Yearbook 101
What is the main purpose of a yearbook?
To document and preserve the memories, people, and events of the school year.
What is Hanahan High School’s mascot?
Joe Hawk
What should you generally avoid having directly behind someone’s head in a photo?
Distracting objects/background elements.
What is a headline?
The title of a story or section.
You’re taking pictures at lunch. Someone says, “Don’t take my picture!” What do you do?
Respect their request and move on.
What do we call a collection of photos and text arranged on a page?
A spread/layout
What are Hanahan’s school colors?
Blue and orange.
True or False: A good yearbook photo always has to be posed.
False!
What is a dominant photo?
The main/largest photo that draws attention to a spread.
A student gives you the quote: “It was good.” What should you do?
Ask a follow-up question to get a more specific/interesting quote.
What is a caption?
Text that explains or adds context to a photograph.
What year was hanahan established?
1987
What does a candid photo capture?
A natural/unposed moment.
Why shouldn’t every photo on a spread be the exact same size?
It creates visual monotony and makes the page less interesting.
You have 500 pictures from an event. What’s the first thing you should NOT do?
Put all 500 on the spread.
What is the difference between a yearbook and a regular school newspaper?
A yearbook documents the entire school year and creates a lasting historical record; a newspaper focuses more on current news.
What is one major tradition or annual event that students look forward to at Hanahan?
Homecoming
You’re photographing a pep rally. Which is more valuable for a yearbook: 20 pictures of people posing for the camera or several different moments showing the energy of the event?
Several different moments showing the event.
What is white space?
Intentional empty space used to create balance and make a design easier to read.
Your spread looks good, but you realize you have no names, quotes, or context for half the photos. What went wrong?
You didn’t collect enough information while covering the event.
What is one thing every yearbook staff member is responsible for—even if they’re not a photographer or designer?
Helping tell the story of the school year.
Name three clubs, organizations, or extracurricular activities at Hanahan.
We will let you know
You’re taking a photo for the yearbook. What are three things you should think about before pressing the shutter?
Composition, lighting, background, emotion/action, focus, and storytelling.
What makes a yearbook story different from simply saying, “The football game was fun”?
A good story includes specific details, experiences, quotes, and perspectives that actually tell the story.
“A yearbook is not just about ______. It’s about ______.”
“A yearbook is not just about what happened. It’s about how people experienced it.”