Frequently Asked Questions
Professional Portraits for the People Who Make Your School Special
Your teachers and staff deserve professional portraits that represent them with the same care and quality you give your students. We provide a seamless, stress-free experience for your team, ensuring everyone looks their best while keeping the process efficient and organized. From individual headshots to group photos, we capture the heart of your school community. Request information today to learn more about our staff portrait services.
FOR SCHOOLS
We recommend scheduling PhotoDay 6–8 weeks in advance to allow enough time for planning, coordination, and school communications. In some cases, we can accommodate a shorter turnaround of 3–4 weeks.
To secure your preferred date, especially during the busy fall season, we encourage schools to make arrangements several months in advance.
Most Elementary and Preschool PhotoDays are completed before lunch. We intentionally overstaff our schools so students can move through efficiently with minimal disruption to the school day. The exact timing depends on enrollment, scheduling, and any special accommodations, but our goal is always to keep PhotoDay running smoothly and on schedule.
The number of photographers depends on the size of the school and the schedule for the day. Some school photography contracts allow as many as 250–300 students per camera per day. We prefer to staff closer to 150–200 students per camera, which helps keep lines moving, gives students a better experience, and minimizes disruption to the school day.
We also bring assistants as needed to help with organization, posing, and student flow. Our goal is to staff each PhotoDay appropriately so the main portion of photography can often be completed before lunch.
We try to make PhotoDay as easy on the school as possible. Before PhotoDay, we typically ask the school to provide a current student roster, a staff list with email addresses when available, and a schedule showing when each class or group should arrive.
The school will also need to provide an appropriate indoor space for photography, such as a gym, cafeteria, or multipurpose room, along with access early enough for our team to set up before students arrive.
To help with communication, we provide flyers and posters in both physical and digital formats that the school can share with families and staff. Our team handles the photography setup, equipment, student flow, and online ordering process.
We work with the school in advance to create a clear schedule and student flow plan so classes arrive at the photography area at the right time without creating long lines or unnecessary disruption.
On PhotoDay, our team includes photographers and assistants who help organize students, manage lines, assist with posing, and keep each photo area moving efficiently. We also intentionally staff at a lower student-to-camera ratio than many traditional school photography companies, which helps us move students through quickly while still giving each child the attention they need.
Our goal is simple: keep PhotoDay organized, efficient, and as easy on the school staff as possible.
No problem. When we schedule the main PhotoDay, we also work with school administrators to schedule a Makeup/Retake Day. This gives students who were absent, as well as those who may need a retake, another opportunity to be photographed.
We also work with school staff to identify which students still need to be photographed so the makeup process stays quick and organized.
Yes. We work with school administrators to schedule a Makeup/Retake Day when we schedule the main PhotoDay. This gives students who were absent another opportunity to be photographed and allows families to request a retake if needed.
Yes. Staff photos are included and can be scheduled before school, on the student PhotoDay, or on a separate staff/in-service day. Staff members photographed with us also receive a complimentary digital download.
Whether we produce the yearbook or you work with another provider, we will supply the student and staff portrait files needed for yearbook use.
Yes. We can provide student ID photos and printed ID cards. Cards can also include student information and barcodes when the necessary data is provided by the school.
We provide schools with physical and digital flyers, posters, and parent communications to help promote PhotoDay. After students are photographed, families receive an email with a direct link to their child’s private online gallery, where they can view images and place orders.
Yes. Our preferred ordering method is online only. Parents view and purchase photos through their child’s private online gallery, and orders are shipped directly to the family. This keeps the process simple and eliminates the need for schools to collect money or distribute photo packages.
Yes. Printed order forms can be made available upon request, although our preferred ordering method is online. Our research has shown that printed forms are used by only about 13% of families, and the printing and processing costs often outweigh the additional sales they generate.
Online ordering is faster and easier for families, requires less handling by the school, and also gives parents access to a wider selection of packages, print sizes, products, and background options.
We reserve up to two weeks after PhotoDay for galleries to be delivered online, although most are ready within just a few days. Once an order is placed, printed products are produced and shipped directly to the family according to the standard production and delivery timelines of our print and shipping partners.
Completed photo orders are shipped directly to the family’s home by our professional print and shipping partners. This eliminates the need for the school to sort, store, or distribute photo packages. (Mostly our lab uses USPS, but I believe upgrades are available with UPS, FedEx, etc.)
We work with preschools, elementary schools, and middle schools, providing photography programs that can be tailored to the size, schedule, and needs of each school.
We currently serve schools throughout Harford County, Baltimore County, Montgomery County, and Anne Arundel County, Maryland, and we continue to expand into additional areas.
Yes. In addition to traditional school portraits, we offer class and group photos, sports teams and individual portraits, graduation photography, club photos, school-wide groups, and special event photography. Programs can be customized based on the needs of each school.
Yes. We can customize packages, pricing, backgrounds, fundraising options, and photography services to fit the needs of an individual school. We have worked with schools to create packages specifically around their student population, family needs, and fundraising goals.
Our goal is to build a photography program that works for each school community rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
We understand that school schedules can change. If a PhotoDay needs to be rescheduled, we will work with school administrators to find the best available replacement date and adjust the schedule and family communications as needed.
FOR PARENTS
After PhotoDay, parents receive an email with a direct link to their child’s private online gallery. From there, you can view your child’s photos, choose from available backgrounds, packages, prints, and products, and place your order online. Completed orders are then shipped directly to your home.
Parents can place an order as soon as their child’s online gallery is available. Galleries are typically ready within a few days of PhotoDay, although we reserve up to two weeks for online delivery. Galleries do not expire, so families can return and order at any time.
Yes. We do not require prepayment before PhotoDay. We prefer families to see their child’s photos before deciding what to purchase.
Once the online gallery is available, parents can view the images, choose their favorites, and place an order. Galleries do not expire, so families can return and order at any time.
Payments are made securely through our online ordering system. Families can use major credit and debit cards, with all available payment options displayed at checkout.
Your child’s online gallery is typically available within a few days of PhotoDay, although we reserve up to two weeks for gallery delivery. Once you place an order, printed products are produced and shipped directly to your home according to the standard production and delivery timelines of our print and shipping partners.
Your photo order is shipped directly to your home, so you do not need to wait for the school to receive or distribute your pictures.
Yes. If you are not satisfied with your child’s photo, we will work with you to remake, retake, or refund your order. Retakes are typically completed on the school’s scheduled Makeup/Retake Day.
If your child misses PhotoDay, they can usually be photographed on the school’s scheduled Makeup/Retake Day. We work with the school to provide another opportunity for students who were absent.
Yes, when scheduling and school policies allow. Sibling photos are commonly offered at our preschools, where it is easier to coordinate children from the same family. At public schools, sibling photos are less common and depend on the school’s schedule, setup, and approval.
Yes. Digital image downloads are available for purchase through your child’s private online gallery, along with prints, packages, and other photo products.
Yes. Your child’s online gallery includes a variety of photo prints, packages, digital images, and specialty products. You can choose the options that work best for your family and place your order directly online.
Yes. Retouching options are available when you order, including standard retouching, teeth whitening, braces removal, and premium face retouching. We also offer glasses glare removal at no additional charge.
Yes. Because your child’s online gallery does not expire, you can return at any time to order additional prints, digital images, packages, or specialty products.
If you have a question about your order, please contact Little Red School House Photography directly. Most questions are answered personally by Jason Johnson, owner and chief photographer, so you’ll be speaking with someone who knows the school, the photography process, and your order.
PREPARING FOR PhotoDay
Wear something that makes you feel comfortable and confident. Solid colors and simple patterns tend to photograph well, and it’s usually best to avoid clothing with very large logos or distracting graphics. Most importantly, choose an outfit that reflects your child’s personality and that they’ll be happy to see in their photos.
Solid colors, subtle patterns, and clothing without large logos usually photograph best. We suggest avoiding very busy patterns, neon colors, and oversized graphics or lettering, as they can draw attention away from the student’s face. Most importantly, choose something your child feels comfortable and confident wearing.
Students should absolutely wear their glasses if that’s how they normally look and feel most comfortable. Our photographers will make small adjustments to posing and lighting to help minimize reflections. If glare still appears in the final image, we offer glasses glare removal at no additional charge.
There’s no need to do anything unusual. We recommend styling your child’s hair in a way that looks natural and familiar to them. A quick check before school to smooth flyaways, fix bangs, or tidy up their usual style is usually all that’s needed. Most importantly, choose a hairstyle your child feels comfortable and confident wearing.
Keep things simple and positive before PhotoDay, and avoid putting too much pressure on your child to “get the perfect smile.” Let them know they’ll meet a friendly photographer who will help them through the process. Because we provide extra staffing on PhotoDay, we’re able to slow down and spend a little more time with younger students or any child who needs extra reassurance before being photographed.
Usually, no. Students do not need to bring order forms, payment, or anything special with them on PhotoDay. For our preschool students, it’s perfectly fine to bring a favorite stuffed animal or special toy if it helps them feel more comfortable and relaxed during their photo. If your child wears glasses, braces, or has a favorite accessory they normally wear, they should simply come as they normally would. We want their portrait to look like them.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
Little Red School House Photography is a local, hands-on school photography company focused on service, flexibility, and personal relationships. We intentionally staff PhotoDays with more photographers and assistants so students can move through efficiently while still receiving individual attention. We also offer customized programs, flexible packages, fast gallery turnaround, direct-to-home ordering, and personal support for schools and families. One of the biggest differences is access: schools and parents have easy access to owner and chief photographer Jason Johnson, rather than having to work through a national call center. Our goal is to be more than a vendor — we want to be a responsive, accountable partner to the school community.
Our school photography program began in earnest in 2020, but our experience with school photography goes back much further. We photographed our first preschool in the early 1990s, giving us decades of photography experience to draw from as we continue to grow our school programs today.
We currently photograph approximately 7,000 students each year across the schools and programs we serve. As we continue to grow, our focus remains on providing the same personal service, efficient PhotoDays, and individual attention that schools and families expect from us.
We photograph students from babies and preschoolers through elementary and middle school, as well as teachers, administrators, and other school staff. Our approach is adjusted to fit the age, comfort level, and needs of each person we photograph.
Yes. In addition to traditional public schools, we work with private schools, preschools, early childhood programs, daycares, academies, and other educational organizations. We can tailor the photography program to fit the size, age range, schedule, and needs of each organization.
The easiest way to get started is to contact Little Red School House Photography directly. We’ll learn about your school, answer any questions, review your photography needs, and discuss available dates and program options. From there, we can build a plan that fits your school’s schedule, student population, and goals.