Volume Photography Solutions

What Is High-Volume Photography?

High-volume photography is a subset of portrait photography that focuses on producing large quantities of professional-grade photos in a relatively short period of time. This approach is typically used in situations where many subjects need to be captured quickly and efficiently. To maximize efficiency and successfully manage the large output of images high-volume photography yields, photographers often utilize standardized equipment, setups, and workflows.

What Are the Different Types of High-Volume Photography?

High-volume photography has many applications and use cases, including school portraiture, sports photography, corporate identification, and more. Some of the most common examples of high-volume photography include:

School Photography: School portraiture is arguably the most common type of high-volume photography. From individual portraits for yearbook photos and student IDs to group shots for class photos and graduation pics, schools regularly commission multiple types of high-volume work.

Sports and Dance Photography: Sports teams, dance studios, and other athletic clubs often request high-volume work, including individual portraits and group shots. High-volume sports photography often is more involved and less standardized than other forms of volume work as it tends to incorporate additional elements such as props and/or unique backgrounds.

Professional Headshots: Large volumes of professional-level headshots are required by many types of organizations, both public and private, including corporations, hospitals, legal firms, as well as various government agencies and services.

Equipment Used in High-Volume Photography

Much of the gear used in high-volume photography is similar to what you would find in traditional portrait photography—e.g., a reliable camera, lenses, backdrops, lighting equipment, etc.

However, in addition to conventional portraiture gear, high-volume photography also involves several pieces of equipment that are more exclusive to high-volume work, such as barcode scanners and firmware upgrade keys.

Barcode Scanners: Barcode scanners are used to add metadata to image files, including information like serial numbers, a subject’s name and/or organization, and other important pieces of information. Barcode scanners are typically used in conjunction with other pieces of equipment, such as thermal printers, label makers, compatible cameras, etc.

Firmware Upgrade Keys: Some camera manufacturers offer optional paid firmware keys that unlock volume-friendly features in select camera models—e.g., in-camera masks for standardizing framing and composition, as well as compatibility features that allow the camera to work with select barcode scanners.

While not exclusive to high-volume photography, other less-common tools—such as rolling stands, file and transfer gear, and various tethering accessories—also commonly play a role in an effective and efficient high-volume workflow.