This past year has been one of immense change for schools and school photography companies. Industry consolidations mean less emphasis on the photography itself, the final products and services available, which is bad news for schools, students, and parents.
Let’s look at some of the changes we see in the industry and why Freed is more committed than ever to march to our drumbeat.
What the Industry Giants Are Doing
The industry’s big names embrace change – but not necessarily change that delivers benefits for schools or employees. One formerly employee-owned industry giant has been bought and sold multiple times in the past few years and is now part of a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate. The result is an emphasis on profitability and cost-cutting. We see big-name school photography companies reduce the commissions paid to schools, lowering the number of events covered, and cut service items such as ID cards, facebooks, stickers, calendars, and banners. Crucially, photographer training is also being cut, leading to one result – lower-quality school photography.
These trends send a ripple effect through the industry that means fewer options for schools and less certainty about quality and availability. But the good news is that there are other options out there.
Meanwhile, at Freed Photography
In contrast, at Freed, we remain true to our small, local, photographer-owned roots. We have deep roots in the communities we serve, and we genuinely value those connections and the ability to pay it forward within our local neighborhoods.
We often hear people commenting, “we didn’t even know there was another option,” or “you are different.” We truly value our work and take pride in setting a higher standard for school photography. You can get more from your school photography.
We understand that these are complex and uncertain times for schools. We are committed to paying our standard commissions and covering the wide-ranging calendar of events we’re known to service. We also continue to provide a full suite of service items, giving schools and students a comprehensive selection of options for celebrating and commemorating those special moments and milestones.
Perhaps most importantly, we continue to reinvest in our photographers with ongoing training and regular upgrades to our equipment, ensuring that we maintain our reputation as being at the forefront of the profession.
Don’t Settle!
Given the industry’s ongoing changes, there’s no better time to make the switch from the usual suspects to a local school photography company focused on quality and customer service.
At Freed, we specialize in naturalistic outdoor school portraits that capture your students’ personalities – and which become keepsakes you’ll cherish rather than set aside. Each student receives a variety of images with multiple poses, angles, and expressions. We’re ridding the world of boring school portraits.
We set out to shoot photos parents love. And what parents love, schools love. You’ll see the difference. Reach out today to learn more!
