ADVERTISE! You are benefiting from this monetarily and you are developing good public relations with your student's parents. Only you can remind, prompt, and boost your own sales.
Put your photographers in a quiet room and don't rush them. Help them maintain order and a pleasant environment. No child smiles a good smile at a stranger whom they can't hear or won't acknowledge because the whole class has gone rowdy in the absence of supervision.
We must work together, or these wonderful historical documents which are so wonderful for a child to have to look back on, will disappear. It will happen sooner than you think.
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