COVID-19 Updates for our Photographers
As Covid-19 continues to be an issue within institutions of higher education, guidelines remain in place to control the spread of the virus. All of GreekYearbook’s photoshoot procedures and guidelines from Fall 2020 will remain in place until further notice.
Please re-familiarize yourself with our Photoshoot Health and Safety Policies. Please also re-familiarize yourself with the updated procedure (from 8/3/3030) which eliminates the need to show students photos. The procedure below explains the change from having students pick their favorite photo to having the last photo taken being chosen Composite photo. The health and safety of our photographers and clients have always been and will continue to be the number one priority of GreekYearbook.
Updated as of 2/12/2021
We have big procedural news about composites. Moving forward until further notice we will no longer be showing the students their images at shoots. As we have said and promised we have taken some of our photographers’ concerns and come up with workaround solutions to further the safety measures and reducing the social distancing concerns. We have updated the health and safety page to reflect this.
New at Composite Photoshoots
You will only be taking a minimum of 4 photos, 1 to the right, 1 straight on, 1 to the left and then the student will take 1 more in any direction they want for the composite. The last photo in their range will be the one on the composite. You will verbally tell the student their range number and have them write it on their sheet. There will be no need to have the student write anything in the chosen photo box. It will remain blank. You are not required to show the students their images. This should allow there to be a constant 6 foot distance from you and the student at all times.
Important- it is up to the photographer to make sure the last photo taken of each student is a great shot. Prior to taking the last shot make sure they are aware the last photo will be the one going on the composite. Take as many photos as needed to make sure the last one is best suited for the composite. Check to make sure they did not blink or are doing anything else that would cause them to not like the photo. If they are wearing a drape or a jacket and tie make sure everything is being properly worn. If you noticed anything that would make for a better overall look let them know. For example, suggest they smile or fix their hair. Since we are maintaining social distance and not helping them make adjustments – it may be helpful to bring a mirror so they can see and make their own necessary adjustments.
Updated as of 8/3/2020
Bid Day Update
Due to the continued concerns over Covid-19, GreekYearbook has made the difficult decision to cancel all Fall 2020 Bid Day photoshoots. With facing this difficult decision, we chose to err on the side of safety first. We took a lot of things into consideration before making this call. After looking at each state and national organization’s guidelines, as well as guidelines issued by the CDC, we felt there was no way to move forward with business as usual.
We have been reaching out to chapters over the last few months to plan for Fall Bid Days. We have had a variety of responses ranging from “we will not be on campus and are having a virtual Bid Day” to “we plan on proceeding with Bid Day like usual.” The plethora of varied responses have led us to believe that many chapters may be misinformed or are holding on to false hope. The vast majority of our clients have expressed they have no idea what is going to happen with Bid Day and may still not know up until a week before the date.
As a company, we feel that it is not a good practice to have our photographers hold a date for our photoshoots to then be canceled a week or 2 beforehand. The likelihood of Bid Day photoshoots occurring as planned is very small therefore, we wanted to make sure our photographers would not turn down other jobs only to have our photoshoots canceled in the end.
Although we are currently cancelling all Bid Day shoots, we are still allowing chapters to recommit and request us to photograph them but only if they can provide us with actual proof they have official authorization from someone in a position of authority stating Bid Day is going to happen and they are allowed to gather in large groups. The only way we feel comfortable with even allowing this to happen is by going paperless. If there are any chapters that are able to meet our criteria they will also be required to sign an agreement for us stating that due to Covid-19 concerns we will only be able to do the photoshoots contact free and socially distant. This means no forms. They will have to either sign up for a gold service, or be put on a minimum with online forms.
Please remove all Bid day photoshoots from your calendar, we will reach back out to those photographers who have some of the few chapters which meet all our criteria. If you do end up having an in person Bid Day photoshoot, we will follow up with more instruction on how we plan to execute the photoshoot in these conditions. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Composite Update
Greekyearbook is planning on having the biggest Composite semester ever. With our new guidelines, we are able to create a safe work environment for both our photographers and our clients. Unlike Bid Day, we are able to operate in a controlled environment and can restrict the amount of people gathering in one place. Although we feel like we are creating a safe work environment, each photographer needs to assess their own comfort levels and let us know of any concerns they may have ASAP.
In addition to our guidelines, we encourage our photographers to go above and beyond to ensure their safety to a level they are comfortable with. Our guidelines are the minimum requirements. As a reminder, the face shields are not required, so please use them at your own discretion. However face masks are required. Again, if there is anything that makes you feel uncomfortable or if there is anything that you feel would make things better, please let us know. We are always open for suggestions and encourage an open dialog. If you missed it here is a link to our Covid photoshoot policies. https://www.greekyearbook.com/photoshoot-health-safety-best-practices
Updated as of 7/16/2020
As the situation surrounding Coronavirus (COVID-19) unfolds, businesses across the globe continue to adjust. All non-essential businesses in the state of Maryland have closed and GreekYearbook staff continues to operate remotely.
The majority of photoshoots that were originally scheduled prior to the start of this pandemic through the end of Spring semester are being postponed. We are actively working on moving affected photoshoots to the Fall semester. We greatly appreciate you and your patience through the unprecedented scheduling changes that have occurred due to campus closures.
We plan to get a headstart on scheduling photographers for our Fall photoshoots earlier than usual. We will have a large influx of photoshoots in the Fall due to postponing hundreds from Spring. We expect to begin rescheduling as soon as April or May (when the world gets back to normal).
In an effort to combat COVID-19 and assist our healthcare workers, our sister company, Nations Photo Lab, has repurposed one of our production facilities in Maryland to manufacture face shields. We will be donating $100,000 in face shields to hospitals and healthcare workers in need. If you know of any hospitals in need of protective equipment or would like more information visit: https://www.nationsphotolab.com/ppe
Updated as of 3/27/2020
In order to contain the spread of COVID-19, universities across the country have decided to close for the semester or continue classes online for various amounts of time. At this time GreekYearbook staff is also working from home and monitoring the situation closely.
There is no greater priority than the safety and well being of our customers and photographers. With the continuous changes and increased severity of the situation, we feel it’s essential to take a proactive approach and cancel all scheduled photoshoots from 3/16/2020 through 4/12/2020. We will continue to send updates as we get more information.
Barring any major changes, we are working hard to reschedule these canceled photoshoots later during the spring semester or in the fall semester. We understand that canceling photoshoots will financially impact each and every one of our photographers as well as GreekYearbook. Our scheduling team’s goal continues to be rescheduling as many photoshoots as soon as possible.
Please refer to your GYB Focus account for the latest updated information regarding your scheduled photoshoots. If a photoshoot has been canceled you should also receive a separate email regarding that specific shoot. We will continue to update this page as the situation develops. For any additional questions, please contact the photo department.
Regretfully we have had to make some very tough decisions regarding cancelations that impact all of us. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate this constantly evolving event. Please stay safe and healthy!
Updated as of 3/16/2020
As I’m sure you are aware, university institutions across the entire country are taking drastic measures to contain the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). Several of these approaches will impact a large amount of GYB photoshoots. It’s important to note, the overwhelming majority of these schools are taking precautionary measures and there are no instances of the Coronavirus on campus.
Our scheduling team has the overwhelming task of trying to stay on top of all scheduled photoshoots and any associated cancellations and postponements as the situation continues to change by the hour. Out of an abundance of caution, many universities have begun implementing measures to prevent and reduce the spread and transmission of COVID-19. Several have chosen to practice social distancing by suspending face-to-face instruction and moved all courses online for the remainder of the semester. Given the timing of this situation, other universities have chosen to extend their scheduled spring break or temporarily close until April. For schools that have chosen to take these approaches, GreekYearbook is having to cancel/postpone their shoots until April or later in 2020.
Although GreekYearbook typically charges our clients a fee associated with the cancellation of a scheduled photoshoot, given the drastic nature of the circumstances, we have taken the stance that we will be waiving all cancellation/postponement fees. As we are forced to make the difficult decision to cancel several of our Spring photoshoots, we understand that the financial impact will be felt not only in our GreekYearbook offices but by each and every one of our photographers. Our scheduling team’s goal continues to be rescheduling as many photoshoots later this Spring or to the upcoming fall semester as soon as possible.
Moving forward, please direct any questions to the photo department first so the scheduling team can continue to monitor the situation as it changes at all of the universities. We aim to be completely transparent and provide information as the situation changes.
As a company, there continues to be no greater priority than the safety and well being of our customers, employees, and photographers. We greatly appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this unprecedented global event.
Updated as of 3/13/2020
There is no greater priority than the safety and well being of our customers, employees, and photographers. We’re in regular communication with our customers to stay ahead of the evolving situation concerning the Coronavirus. It’s important to us that you feel confident and safe while performing a photoshoot for GreekYearbook.
Out of an abundance of caution, many universities have begun social distancing measures by suspending face-to-face instruction to prevent and reduce the spread and transmission of COVID-19. If one of the schools you are scheduled to photograph implements this measure, you will be notified immediately.
Should you experience flu-like symptoms or symptoms similar to COVID-19, please contact our office ASAP. If you have any upcoming photoshoots we may opt to reschedule those photoshoots. If our customers experience flu-like symptoms or symptoms similar to COVID-19, we are asking them to stay at home and to notify us immediately.
During photoshoots, we suggest that you take a break and wash your hands every 20 min. If you have hand sanitizer, please apply it often. We know hand sanitizer is hard to come by, but if you have a bottle you’re willing to bring on location, please include the cost on your next invoice.
We will continue to monitor the situation as it develops, maintaining regular contact with our customers, educational institutions, and photographers. We’ve prepared to navigate these new and challenging circumstances as they present themselves. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding during this unprecedented event. Our goal is to reschedule every shoot canceled due to this situation to either later in the current semester or to the upcoming fall semester.
Thank you for your patience, and please be safe.
Updated as of 3/12/2020