MINNEAPOLIS SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHY

Click the button below to learn more about me and feel free to take a peek around my site!  I have three of my own school aged children, so I'm quite accustomed to the chaos, big feelings, and most of all joy that comes from working with small children!

My goal is to provide a personal touch to schools and parents that rivals that of the big name school photo companies.  Schools and parents will be working directly with me from planning school photo day, to taking the photos, to ordering and delivery of digitals and prints.   

10% of profits are donated to the school!

There is NO charge to the school or to the parents to have school photos taken.  There is NO obligation to purchase.  After receiving a link to their child's private, watermarked gallery, parents will have options to purchase high resolution digital downloads, prints, and composites of the whole class.  Several value priced packages are also available.  Prices are competitive.  Click the button below to see current pricing-please note pricing is subject to change.

Anytime school is in session!  Let's talk and make a plan for the best time of year for YOUR school!

YES!  I have so many tricks up my sleeve to make the process of photographing children quick and fun.  That said, every child's temperament is different and I will not force a child to smile.  My goal is for picture day to be a fun and non-traumatic experience.   I see and appreciate the magic and beauty in every expression!

I ask that school administration send out an email to families notifying them of the scheduled school photo date and providing a link to a private landing page on my website that is personalized for your school.  The landing page will include the school's photo date, a pricing sheet, examples of my work, my contact info, and FAQs for parents.  I'll handle all communication with families from there!
 
I'll need a school roster that includes at least student first and last name and parent email addresses in CSV format or an excel spreadsheet. I use the roster to create QR codes that allow me to easily identify and sort each child's photos. When galleries are live, families will receive an email directly from me allowing them to access their child's private gallery and to place orders. Parent emails will NOT be added to any marketing lists and I will only use email addresses to communicate with parents about the current school photo day.

All communication is electronic to keep things simple! No flyers or papers to get lost/damaged before they make it home. Yay!

I just need an indoor space that has enough room for my backdrop and small amount of lighting equipment.  I'd suggest that the location be very close to the classrooms to keep the process efficient and minimize disruption.  I ask that I visit the school prior to photo day so that school administration and myself can select the ideal location together.  

I recognize that photo day is a disruption to the school's normal routine.  My goal is to minimize disruption to the extent possible and work efficiently so children can get back to what they do best-playing and learning!

I've found that it works best for a school staff member that is familiar with the children to bring them to me in small groups of 2-3.  This familiar face really makes a difference in easing children's anxiety about an unknown person/event.  I'd suggest working through one class or group at a time.  The rest of the class can proceed on with their usual schedule and each child will be away for just a few minutes having their picture taken.

The ordering and delivery process is made to be as hands off as possible for the school.  Teachers and administrators have too much on their plate already-let's keep this easy for you!  

Within 3 weeks of photo day, I will email parents a link to their child’s watermarked proofing gallery.  There will be approximately 4-7 images of each child, both in color and black & white.  Parents order directly from the online gallery.  Prints will be delivered to the school to go home with children.  Digitals will be available for immediate download.  

Galleries will be live for 7 days.

All orders must be placed within the 7 day period.

In lieu of the traditional group photo, I offer class composites.  Each class or group will have their own composite, an 8x10 print made up of an individual photo of each child and a photo of the teacher(s).  Student and teacher names will be under each photo.  Class composites will be included in each child's gallery.  Families can choose to purchase individually or purchase a package that includes the class composite.  Digital downloads of class composites are not provided.

Yes!  With school permission, I love to offer a set number of sign up spots for parents to bring outside siblings to be photographed at drop off time.  Attending siblings are photographed together during the school day.

Each child will have their own album and a separate album made up of images of siblings together.  I provide a private discount code to parents that will have multiple galleries to help offset the expense.

A resounding yes.  I take privacy, most especially when it comes to children, very seriously.  Galleries are private and parents will receive a link only to their own child's password protected gallery.  I do not use any photos of a child on my website, business social media accounts, or marketing materials unless I have received permission from a parent.  My default is always not to share unless I get this permission.

Yes!  Staff photos are taken for the Class Composites.  I can also photograph any auxiliary staff.  Schools will be able to download staff photos for no charge.  Both web resolution and print resolution digital files will be provided.  School will have rights to use staff photos as they wish-on their website, in print marketing, etc.

Yes, I offer one make up day for schools over 40 students.  I schedule the make up day approximately one week from the main picture day.  This time frame allows time for any kiddos that were out sick to recover and be back in school.  It also allows me to release all galleries at once, within three weeks of the main picture day.

Yes, Kate Simpson Photography, LLC is a registered limited liability company with the state of Minnesota.  I carry general liability and equipment insurance for my business.