FOR SCHOOL, SPORTS, AND DANCE PHOTOGRAPHERS
Booking Software for School Photography
Book the picture day with the school. Let families pick a time slot and pay online. Show up with a schedule instead of a line.
Two bookings in one: the school and the families
Check Cherry is booking software and CRM for photographers who shoot preschools, private schools, sports leagues, dance studios, and daycares. The picture day is booked with the school as an event with a contract. Then families reserve a time slot and pay for their package online. Staff scheduling, reminders, and payments are in the same system.
PICTURE DAY SESSIONS
Families pick a slot. You get a schedule.
Open a picture day with time slots every 10 minutes from 8 AM to 2 PM. Share one link with the school. Parents pick a slot, choose a package, and pay. You arrive knowing who is coming and when.
- Set the slot length, how many families per slot, and breaks
- Prepay packages so print orders are collected before the shoot
- Add sibling photos, digital downloads, and retouching as add-ons
- Rain delay? One message goes to every family on the schedule
EXAMPLE: PRESCHOOL PICTURE DAY
Tuesday, Oct 7, 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM 10-minute slots, 2 families per slot
Basic Package $35, one pose, 2 prints
Deluxe Package $65, two poses, digital download
Sibling add-on +$15
THE SCHOOL CONTRACT
Book the school like the client it is
The school or league is a client with a date, a contract, and often a commission or a free class photo. Send a proposal, get it signed, and keep every picture day on one calendar.
- Proposals with package options for the director or athletic coordinator
- E-signed contracts and a client portal for the school
- Questionnaire collects class lists, roster counts, and where to set up
- Automated reminders to the school before picture day
A season at a glance:
Sept 22 Little Sprouts Preschool, 48 families booked
Oct 4 Eastside Soccer League, 14 teams, 3 photographers
Nov 15 Rhythm Dance Studio recital portraits, 62 slots
PHOTOGRAPHERS AND ASSISTANTS
Staff every picture day
Add your photographers and assistants, track who is free, and assign them to picture days. Each one gets a login with the schedule, address, and setup notes.
- Run three schools on one Saturday with separate crews
- Track pay per picture day and run payroll reports
- Staff check in on site so you know setup started on time
- Picture days and assignments sync to Google and Apple calendars
Automated messages: a booking confirmation with what to wear, a reminder the day before, and a follow-up when the gallery is ready. Set them up once. They send themselves.
Run the whole business from one place
Everything from the first inquiry to the final payment.
Lead Management
Every school and league inquiry lands in one inbox so you can follow up before the season fills.
Payments
Families pay by card online. Schools pay by card or bank. Tap to pay on picture day for walk-ups.
Multiple Brands
Run a school photography brand and a wedding brand from one account with separate booking pages.
AI Assistants and API
Connect ChatGPT or Claude to your account to check availability and look up bookings. Learn more
Start with picture day. Grow from there.
School photographers add family mini sessions, senior portraits, and weddings. Add new services and brands anytime without switching software.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Check Cherry for school and sports photographers.
What is the best booking software for school and sports photographers?
Check Cherry handles both halves of a picture day: the school or league is booked as a client with a contract, and families reserve time slots and pay for packages online through a session link. Staff scheduling, reminders, and payments are in the same system. It is a booking and client system, not a lab or gallery platform, and it works alongside whichever lab you already use.
Can families book their own time slot?
Yes. Create a session for the picture day with the slot length and how many families fit in each slot. Share one link with the school. Parents pick a time, choose a package, add siblings or extras, and pay. You get a full schedule before you arrive.
Can I collect package payments before picture day?
Yes. Families pay for their package when they reserve a slot, so print orders are collected in advance instead of chased afterward. Add-ons like sibling photos, digital downloads, and retouching are priced separately and added at booking.
Does it replace my lab or ordering software?
No. Check Cherry books the picture day, schedules families and staff, and collects payments. You keep using your lab and gallery tools for fulfillment. Many photographers use Check Cherry for booking and prepaid packages, then deliver through their existing lab.
Does it work for sports leagues and dance studios?
Yes. Book the league or studio as the client, then open a session for team and individual photos, recital portraits, or class pictures. Sessions, packages, and questionnaires are fully yours to define.
How much does it cost?
Check Cherry plans start at $39/month and include online booking, sessions, contracts, staff scheduling, questionnaires, invoicing, and payment processing. There are no per-family or per-session fees. The trial is 14 days and doesn't require a credit card.
Ready for a picture day that runs itself?
Start Free Trial14-day free trial. No credit card required.