I mentioned recently that thinking of the college market as merely “College Grad Photography” is like seeing only the tip of the iceberg! Here’s another example: wrapping your mind around the rhythms of both your college’s academic calendar and the holiday calendar will set you up for massive success. Seasonal events for college students present unique opportunities for you as a photographer to plan, promote, and profit from them if you play your cards right! Here’s how you can maximize your opportunities throughout the college year by aligning your photography services with the rhythm of campus life.

1. Understanding the Academic Calendar

Did you know most colleges publish their academic calendar years in to the future?

• Fall Semester Kick-off: The excitement of move-in day is often followed by things like Recruitment and Sylly Week. These are full of fresh faces, new beginnings, and endless opportunities for connecting with new clients!
• Homecoming: This fall event is packed with alumni, tailgating parties, parades, and football games, offering a range of dynamic photo opportunities.
• Study Days: Also referred to as “Reading Days” or “Dead Days,” these are days at the end of the semester where there are no classes scheduled! Designed to be used for studying for Finals, Study Days often create opportunities for college students to have a little fun and relieve stress before Finals week!

2. Making the Holidays Happy

College students love a cute seasonal photo op! Here are a few I’ve seen a lot of success with:

• Christmas: best scheduled in late November/early December
• Valentine’s/Galentine’s: best scheduled in late January/early February
• Easter: best scheduled in early March, but may vary from year to year based on where Easter falls.

3. Mini Session Madness

To truly capitalize on these rhythms, Mini Sessions can be your best friend! If you’re not familiar with Mini Sessions, these are quick, cost-effective sessions (think 10 minutes), scheduled back-to-back-to-back during key seasons (back to school, etc) to attract friend groups looking for cute photos to commemorate each occasion:

• Welcome Freshmen: These minis are for freshman friend groups only, allowing you to connect with the newest students on campus!
• Sorority Families: Once Recruitment is in the rear-view mirror, new members are welcomed into their sorority family, where they get a “Big”, a “GBig” and a “GG Big.”
• Holiday Minis: Any of the occasions mentioned above are the perfect opportunity for Mini Sessions!

In my experience, friend groups of at least 4 are best for creating a high-fun experience for your clients, and a high-profit opportuntiy for you!

4. Mom’s Weekends

99% of our college grad clients are female, because ladies love photos! This is true for Moms, too! Collaborating with sororities to plan photo ops around Mom’s Weekends each semester will get students AND their Moms looking forward to working with you year after year!

5. Staying Prepared and Adaptable

The unpredictable nature of college events, especially outdoors, requires being ready to flex at the last minute!

• Weather Contingency Plans: I don’t know how the weather is where you are, but Texas can be crazy unpredictable! Always have a backup plan for outdoor shoots. Being prepared will ensure you still deliver quality service!
• Flexible Scheduling: Allow some flexibility in your booking calendar for last-minute changes typical of college events, such as date shifts or venue changes.

Conclusion

Maximizing your relationship with the students on your local college campus means more than just taking great photos… it’s about strategic planning, effective marketing, and creating services that capitalize on key moments in the college annual rhythm! By understanding the academic calendar, making the holidays happy, embracing the power of mini sessions, and catering to the strengh of family connections, you can ensure a steady flow of business throughout the college year! And guess what? ALL of this helps build brand loyalty when it’s time for each of these students and friend groups to graduate!