Planning parents weekend
What does parents weekend coverage look like?
For a big chapter, the full team: four photographers for four hours with a lighting package for posed family photos. At Kappa Kappa Gamma's, families lined up at a lit backdrop with the chapter's letters while the rest of the team covered the party. SLP Media does roaming event photography, so the other photographers move through the whole party and catch families around the room, not just the ones in line.
Does a smaller chapter need four photographers?
Not always. It goes by guest count: two photographers cover up to 500 guests at one venue, and the lighting package can be added for posed family photos. Past 500 guests, the full team.
When should we book?
As soon as the chapter sets the date, since the full team needs four photographers free on the same night.
Can we have photo and video?
Yes. For parents weekend, photo and video can go in the same booking: the team photographs the families and I film the night.
How much does it cost?
Parents weekend is booked as an SLP Media package by guest count. The full team package and the add-ons are on my Greek life photo pricing, and a 50% deposit holds the date.
On the night
SLP Media does roaming event photography: at parents weekend, my team moves through the whole party instead of all waiting at the backdrop. We catch families as they walk in, candids around the room, members with their parents and the big group shots. We're high energy on purpose. We hype up groups, pull families from across the room into shots and keep the night going.
We plan full coverage before the weekend. I lead the team, and the second shooters are photographers I hire and brief myself. Everyone works from one coverage plan, so no part of the night is left out. The lighting package comes with the full team and can be added to a smaller booking. On the full team, one photographer runs the lit family photo station while the others keep roaming.
How do you handle the family photo line?
With a lit station: professional lights at your backdrop, so a family photo looks the same at the start of the night as at the end. A photographer stays on the station while the others cover the party.
Can you put our letters on the photos?
Yes. Every SLP Media package includes a custom branded photo template, a border or overlay that puts your sorority or fraternity letters, crest or logo on each photo a family saves from the weekend, plus up to three lines of text, such as the chapter name, the date or your parents weekend theme. Letters and crest go on when the chapter or its national office permits the artwork.
Can you fly the drone?
Only where it's allowed. If the event is at a house on university property, the flight goes through UPD for approval first (I'm authorized to fly on campus and file the request myself), and on a home football game day no drone can fly near the stadium from an hour before the game until an hour after. If you want aerials, tell me at least a week ahead. Here's how the Ole Miss drone rules work.
After the weekend
How do families get their photos?
Parents and members get their photos on their phones through SLP Media's SelfSearch AI gallery, which uses facial recognition. The chapter shares one private link. Each person opens it in their phone's browser, takes one selfie and sees the photos they're in, with no app and no account. The gallery may ask for an email before the first download, and a QR sign-up at the door emails the link to each person who signs up.
How fast?
We plan delivery within 2 days of the event, or 3 days for Monday to Thursday events. Your quote gives the date.
Can family who couldn't come see the photos?
Yes. Anyone with the link can browse and download for free for a year, and the chapter can add a PIN if it wants the gallery private.
Is the facial recognition selfie search private?
The selfies are. Each selfie a parent or member takes is matched once, only against your parents weekend gallery, and SLP Media never saves it. Any parent, member or guest can ask to be left out of matching or to have a photo taken down. SelfSearch AI is SLP Media's own gallery, built in house by Samuel Long Productions rather than a third-party photo app, with privacy designed in, and photos and face data are deleted 30 days after the gallery closes, once any print orders are filled.
