Scott Bliss Photography New Page page

Info for Coaches of School-Affiliated Teams

I'm a full-service team photographer, meaning that I bring not only camera skills but also high-quality and simple systems for collecting and fulfilling orders. I'm uniquely skilled in photography, lighting and computer systems, which allow me to quickly and efficiently capture high-end portraits, buddy shots, senior photos and more for your team and deliver them to families.

Families typically pay for official portraits; teams typically pay for banners and special services.

My popular school team services include:
- Athlete and coach individual portraits
- Buddy shots
- Senior Showcases (special photo sessions with seniors/MVPs for banners)
- Special event photography (senior night, etc)
- Hype videos and other video services
- Action shots

Most of my revenue comes from family pre-orders, so I depend on coaches and/or parent volunteers to distribute my pre-order form and information to families before picture day. I offer my best prices and quickest delivery to those families who pre-order. Strong pre-orders from families allow for the best possible photography experience for everyone.

Key Decision Points:

Working with me for the first time? I suggest a no-obligation phone consultation so I can learn about your team (size, number of seniors) and photography/videography needs. We'll decide on:
- An official portrait style
- A team photo style
- Any special events or products (senior night, senior banners, hype videos)

See below for more information on each decision point:

Official Portrait Styles

I'm experienced in shooting virtually any photo style for sports portraits. If you saw something cool on TikTok or Instagram and would like to repeat it, just ask! I'm equipped for just about anything. Below are some of my most popular styles for photographing the entire team. Special requessts? No problem -- Just ask!

Capturing outdoor portraits is popular, but it introduces the risks of wind and bad weather. Make-up photos will also be in a different style.

Shooting indoors at your team facility gives us the most lighting control, zero wind, and allows for more similar make-up photos for athletes who are unable to attend our main picture day.

(Indoor portraits are only practical for teams with 20 or more athletes)

Classic Outdoor

Captured outside, typically on your sport field.

We'll get a few poses of each athlete with recognizable features in the background (scoreboard, stadium, etc).

This can be riskier because of unpredictable weather (wind is generally our biggest enemy, especially for athletes with long hair)

See Samples

Bright White Indoor

Captured inside in a convenient location (cafeteria, hallway, lobby, gymnasium).

I bring all the lighting equipment needed to capture a clean, crisp look (even white uniforms!)

See Samples

Dark Indoor

Another clean and fun style that's popular with both boys and girls sports.

Can be set up in any indoor space without a lot of ambient lighting. It's a bit more dramatic than the bright white backdrop and provides a timeless, flattering look.

See Samples

Team Photo Styles

Team photos can be classic, where all athletes are photographed together, or composites, where I will use computer software to arrange the athletes and coaches using their best individual portraits.

Classic team photos take a bit more time on picture day and can only include athletes who are present. Smaller teams can be photographed on a field, but larger teams will need to be photographed on bleachers or another structure. I neither own nor use "risers" for traditional team photos (it's just not my style and they're too bulky and time consuming).

Composite photos are popular for many reasons. First, they ensure that everyone's best face is used. Next, they also save time on picture day because athletes are able to be excused after their individual portraits. Finally, they're great if an athlete with a make-up picture needs to be included. There is a one-time cost of $1.50 per person to produce a composite image.

Composite

Individual portraits are stitched together in Photoshop with a modern, customizable template.

$1.50 per person cost to produce.

Home

Traditional (Dugout)

Traditional photos are professionally lit to get nice lighting on all athlete and coach faces.

No cost to the team to capture the digital team photo.

Home

Traditional (Playing Field)

Perfect for smaller teams.

No cost to the team to capture the digital team photo.

Home

Special Add-On Services

Special photo and video services are typically team-paid, but I'm happy to accommodate anything that works for your team.

My "Senior Showcases" are popular with large teams who need special photos of their seniors for social media promotion, banners, etc.

I'm also often booked for Senior Night, photographing seniors and their families as they're honored by the team, capturing candid photos as well as professionally-lit family photos.

Action shots are popular for some sports as well. I generally earn between $350-600 per event, depending on the sport, for an album full of unrestricted digital hi-res images. Payment arrangements must be planned in advance; I do not photograph games "speculatively" with hopes of selling images to families after the game.

Senior Showcase

Capturing fun images of seniors for social media promotion, banners, and official team use, often in a different style than the official portraits.

Teams with 10+ seniors will sometimes arrange for a second photoshoot just for seniors.

Graphic design for senior banners is included (printing/shipping separate).

Pricing varies by setup:

- Separate indoor shoot: $700+

- Extra photos of seniors on our regular picture day: $45 per senior

- Graphic design only (no extra pics): $30 per senior

Note: Multiple sports can share a Senior Showcase for discounted prices.

Senior Celebrations

Many teams will choose to celebrate their seniors with their families at the end of their season. If hired I'll come with two cameras and professional lighting gear. I'll capture candid photos of seniors and their parents as they're announced and walk out. Then I'll softly direct them to a spot for a posed and professionally-lit family photo.

If booked in combination with a game at the same time, I'll generally not charge for senior night. From my experience these celebrations are held before a game or during halftime.

Otherwise, prices start at $300 for a 1-hour minimum.

Action Shots

Action shots are important assets for teams for many reasons:

- Sharing with local media outlets

- Social media promotion

- Team banquets

- Yearbook contributions

- Family keepsakes

I shoot games in an editorial style, meaning that I capture not only the fast action, but tell stories with important shots from before, during, and after the competition, on the sidelines, etc. I try to cover all athletes -- not just the starters.

Whether team-paid, family-paid, or something in the middle, payment in full for the game(s) will release all photos for unrestricted download by all athletes and their families.

I'm well equipped for high-end action shots in virtually any lighting conditions.

FAQs

Here are some of the most common questions I get from parents and coaches

Is there an up-front cost to the team for photo services?

Generally speaking, no. But for small teams, I may ask for a minimum order guarantee from the team before scheduling, especially if an indoor setup is requested.

What is the cost to families for pictures?

My most popular pre-order package is $30, which includes a single print and all of the digital photos captured of one athlete, including buddy shots. This usually results in 5-10 images per athlete.

I offer pre-order packages to families that start at $25 and go all the way up to $100+ depending on print quantities. I ship these directly to families via US mail.

Are families required to pre-order their pictures?

No, but pre-orders are strongly encouraged. Historically 95% of my family revenue comes from pre-orders.

Photos for athletes who did not preorder will usually be available for sale on my website 2-3 weeks after picture (at higher prices, too).

What are my responsibilities as a coach?

Ideally, we'll come up with a plan before the season starts so that I can leave you alone when you're busy coaching!

Aside from choosing your services and scheduling picture day(s), my most important request for coaches and/or team volunteers is to send a few messages to athletes' families prior to picture day with my ordering info and instructions. I'm happy to assist however I can (printing flyers, writing short blurbs, etc).

What's your photo delivery timeline?

I have a reputation for delivering my team photos quickly.

I promise to deliver pre-ordered digital images within two weeks, but I typically deliver them within a week. Pre-ordered prints are promised within 6-8 weeks of picture day.

I have a systematic and disciplined approach to fulfilling digital and print orders for families.

Do you offer make-up photos?

Generally, yes, but with some limitations.

My standard pricing for official portraits and team photos assumes a single visit to your school for photos. If some athletes are absent on picture day, it's not practical to return to the school on another day with all of my gear.

I will often photograph multiple teams at the same school, so athletes are welcome to stand for make-up photos on other days when I'm photographing other teams at the same school. Families need to just ask.

I also offer make-up appointments on designated "studio days" during school sports season at my home-based studio in Sparks, NV (Wingfield Springs area). There is no cost for a make-up photo for athletes who pre-ordered. Athletes who did not pre-order must pay a $40 fee for a make-up appointment, which will include the digital photos captured during the appointment.

I try to accommodate reasonable requests for make-up photos, but I still strongly encourage athletes to participate on the scheduled day.