Q: Social Media Photos In The Time Of Covid
/I am struggling with how to visually share our school on social media. We require masks at all times while on campus, so you can't see anyone's faces, and you can't put more than 2 socially distanced kids in a photo without being so far back as to have their faces look like little pins. Not very engaging. You can't even tell if they're happy or not. Further, the events and traditional class projects we used to share and cover on social media are all postponed or cancelled, so there's not much variety to cover. Even the guest speakers we have planned for classes will be speaking to the class via Zoom. So again... not very engaging photo ops. We've only been back to school one week and I don't think I can take another photo of a room full of socially distanced, masked kids, or of one kid looking at a Zoom class on his/her iPad. What are some creative ways to show what's going on in our classrooms and campus right now? From Heather Lambie, Director of Strategic Marketing, Tampa Preparatory School
A: CAYLOR
Here are some quick ideas:
Get creative....take or use photos from Zoom...where you don't have to have the Masks. Prospective parents understand.
Use depth of field to your benefit....so you can see the blurred classroom in the background, but a very engaged student in the foreground.
Focus on eyes, hands, pencils, etc. Go artistic.
Here are some ideas from a recent photo shoot/video shoot that we suggested for a University that focuses on healthcare: https://vimeo.com/445072028/dab8436a3c
Be as honest and authentic....we are where we are, and your job is to document how the school is handling it. That alone will sell the school.
Hope that helps.
A: Noakes
Great question.
Social Media is all about the moment and authenticity — and capturing life now. This, however, needs to be balanced with a well-thought out #ContentStrategy that leverages other multimedia platforms like podcasts (Soundcloud/Spotify), or Artwork (Pinterest), as well as #TBT opportunities to share great moments from the past.
Just because the environment has changed, don't be defeated and get creative. For some great ideas, take a look at our Twitter page (https://twitter.com/intSchools) where we share great content from schools around the world.
A: Claeys
I agree this is so hard.
This is a great opportunity to have your community share images with you. Ask your students to share photos and videos of themselves working on projects/homework at home or with their friends around school - you might get some nice shots. Also, take photos of hands at work - writing, typing, doing art. Photos from behind could portray students looking at a screen or blackboard/whiteboard and avoid showing everyone in masks.
People are also doing some creative things with masks - perhaps you can have masks that can be written on and have students use that for hopeful messages or listing things they love about being back to school.
Don't forget about video, which can be more engaging than still photos.
Good luck!
A: DiGiovine
I’m not sure how relevant this is, but this post from Pratt (my alma mater) shares a recent recreation of an iconic photograph.
In it are three Pratt graduates, and it was done in a building in the school’s Brooklyn neighborhood.
It’s a roundabout and super creative way to feature alumni doing something fun.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEbuCi3sfL4/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
A: Peters
I think the link below is absolutely relevant! And I agree with the previous responses that now is the time to get creative. But that recommendation need not overwhelm you; let it empower you.
Not every post needs to be extravagant or over-the-top to produce. Instead, “mix and match” is the name of the game. You keep things interesting by varying your approach—from artistic zoomed-in shots, to single portraits, to some well-phrased, graphically impactful text-based posts.
Regardless of how you tackle it, take every opportunity to tie your posts/images to your school mission/values, and you’ll keep your audience engaged. Good luck!
A: Simmons
Excellent question and one that I'm sure is on many peoples' minds.
You've received some great ideas and my suggestion is to not overthink it. Capture moments and see what you get. Ask for student generated content as well. You might get something useful and they'll feel included in the process.
Hope that helps!
