Most people would rather work on their taxes than handle group and team pictures for the yearbook. It can be tedious. Group shots are an important historical reference. Below are 10 things to consider when dealing with club and team pictures.
1. Head Sizes
If you need a magnifying glass to see a face, or if the heads are smaller than a pencil eraser, the picture is too small (or the group is too large).
2. Big Groups
If the group is huge, break it up into smaller groups. For example, divide the band into sections such as woodwinds, brass, percussion, etc. This will help keep the head sizes from becoming tiny and it will make the spread easier to design. (When the football coach and band director protest, take a large group photo for their wall.
3. Cropping
Eliminate unnecessary backgrounds and foregrounds. Crop as tight as possible, so every face is visible.
4. Labels
The group picture needs to be labeled so that it is clear what group or team it is.
5. Captions
Everyone in the picture should be identified by first and last name. The rows should be labeled (and in bold): Front Row, Second Row, Third Row, Back Row. Place a comma between every name and a period at the end of each row.
6. Officers/Captains
Positions should be in parentheses after the name and in lower case (AP style): Jane Smith (adviser), Bob Brown (president), Sally Jones (captain).
7. Design
Team/group picture pages should be designed to match the rest of the book. If they are in the reference section, consider including facts about the club, listing the officers, and other details that make the year special. Include group and individual recognition and important events (with dates).
8. Scoreboards
Even though it can be difficult to wrestle scores from the JV basketball coach, include a scoreboard (and season record) for every team on campus.
9. Props/Poses
No trombones or basketballs in the photos; they are distracting. Props can make pictures difficult to crop. Unusual poses may also cause problems with cropping and identification.
10. Other Considerations
Add something more to group shot pages. Consider including quick reads, modules that provide additional coverage. Make sure to tie secondary coverage into the verbal/visual look and tone of the theme concept.
There you go. Ten small steps and you’re on your way to great group or team pictures.
It’s in the details. By following 10 simple steps, you will create an interesting historical reference. How many people can say that for their taxes?
