School Photography | Bakersfield
Fine Art School Portraits
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My goal is to provide a personal, professional, and boutique photo experience for students and families of schools who choose Heather Wheaton Photography for their school photos.
Fine Art School Portraits are quite different from what school pictures used to look like. I aim to capture your child’s authentic personality in a way that doesn’t feel like a forced smile. No silly props or backgrounds. Just beautiful images you will love for years to come. Each kiddo receives 2-5 images in their gallery, in BOTH color and black & white!
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I am local to Bakersfield and not a big box photo company. When you book with me, you are supporting a local, woman owned, small business.
Along with that, comes the customer service you would expect from a local business! I am known for providing comprehensive and personable communication to my clients. I make every effort to ensure your school picture day experience is organized and smooth as possible. When you have questions, you talk directly with me and not a customer service representative or computer bot. I also offer competitive pricing for parents, and it doesn’t cost the school anything to have me come in and take photos! Parents can purchase print packages, digital images, or a la carte items after viewing pictures online. Families enjoy direct-to-home delivery within four weeks of picture day.
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I understand how to work with children and know how to help them come out of their shell.
Aside from being a photographer, I also have my BA in Child, Adolescent & Family Studies (CAFS), from CSU Bakersfield. I have a lengthy experience working with kiddos from all demographics and populations, from preschoolers to teens. I am also a mother of four girls and a “Grammie” to twins! It is my absolute joy to connect with kids in front of my lens. I do not force smiles. I seek to capture only natural expressions meant to convey your child’s true personality on camera. Some kiddos are a ham in front of the camera; some are shy, while others are serious. All types of expressions are PERFECT for Fine Art School Portraits! I love the pensive gaze into the lens of my camera, just as much as the irresistible giggles!
How does ordering work for school families?
All ordering is done online through secure galleries for families to purchase photos. There’s no paper order forms to distribute or waste. Online galleries are organized by grade, classroom, homeroom, or other school-relevant groupings.
What makes Fine Art Portraits different from traditional school photography?
I choose to use a simple and classic solid colored background, allowing the child to be the absolute focus of the photo. Each child receives 2-5 images in their gallery both in color and black and white. Families can choose which photos they want to order, as opposed to a singular pose and image selected for them. I also offer for sale digital images for limitless self printing.
For schools that are interested, I also offer sibling portrait sessions. These special portrait sessions always occur in the morning just before the regular picture day schedule begins, so as not to interrupt your school schedule.
What does ordering and delivery look like?
Online Ordering with Direct-to-Home Delivery in four weeks from picture day. I provide every piece of equipment to completely manage your photo day.
What do you offer the school?
I provide each school with (free) high-resolution digital files of the photos for use in yearbooks, websites, school advertising, IDs, and other uses.
I take care of any parent and family inquiries about ordering and products.
I also offer for FREE: Professional Staff Headshots, Staff IDs, and ONE HOUR of commercial photography documenting your school day. This is a fantastic tool to use on your school’s website and social media to attract more families to your school!
What size school can you work with?
I can accommodate schools with as few as 50 children to as many as 1,000. No school is too small for me to offer Fine Art School Portraits for their kiddos.
Will your images be expensive for our school families?
Digital images, prints and other photo products are competitively priced with no up-front costs; profits are based on orders only. Collections and a-la-carte options offer something for everyone. My packages start at $20 and go up to $75, with a-la-carte options starting at $10.
When do you usually schedule school photos?
I personally schedule each school's picture day at any point in the school year. Some schools prefer photos to be done twice a year at Fall and Spring, and some prefer school picture day to be held once a year. The frequency is up to you! I’m here to serve and happy to do so!
How long are the pictures accessible to the parents?
Pictures will be accessible to the parents for a period of two weeks. Parents will be informed of their gallery expiration date. At the end of the two weeks, the gallery will close. During the time their galleries are open, parents will have the option to purchase print products and/or purchase and download single images or their entire gallery.
How long will the School have access to the digitals?
The School will have access to the digitals year round. The school will be given a dedicated gallery just for you to access throughout the school year. It will expire at the end of the school year.
Is there a "Set up fee" for the School or any other flat rate fee for the School?
There is never a "set up fee" for the school. My services are completely free on picture day.
A classic way to take modern school portraits.
“I am thrilled with the way Heather was able to capture the many expressions of Arwen “Winnie” during her photo session! Not only was Heather so sweet and amazing with Winnie, she welcomed us and made us both feel comfortable and captured these and many more silly and sweet expressions. Go to Heatherwheatonphoto.com and book a session! She is not only an amazing person, but a super talented photographer too!! Thank you so much Heather we will cherish these forever.” -Sarah M.
“I see my children every day, so I see them as my babies. I don’t notice the daily maturing or changes. Seeing the photos you take, helps me see them the way you see them, and it helps me see how much they’ve grown. Thank you to Heather, you captured my babies! I can’t get over these!”
-Janelle M.
Now Booking Schools for the 2024-2025 School Year
Interested in offering Fine Art School Portraits for your school?
Contact us here using the form below.
