Elevate Your Yearbook Photography with This Free Training

As yearbook advisers, we know photography is the backbone of a visually stunning yearbook. But capturing those impactful, award-winning images can be daunting, especially for programs without a dedicated photography curriculum. Fortunately, there’s a free training resource that can help you and your students take your yearbook photography to new heights.

In this comprehensive training video, you’ll learn proven strategies and techniques from Clint Smith, an expert high school photojournalism adviser. With over 20 years of experience, Clint has honed a system that consistently produces exceptional student photographers, and he’s sharing his secrets with you.

The Expert Behind the Training: Clint Smith

Clint Smith is the photography and online media adviser at Texas High School in Texarkana, Texas. With over 20 years of experience, Clint has built a nationally recognized photojournalism program that consistently produces award-winning student work.

Clint’s passion for photography began accidentally during a family wagon train event in 1986, where he was struck by the intentionality and impact of a single photograph. This experience sparked a lifelong love of the medium, leading Clint to pursue a career in journalism and eventually find his calling as a high school photography adviser.

Under Clint’s guidance, his students have won numerous accolades, including the prestigious ILPC (Interscholastic League Press Conference) Photo of the Year award in Texas. Clint’s dedication to empowering his students and his innovative approach to photography education have made him a sought-after speaker and trainer at yearbook and journalism conferences across the country.

In this training video, Clint shares the strategies and techniques that have made his photography program so successful, offering a wealth of knowledge that can benefit yearbook advisers and their students.

Why You Should Watch This Training

Whether you’re a seasoned yearbook adviser or just starting, this training video offers invaluable insights that can transform your photography program. Here’s why you should make time to watch it:

1. Comprehensive Approach to Photography Training
   Clint’s training covers the entire yearbook photography journey, from summer preparation to the hectic spring sports season. He outlines a structured, scaffolded approach that ensures your students have the skills and confidence to capture stunning images throughout the year.
2. Practical Equipment Recommendations
   One of the most common challenges for yearbook advisers is navigating the world of photography equipment. Clint provides clear, practical recommendations on the essential lenses and gear your students should have, helping you make informed investments.
3. Proven Strategies for Organizing and Managing Your Team
   Clint shares his proven systems for organizing and managing a large team of student photographers, from the “battle buddy” system to scheduling and workflow. These strategies can help you streamline your operations and empower your students to work independently.
4. Insights on Leveraging Social Media
   In today’s digital landscape, Clint’s approach to allowing students to share their work on social media offers valuable insights. He explains how this can build buzz around your program and help students develop their portfolios.
5. Applicable Lessons for Your Classroom
   While this training is tailored for yearbook advisers, the photography techniques and strategies Clint shares are highly applicable for any classroom setting. You can easily adapt the lessons and activities for your students.

Key Takeaways from the Training

Throughout the training video, Clint covers a wide range of topics related to yearbook photography. Here are some of the key takeaways you can expect to gain:

1. The Importance of Early Preparation
   Clint emphasizes the need to start the photography training process early, beginning in the summer and continuing through the fall. This front-loaded approach ensures your students are equipped with the necessary skills and confidence to tackle the busy spring sports season.
2. Effective Equipment Recommendations
   Clint provides clear guidance on the essential lenses and gear your students should have, focusing on fast, prime lenses that can capture high-quality images in challenging lighting conditions.
3. Strategies for Organizing and Managing Your Photography Team
   Clint shares his proven systems for organizing and managing a large team of student photographers, including the “battle buddy” system and detailed scheduling practices.
4. Leveraging Social Media for Portfolio Building
   Clint discusses the benefits of allowing students to share their work on social media, explaining how this can build buzz around your program and help students develop their professional portfolios.
5. Adaptable Lessons for the Classroom
   While the training is tailored for yearbook advisers, the photography techniques and strategies Clint shares can be easily adapted for use in any classroom setting, providing valuable lessons for your students.

Putting the Training into Practice

To help you and your students get the most out of this training, we’ve created a Google Forms assessment that you can use in your classroom. This assessment covers the key takeaways from the video and allows you to gauge your students’ understanding of the concepts presented.

By incorporating this training into your yearbook or photography curriculum, you’ll be empowering your students to capture images that will elevate your yearbook and showcase their talents. Don’t miss this opportunity to take your program to new heights!

Access the Free Training Video and Assessment

Ready to get started? You can access the free training video and Google Form assessment by clicking the link below. Dive in, learn from the expert, and get ready to transform your yearbook photography program.