Framing Excellence: Chronicles of School Photography Unveiled
Transitioning from my role as a headteacher to pursuing my lifelong passion as a means of income, I was determined to stay connected to the heart of education—the children. They were, and always will be, the highlight of any educational endeavor. Fortunately, I found a way to combine my love for photography with my desire to engage with students by offering after-school photography clubs in my former school. The success of these clubs paved the way for expansion into other schools, leading to a venture into website photography updates, tailoring my services to meet the specific needs of schools aiming to attract prospective parents.
The natural progression of my journey brought me to the world of school portraits—a delightful experience capturing genuine moments of children posing and giggling, steering away from the traditional, stiff smiles seen in typical school photos. Drawing from years of working with children and embracing my own inner child, I found a unique ability to connect with kids, allowing them to relax and be themselves in front of the camera.
As the demand for my services grew, the pandemic posed a challenge for schools that relied on in-person visits from prospective parents. Recognizing the importance of showcasing the essence of a school, I ventured into school videos. Drawing on my own expertise in presenting my school to parents, I teamed up with a parent skilled in videography to create compelling videos that provided virtual tours, filling the void left by the inability to conduct physical tours. The response was overwhelming, with parents praising the videos and our school enrollment remaining strong.
Despite the success, the nature of my work in schools poses a unique challenge—I cannot freely share the visual content I create due to safeguarding reasons. School portraits and videos, capturing the vibrant essence of learning and joy, cannot be shared publicly. Instead, I rely on word-of-mouth recommendations between schools, providing links to my work on their websites for interested headteachers.
This blog may be sparse on visual content, but it reflects a rich tapestry of experiences working with incredible children and dedicated staff. The inability to freely share these moments has become a testament to the importance of safeguarding, requiring me to navigate my marketing approach carefully. While I may not flood this space with photographs, I take pride in offering incredible value for money to schools—knowing firsthand the challenges of managing a budget during my time as a headteacher. In supporting schools with affordable prices and maximum returns, my aim is to help them showcase their unique qualities, attract parents, and ultimately provide the best possible education to a growing community of students.
