Why?

Ever recieved a holiday card with a family portrait inside? If you haven't, I bet your parents or someone you know has. It's a great way to send your best wishes during the holiday season. Only problem, these pictures can be pricey. If you offer to take photos for families in the community you can save them money while also donating the funds to a cause you care about.

Preparation

Find a camera (preferably digital) and a photographer. If you can't find a friend who will loan you one, find out if the school has any equipment or ask to borrow a camera from your local photo store- tell them it’s for a good cause.

Publicize! Ask students to bring home a flyer to their parents or post the information in the school bulletin. To get more of the big bucks, ask your friends if they want photos of their classmates to capture some great high school memories. You can even offer the service to teachers and administrators as well. Have interested participants sign up for a time to get their photo taken, that way no one will get stuck waiting around.

When and where? Find out if you can reserve a space in your school on a weekend, or choose a scenic area in the neighborhood. Make sure you time the photo shoot so that you can get some pictures when it’s still light out.

Make things clear. People want to know exactly what they are getting for their money. Offer a standard price to take 10 photos and an additional charge for extra shots.

Printing

My advice, don’t bother doing it. It could get super complicated if parents want all sorts of different sizes. Instead, upload the photos on your computer and email them to their owners. Make sure to include information about a nearby photoshop that will print the photos.