Scholastic Portrait Information

Why MXM Photography?

School picture day is one every parent either looks forward to or hates every. single. year. Let MXM help your school forever love picture day. Not only will we work very closely with the staff to create a fun and relaxed portrait session for each child. Parents never have to decide how many photos they will purchase before they see the images. I utilize an easy online ordering system, where parents can browse their children’s portraits and place orders at their leisure.

We are happy to create a personalized fundraiser in order to maximize our contribution back. Complimentary staff photos and yearbook files are always included to make the most painful parts, simple and pain-free!

How does it work?

The process is simple: all aspects of the portrait experience are handled by me, including parent communication, online viewing and ordering, print fulfillment, payment, and customer service.
After discussing your needs, a setup will be chosen (traditional or green screen) and we’ll set up a portrait date. Depending on the number of participants, this may include multiple photographers and stations. A contract, question form, and roster template will be sent to fill out and that’s it. From there your job is finished! You will be given a poster to hang/ digital image to share to announce photo day.
On Picture Day, we will set up at the desired location, and the children will be escorted by one of your staff to the portrait location. Several poses will be taken of each child. Every child will be photographed regardless of whether they plan to order!
Not long after Picture Day, photos will be ready for online viewing and ordering in private, password-protected galleries. Orders are then either batch shipped to the school or delivered directly to the purchaser’s home via the lab.

Each child is offered the chance to do a “silly pose” after their portraits. Sometimes the teachers get in on it too!
*Ask about customized ID cards options!

Planning Portrait Day

Contact me at mande@magicbymande.com or by using the Contact Form to check on availability. Magic By Mande Photography photographs in Wichita Falls, Burkburnett, Holliday, and surrounding areas.

I am comfortable photographing all ages including PreK and 3K!

I can do a traditional blue or brown or offer a background knockout where parents can choose their background! I am also able to take offer outdoor photos, pending weather and location!

Absolutely! Let me know what kind of fundraiser you’re hoping for and I will happily work out a price list that works for everyone!

Definitely! Take a look at the sports options above!

100%! I am happy to create up to two ID cards per student as well as staff IDs/badges!

Absolutely! I will happily export a PSPA file for your yearbook advisor and depending on the yearbook creator you use, I may be able to upload it for you with editor access!

Yes! I am licensed with the state of TX, city of Wichita Falls, and insured through the Professional Photographers of America!

During Portrait Day

Whenever is the most convenient! That could be at an evening practice or on a game day. I prefer to maximize the number of participants and minimize the number of times I need to set up and tear down.

Each child should take no more than 45 seconds to get their photo taken. QR cards will be located as the child steps up for their portraits by the photographer’s assistant  The card is scanned by the photographer, several poses are taken and that’s it!

Each child has the choice of two poses at three angles (plus a silly face) for a total of four poses per child. Parents may choose one, none, a handful or all poses when ordering. 

After Portrait Day

Each team receives a beautiful, easy-to-use online website that showcases each child’s photos in individually password-protected online galleries. Parents order right there in the gallery; it’s even easy to view sibling galleries and check out all at once!

If some parents need assistance with online ordering or prefer to pay via cash or money app, please have them contact me for assistance.

Orders are sent directly to the lab and will be shipped directly to the purchaser’s home usually within one week of ordering. Digitals are available for download immediately (within a few hours).

Absolutely! I do request a minimum of ten students to come and set up. If there are less than ten children, they are more than welcome to stop by the studio for their portraits!

Online ordering accepts all major credit cards. For families that do not have online ordering access, payment can be made via Venmo, cash app, cash, or money order.

Of course! Have these parents contact Mande for assistance!

Parent Frequently Asked Questions

I do not require you to pre-order before seeing the images. You’ll make your selections in an online gallery a few days after the portrait date!

Online ordering accepts all major credit cards via Stripe. For families that do not have online ordering access, payment can be made via Venmo, Cash App, cash, or money order. 

Yes! Digital files are made immediately available for download as soon as I process the order.

One of the wonderful things about the online gallery is that anyone with the passcode (or forwarded link) can place an order. If your family members are out of state or not local, they can still have their orders shipped directly to them!

Absolutely! You will be sent a proofing gallery to view the images. All ordering is done online via a password-protected gallery. There is no pre-printing or viewing at pickup to purchase. 

Orders are sent directly to the lab and shipped directly to the school or to your door! They usually arrive within about a week later.

Check with your school to see if there is a retake day scheduled. We may be coming back! If not, for any child who was not photographed, check the reshoot option and book a spot at the local studio!

Take a look at the Parent Ambassador Program. It has rewards for parents whose teams/leagues book a portrait session with me, and it’s super easy to do!

If your child’s school has selected MXM Photography to capture school portraits, rest assured that the experience will be comfortable, friendly, and fun!
  • DISCUSS PICTURE DAY, BUT DON’T STRESS YOUR CHILD OUT
    There’s no need to remind your child to smile, stand up tall, or keep their eyes open. (In fact, these types of instructions often make the process worse, because the child tries to do everything perfectly instead of just being natural in front of the camera!) I will do my absolute best to get those natural, genuine smiles you crave. I will have pose banners to help with ideas and move as quickly as possible.
    *If you have special instructions, please let me know by email.
  • Clothing
    Dress your child in freshly laundered, unwrinkled clothing. Layers are great! Let them be themselves and comfortable!
  • Hair
    Avoid getting a haircut the day before to ensure the hair has time to blend. I also suggest wearing hair down or partially down as back braids or low ponytails are often hard to see in the portraits.