Several LA Private Schools Use Celebrity Photographers For Yearbook Pics

HOLLYWOOD (CBSLA.com) — Several Los Angeles-area private schools are commissioning celebrity photographers to snap students' annual yearbook pictures.

Lisa Smith, who works at the Hollywood Little Red Schoolhouse, said she was looking for a way to refresh the yearbook.

"When the school hired me to do the yearbook, I immediately thought, 'I have to redo these school pictures. I can't stand them. It's so boring,'" she said via Skype.

Smith then discovered the work of A-list photographer Dennis Kleiman.

Although she didn't know about his star-filled background, he is best known for shooting images of Rihanna, Jack Black and Lionel Richie.

"We celebrate every child's unique individuality. All kids are special. And they shouldn't have to be put into this kind of cookie-cutter assembly line approach," said Kleiman via Skype.

"The yearbooks come out so good and the kids look so great and happy. It's a great selling point for the school. Just…wow, look at this creativity," said Smith.

CBS2's Bobby Kaple reported that schools are not charged for the exclusive photographers because the pictures are shot on spec and sold to parents.