We had our first Family activities committee last night and we are trying to decide what our Fall and Spring activity would be. I have been on this website and I love the Family Portrait Night and I suggested it. Now I need help on how to make this work. I have contacted a gal that takes pictures and I'm waiting to hear back from her. I am wondering how can you make this more social for the families to come and hang around and mingle? What do you do at your schools? Cookies and coffee? I need something to try to keep them there...any ideas?
We did pictures ourselves at 8th grade prom, and by no means were we anything beyond amatures. We created a colorful backdrop to match the prom theme. We did take a tripod for the digital camera and a laptop to look at them nice and big, so people could decide if they want to buy other poses.
Then as the sun began setting, we discovered there really wasn't enough light, even with the camera flash. (We didn't realize how much light had come from a skylight rather than a building fixture.) So we improvised by using an overhead projector and aiming the lamp at the subjects.
We charged $1 per 5x7 (that was the only choice) and had them printed at Sam's. I think they charged 37 cents each. They turned out really cute.
So my suggestions would be:
** Consider carefully your backdrop. We initially had some shiny decorations that reflected the flash. Those had to be changed out. Also, it would have been nice if our backdrop had been bigger so we didn't have to be so careful about the edges being seen.
** Plan for lighting
** Being able to view the pictures on larger source (laptop) is nice
** Make an order form and consider how you will match pictures to forms.
** Consider how the pictures will be delivered. Our cheerleaders volunteered to deliver during a homeroom period.
What do you think about putting pictures with a reading night- I would want an event that is not messy, or nothing that would involve running around-- I wouldn't want kids to be sweaty by the time it was their turn.
I tink the only problem you might have is if they don't like how the photo turns out and they had to pay a sitting fee-- yu might get comlaints.
But I like this idea alot-- we also have a low income area- I'm going to check with local photographers or out of home photographers
Our school is low income with about 85% free or reduced lunch.
Do any of you forsee a problem if a parent does the pictures? I do this with my children every year as a "hobby" and save a ton of money.
I think this sounds like a great idea and thought about taking my 7 foot tree to school and decorating it (in they gym) for families to set by. I would check to see the prices at Wal-Mart and Walgreens to see how inexpensive I can make it for the families. I would throw in my time doing it for free.
