By late February, most yearbook teams aren’t lacking motivation. They’re lacking clarity. Deadlines are approaching, spreads are incomplete, and proofs are circulating. The pressure isn’t solely emotional; it’s also logistical.

No adviser ever says, “I wish we included less.” But every year, schools look back and think: “We should have covered that.” “I can’t believe we didn’t document that.” “I wish we had asked students about that moment.” By late February, most books are well underway, which makes this the perfect time to pause and ask: Are we capturing everything that matters? Schools often regret not including these 5 things:

Valentine's Day reminds us that relationships are the key component to building strong programs and producing the strongest yearbooks. Not just design skills or deadlines, but trust, communication, and collaboration. Behind every memorable book is a network of relationships: advisers guiding students, photographers capturing moments, designers shaping stories, and partners supporting the process behind the scenes.