How do our fundraisers work?
Step One: Choose a Date
Our experience indicates that weekends are usually the best time as this enables families to all be present, as it is less likely one parent or another is working. Speak to us about making a booking which will suit your school best.
Step Two: Distribute Information
This is the most important step. The most common reason for lower numbers at your portrait fundraiser is that families didn’t know it was on! We can supply a range of hard copy and digital marketing materials, including brochures, posters, Facebook posts, emails, newsletter items and pretty much anything else you can think of. We will have it all done for you, and all you need to do is distribute the advertising! We recommend you keep reminding families via Facebook or email, right up to the last day before the fundraiser.
Step Three: Take Bookings
From this point on, we will mostly handle everything! We now use a simple online booking system to handle all of the appointments and payments for you. Families simply visit our website, select their school, choose their time and pay for their sitting. Families will receive email or text message confirmation of their appointment time, as well as information on package prices and some special tips to get the most out of their session. Parents will also receive a text message reminder before their session, to ensure maximum show-up rate on the day.
Step Four: Photography Day
We will arrive about half an hour before the first appointment to set up our studio. We just need an indoor space with access to power and a clear area, around 3mx3m. Suitable spaces are usually Libraries, staff rooms, meeting rooms, school hall, or class rooms (During Term 1 or term 4, we prefer an air-conditioned space, as no one likes sweaty family photos). We will handle reception and photography, arrange any additional orders and manage appointments. We do require a volunteer from your organisation to be present for health and safety reasons, however this could be a rotating role so that no one has to be there for the whole day.
Step Five: Gallery viewing, sales and fundraising
Galleries will be ready for families to view usually within 48 hours of their sitting. Families will receive an email and SMS letting them know how to access their gallery, how to use any credit, and how to choose and order their photos. Digital files will be available for immediate download once payment is received, and any print orders will be mailed directly to families.
We will be in touch in the week following photos to arrange payment of your fundraising monies.