Like
a telephoto lens, too often we get in the habit of so narrowly focusing on our
own core group of friends, our own clubs and organizations, or our own
interests and ideas, that we miss the big picture of what unites us and brings
us all together. That goes for how we
interact in everyday life, and how we capture and document that life each and every
day at school.
Yearbook isn't just about certain groups of
friends, or the athletic teams, or the students who always find their way in
front of the camera; it's about the memories of your entire school sharing both common and unique experiences. As photojournalists (both studio photographers
and student yearbook staff photographers), we must remind ourselves to zoom out
and take a wide angle view of our surroundings.
Make sure to capture the
things that bring your student body together,
and to represent ALL student groups and organizations equally with your photos
and layouts. Here are some ideas how...
1. Create layouts for things that unify your students,
your school, and your community. Not
just sporting events, but school picnics, fundraisers, benefits, color runs,
spirit week, homecoming, etc. Don't have
any school-wide events that bring everyone together? Plan one!
Instead of your typical "Buddy Photos", how about the first
annual yearbook sponsored Meet and Greet Photo Booth, where students are randomly
paired with other students they don't know for a fun photo that goes in the
yearbook? Have them bring props that demonstrate their interests. They could even trade them with the other
person for the picture.
2. Get a list of all clubs and organizations early
in the year so you can make sure they're all included. Then reach out to each club advisor, or any students
in the club, and ask about a schedule of any big events or meetings they might
have throughout the year. Assign a staff
photographer, or ask someone in the club to take pictures at one or more of
those events so you'll have plenty of candid photos to include in an individual
layout for that organization, or in pages throughout the book.
3. Solicit the help of all students to submit photos for the yearbook, and don't discard
photos or layout ideas just because it's not something you're interested in. Maybe have a photo contest with a school unity
theme, and give away a free yearbook for the winner.
4. Finally (and this is a hard one), ask yourself
the question...How diverse and inclusive is my yearbook staff? That can mean many things...ethnic diversity,
gender diversity, economic diversity, social diversity, diversity of ideas, and
even grade level diversity. If different
groups are not represented on your yearbook staff, then it's possible the
yearbook won't be representative of those different groups. If that's the case, make an effort to search
out the ideas and opinions of others who aren't on yearbook so everyone is
involved.
So put on that wide angle lens and capture a year
for ALL to remember!
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