How 36Pix Uses Data To Elevate School Photography Quality At Scale

Have an idea or tip? Send us a text! Ever wonder how a school photo lab with 600,000 students a year keeps quality high when half the photographers are new each season? We sat down with Robert Ste-Marie, CEO of 36Pix, to explore Eva. This data-driven evaluation platform scores every image so managers can catch problems fast, coach with clarity, and tie rewards to real outcomes. No fluff—just the metrics that move sales: smiles, closed eyes, blur, glasses glare, face shine, and exposure repairability, according to the company. Ste-Marie walks us through why manual folder dives fail at scale and how Eva creates a near-real-time feedback loop without slowing down shoots. Robert explains how studios can weigh different criteria by job type, link images to individual photographers via camera IDs or filename rules, and compare each shooter against company benchmarks across the season. The result is a clear, fair picture of performance that turns training into revenue: raise smile rates, cut reshoots, and reduce contract risk. Ste-Marie shares surprising insights from live data—like how much expression variance exists between photographers on similar jobs—and how those findings shape better onboarding and coaching. Photo Imaging CONNECT The Photo Imaging CONNECT conference, March 1-2, 2026, at the RIO Hotel and Resort in Las Vegas, NMediaclip Mediaclip strives to continuously enhance the user experience while dramatically increasing revenue. Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched! Start for FREE Independent Photo Imagers IPI is a member + trade association and a cooperative buying group in the photo + print industry. Photo Imaging CONNECT The Photo Imaging CONNECT conference, March 1-2, 2026, at the RIO Hotel and Resort in Las Vegas, N Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show Sign up for the Dead Pixels Society newsletter at http://bit.ly/DeadPixelsSignUp. Contact us at gary@thedeadpixelssociety.com Visit our LinkedIn group, Photo/Digital Imaging Network, and Facebook group, The Dead Pixels Society. Leave a review on Apple and Podchaser. Are you interested in being a guest? Click here for details. Hosted and produced by Gary Pageau Edited by Olivia Pageau Announcer: Erin Manning