Yvette and I were talking today about simple ways to get permissions from families to blog or post pictures of their children from class.
As you all get more comfortable and adept at using video--and I can see that you are--you could incorporate a photo release form into your registration process.
Why?
Build community. Through photos, images, and videos you can create a virtual Kindermusik community online as families come back to see the class experience through a different lens.
Get your families involved. Something about being a parent brings out the photographer in everyone. Though some families are still cautious about posting their child's pictures online (a request that should always be respected) other families are more than happy to share. See if they'd be willing to flex some creative talents in your classroom.
Link to their flickr or online photo albums. If your families have flickr accounts, ask if you can feature some family photos.
Smart marketing. If a picture says 1,000 words, photos of your families having fun in class will say more than any Web site can.
Choose wisely. Post pictures with a little style, humor, or flair, and it will show how serious you are about putting music and children in the best possible light.
Friday, January 18, 2008
You must have been a beautiful baby
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3 comments:
For the last two years, I have had a photo release at the bottom of my registration forms, both hard copy and online, that parents must complete, stating yes or no, their wishes about photos of their children and themselves, and then sign.
Amazingly enough, those few who decide not to grant permission have sometimes changed their minds and came back to tell us that they would like to see pictures of their children used after all after viewing a photo of one of their child's classmates on my website or blog.
I've also started something new in my classes. I've begun turning my digital camera on right as class starts and leaving it on a high shelf during class. I've told my parents that if they'd like to capture a special moment in class to feel free to use my camera. It's not hard to operate. We'll see how things progress this next semester. I'll let you know how things turn out. :-)
And, yes, *absolutely* - those pictures are sometimes worth their weight in gold for creating good PR and marketing results. I have an interesting mix of cultures in one of my OT classes. Besides American, there are Chinese, German, Brasilian, and Russian families. And some of these families have passed along links of photos to extended family overseas. They *love* having this available to them and have told their friends. :-)
Nice Merri.
The camera option is great, too. And it doesn't seem like it distrupts the bonding between parent and child. I wonder about the research on the parent and child bond that happens when a picture is taken? I wonder if anything else is captured in a photographed?
Thanks for sharing your experience, and I look forward to seeing more.
Nice Merri.
The camera option is great, too. And it doesn't seem like it distrupts the bonding between parent and child. I wonder about the research on the parent and child bond that happens when a picture is taken? I wonder if anything else is captured in a photographed?
Thanks for sharing your experience, and I look forward to seeing more.
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