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Back to School - part 2 of 1 2 3 4 5

Published 01/08/2009

Don't get me wrong, by normal portrait prices you'll probably think this is not worthwhile, as after your production, school commission, VAT and freebies you'll be lucky to make £5 per head. But remember that's 200 x £5 - so you've grossed £1,000 for a day's photography. And unlike weddings, you'll get repeat business every year; sometimes twice a year, as many schools have a second visit for class groups.

Competition is very fierce - the largest company photographs up to 60,000 children every day, has a turnover of £30+ million and a huge following. Schools often don't like change, and you'll probably never get further than a polite 'we've already got a photographer, thank you, click....'

It can be done. I know many very successful one-man operations which photograph 20,000 children every year. But they are very much under threat from both the old, well-established companies, and some new, very go ahead, progressive companies. One source of help is School Photo Pro www.schoolphotopro.com/swpp . There is a helpful forum which I, along with a number of experienced photographers, regularly contribute to.

There is training available and meetings twice a year. It's important that you don't go in unprepared; you'll find it even harder if you mess up your first job - and you'll make it harder for independents like us in the future.

How does the one-person operation compete? The large size of some of the school photography companies means it can take a long time for them to react to change and new products. If you see or invent something that parents and schools want, you could be offering it the next day. You should also be able to build up a great rapport - as you could deliver the prints personally, or offer to pop back and photograph the three kids who were absent the day the photos were taken - or to photograph the team that just won a local league.

They might also have nativity plays, concerts or even leaving proms that their existing supplier wouldn't or couldn't do. Don't forget the sports teams, or groups of senior students a few months before the end of term, and other 'friendship groups'. The possibilities are up to you...

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