testimonial
“Working with Geskus Photography was an incredible experience from start to finish. They took the time to truly understand our school and programs, setting up multiple calls to learn about our needs and how best to partner with us. Their team created advertising materials, assisted with student communication, and provided professional headshots during regalia pickup days, which also supported their facial recognition program to help students easily access personalized photos after commencement. They joined us for the commencement walkthrough to ensure they were fully familiar with our ceremony plans, and on the day of commencement, they brought a school-branded backdrop and kept the picture line moving efficiently, even when some of our readers went very fast.
I especially want to shout out to Renee and Matt for their outstanding partnership. They were professional, organized, and patient. I appreciated Renee’s thoughtful follow-ups, which were invaluable as a member of a large team planning commencement; her patience and understanding made my role much easier. The photography itself was excellent, and our graduates have shared how happy they are with their images. Coordinating across three campuses could have been challenging, but Geskus ensured everything ran smoothly at every location and on commencement day. Their professionalism, communication, and reliability made them a standout partner, and we look forward to working with them again in the future.”
Best,
Brittany Durning Director, Center for Campus Life ‑ Boston Student Affairs
On the next few pages, please find an outlined and detailed Request for Proposal Specification Form for Boston University
Geskus responses, including checkmarks and helpful notes, are added in blue.
= Geskus Provides
Proposal
Request for Service Proposal
Commencement Photography Services
Project Overview
Boston University is seeking a professional photography partner to provide “handshake” and commemorative photography services during its annual Commencement Weekend. This includes coverage of approximately 52 school/college convocations and one all -University ceremony.
Event Details
Dates: Commencement Weekend typically occurs from Thursday to Sunday during the week of the third Sunday in May.
Participants: Approximately 8,000 students participate, including May graduates and those from other graduation dates.
Ceremonies: Vary in size from 15 to 1,000 graduates, with multiple ceremonies occurring simultaneously.
Photography Scope:
-Photos of students receiving diploma covers or being hooded.
- Step-and-repeat photos post-stage.
- Additional commemorative moments as requested.
Vendor Expectations
• Provide services at no cost to Boston University.
• Communication with each convocation coordinator 30 day prior to Commencement Weekend to verify event information and to discuss specific photography needs.
• Within two weeks of scheduled ceremony date, provide the school/college contact with the name and contact information for their photographer(s); in addition, a master contact list be provided to the central commencement office.
• Arrive at each ceremony a minimum of 90 minutes in advance to coordinate with University staff.
• Photograph each graduate, capturing multiple high-quality shots.
• Deliver proof photos to graduates via email, text, or mail within 3–5 business days.
• Fulfill and ship all paid graduate photo orders within 7 calendar days.
• Offer a satisfaction guarantee, including full refunds where applicable.
Specifications
• Capture event coverage of faculty, administrators, and distinguished guests for University use.
• Deliver all public relations photos to the University within 14 days post-event.
• Grant Boston University royalty-free, non-exclusive rights to use event images for promotional purposes.
• Ensure strict data privacy compliance; no graduate contact information may be sold or shared with third parties This may be done as part of the service order agreement or under a separate agreement.
• Provide proof of general liability workers compensation and indemnify the University from any claims made by the vendor or its agents.
University Obligations
• Provide vendor with exclusive rights to capture and sell graduate portraits.
• Supply graduate contact information in a secure format no later than four (4) weeks prior to the event.
• Permit the vendor to set product pricing, with the expectation that offerings remain marketcompetitive and include affordable options for students
Profit Sharing
details can be found on page X
Vendors must propose a revenue-sharing model that includes reasonable financial compensation to Boston University. This may take the form of a flat licensing fee or a percentage of gross sales revenue whichever is greater. The proposed model should be clearly outlined in the response. Payment will be due no later than June 15th, immediately following that commencement.
Proposal Submission Requirements
• Proposals must include the following:
• Company overview, including business structure and employment status of photographers (e.g., W-2 vs. 1099).
• Statement of customer service and satisfaction policies.
• Current product offerings and pricing tiers.
• A proposed revenue-sharing model with the University.
• Minimum of three references from comparable institutions or events.
All materials must be submitted electronically by September 10th 3:30 pm
Profit
At Geskus, we believe in forming true partnerships built on transparency, mutual benefit, and long-term value. With that in mind, we’re pleased to present two flexible options for profit sharing that we feel are well-suited to Boston University’s goals and expectations. Our intent is to offer a structure that aligns with your values while allowing for ongoing growth and collaboration.
1. Matching Your Previous Contribution
Geskus is fully prepared to match the financial contribution Boston University has received from previous vendors. We recognize the importance of maintaining consistency in support, and this option allows for a seamless transition without disruption to your current expectations. In addition to matching the financial amount, we are also willing to align our disbursement schedule to match the timeline you’re accustomed to, ensuring predictability and ease of administration on your end.
This approach reflects our respect for the relationship you’ve built with your past vendor and our desire to honor and uphold those standards. It’s also a reflection of our confidence in our ability to meet—and exceed—your expectations moving forward.
2. Per-Student Contribution
As an alternative, we propose a transparent, scalable model based on a fixed dollar amount per student photographed. This structure is straightforward and easy to track, as it ties the contribution directly to actual participation. Once the total number of students photographed is confirmed, the contribution can be easily calculated and reconciled by both parties, reducing administrative overhead and simplifying year-end reporting.
This model is especially beneficial when looking to increase participation rates, as it naturally aligns the financial contribution with student engagement. It also allows for flexibility year over year, as changes in student turnout will be directly reflected in the overall contribution.
We view this proposal as the beginning of a collaborative, long-term partnership between Geskus and Boston University. Our team is committed to providing an exceptional experience for your staff, your students, and their families. Each year, we’d welcome the opportunity to conduct a comprehensive review to evaluate key metrics such as student participation, buy rates, and overall customer satisfaction.
Sharing
As part of this annual review, we’re open to revisiting the profit-sharing model and increasing the incentive where appropriate, ensuring the partnership continues to evolve and bring greater value over time.
Geskus is confident in our ability to deliver high-quality portraits at affordable prices while maintaining an unwavering focus on service, professionalism, and reliability. We’re excited about the opportunity to work with Boston University and look forward to building a relationship based on trust, shared success, and a commitment to excellence.
achieving school safety
Before a new team member works their first day with us they have been through a three-step interview process, a multi-state background check, and a review of their social media presence. Once they pass through this rigorous process they join us on our campus for photography and procedure training.
It is impossible for us, in good conscience, to send a new hire out on their own so they partner with one of our seasoned lead photographers. This mentoring process has several quality control attributes linked to it and has proved a great path for us to train our new team members.
All of our photographers are W-2 employees, which They receive consistent training, and are held to the highest professional standards— ensuring reliability, quality, and a seamless experience for our clients.
service
We are committed to providing exceptional support to both your graduates and their families. Our fully staffed customer service department is dedicated to ensuring a seamless and positive experience every step of the way.
In addition, Boston University will be assigned a dedicated account coordinator who will serve as your direct point of contact—offering personalized assistance and overseeing every aspect of our partnership. From day one through every milestone, we’ll be by your side to ensure success.
Simply put, we’ll be there when you need us.
We believe in maintaining open and consistent communication, delivering ongoing education, and providing reliable support to our clients and customers. Above all, we pride ourselves on being dependable, transparent, and deeply committed to the schools and communities we serve.
Our products are back by a “no questions asked” refund policy for anyone that is not 100% sastisfied.
“ “
Geskus ensured everything ran smoothly at every location and on commencement day. Their professionalism, communication, and reliability made them a standout partner, and we look forward to working with them again in the future.
- Brittany Durning, Mass College of Pharmacy & Health Services
Commencement Pricing
Even with the changing economy and inflation all around us, we are proud to say our pricing continues to be the most affordable in the industry. We don’t have surprise up-charges. To put it simply, we keep our costs low by producing everything locally, in our New England production facility. We extend our savings directly to our customers.
Package Options:
Basic Package - (1) 4x6, (2) 3x5s, (8) Wallets - $39.00
Value Package - (3) 5x7s, (2) 3x5s, (8) Wallets - $49.00
Family Package - (1) 8x10, (2) 5x7s, (3) 4x6s, (4) 3x5s - $59.00
Top of Class Package - (3) 8x10s, (4) 5x7s, (2) 3x5s, (4) Wallets - $69.00
A-La-Carte Options:
(1) 8x10 - $24.00
(2) 5x7 - $24.00
(3) 4x6 - $22.00
(4) 3.5x5 - $22.00
(8) wallets - $22.00 (1) 10x20 - $23.00 (1) 11x14 - $23.00 (1) 12x18 - $25.00
Specialty Options:
(2) Keychains - $19.00
(2) 4x5 Magnets - $19.00
High Res Digital Download - $39.00
Download your favorite photo at the highest quality resolution - great for printing on a wide range of product sizes. A print release is included with this product so that you are free to print your photos when you’re ready!
Social Sharing Download - $18.00
Download your favorite photo for sharing on social media with family & friends! Social downloads look great as social posts but are not meant for printing. A print release is not included. Downloads are not refundable.
Download of ALL Photos - $99.00
Download all your photos of one person as high-resolution digital images for a fixed price. Includes a print release, so you can print them in various sizes whenever you are ready.
Many more package options available to families on our website & Flyer
terms &
Responsibilities
Geskus assumes the responsibility of providing proper notification for commencement picture day. This includes flyers, take-home postcards announcing the portrait dates and instructions, as well as electronic picture day notices to be provided to the university for use on the college website, newsletter and email blast. Geskus will provide envelope order-forms to the college offices as needed.
Every graduate will be photographed on picture day, even if no package is purchased.
Geskus will handle all customer/parent calls and address any questions or concerns of all involved. Geskus will handle all processing of payments, including insufficient funds. At Geskus we believe no customer should be unhappy for any reason. We offer a 100% money back guarantee and a ‘no questions asked’ retake/refund policy. We will work directly with the families involved with limited involvement from the school.
The college will provide student data to Geskus upon request, approximately two weeks before commencement. Data will be formatted in an excel file inclusive of student name, and any other pertinent information.
The college will provide ample space for photographers to set up on picture day. Geskus will mail home ALL picture packages within 3 to 4 weeks of picture day.
Timelines
Administrations from the College will collaborate with their appointed Geskus Account Coordinator to secure all information and scheduling. Geskus has the fastest turnaround time in the industry - picture packages will be shipped within 3-4 weeks of picture day.
conditions
Candids
Geskus will provide group, candid photography before, during, and after the commencement ceremony upon request.
Additional Services
We believe you should love your school photography provider, and we want to be the partner you can rely on for all of your needs. Please ask us for any items you do not see explicitly listed within this document.
98% of our partners rate us 5 out of 5 for picture day experience and overall quality & service.
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences 179 Longwood Avenue Boston, MA 02215
Brittany Dunning, Picture Day Contact brittany.durning@mcphs.edu
617-732-2903
Emmanuel College
400 The Fenway Boston, MA 02215
Emma Borstel, Picture Day Contact borstele@emmanuel.edu
617-732-1769
Northern Essex Community College 100 Elliott St Haverhill, MA 01830
Melissa Bouse, Director of Public Relations mbouse@necc.mass.edu 978-556-3869
Great Bay Community College 320 Corporate Drive Portsmouth NH, 03801
Sara Long, Student Services slang@ccsnh.edu
603-427-7615
