What a crazy time we’re living in just now! This time last year, I don’t think anyone could have anticipated the huge changes we've been through the last year.
One of the biggest blessings for our household, and I’m sure a lot of homes has been getting our children back to school. Lockdown was such a tough time trying to work, home-school and wrangle toddlers – I’m sure many parents now have an increased appreciation for the fantastic work teachers do!
With schools back and settled, the topic of yearly school photographs is bound to come up. I wanted to write this blog to reassure my school photography clients that I am doing everything I can to ensure your pupils and staff remain healthy on photo day.
As a full-time professional photographer, I have the skills and training to be able to easily flex the way I take photos. Using a longer lens and standing further way is a quick and easy adjustment for me, so you can rest assured the high quality of photographs you are used to, will remain the same.
Here are the changes I’ve made to the way I deliver school photography as a result of Covid-19.
Administration
I now operate an entirely contact-free system, with no paperwork or print envelopes for staff or parents to manage.
Parents will be asked to ‘sign-up’ online ahead of photo day to ensure I capture their details, meaning only those children whose parents would like them to be photographed, will be photographed. This also ensures I have all the details I need to manage the ordering.
Once the photos are taken, the registered parents will receive notification that their images are ready to view and purchase.
All print orders will be delivered direct to parents’ home addresses, and postage is included, rather than an additional cost.
Of course, I ensure that both myself and my assistant show no symptoms, nor have been in contact with any households showing symptoms. We will check our temperatures ahead of each photo day to make sure.
On the day
All of my equipment will be cleaned ahead of arriving at the school, for each day that I photograph with you.
After setup, it will be cleaned again as an additional precaution.
I can work either indoors in a well-ventilated, large space, or outdoors if you would prefer.
Children will stand for individual photographs, ensuring there is no contact with any of my equipment. For sibling group photographs stools will be wiped with disinfectant between each sitting.
Where possible, I will operate a one-way entry/exit system for the children.
I will work a full three metres away from the children. To do this, I will use a long lens, but you will see no visible difference in the photographs that I produce.
I will wear a mask if you require it.
It is not my custom to touch children at all anyway, but I will of course that this policy is strictly adhered to on photo day – for both my assistant and me.
I will show the children how to pose using my voice and my own body position.
Unfortunately, stickers won’t be available as usual to cut down on the chances of contamination.
Group Photographs
Sibling photographs will be taken on separate days, at specific, bookable times to ensure that class bubbles aren’t being mixed during school hours. We can also skip sibling photographs for a year if you would prefer.
Class photos can be taken in class bubble groups, or I can create a collage of the children’s individual photographs instead of traditional class photos.
Below is a short video outlining what has changed.
As ever, please do let me know if there’s anything else I can do to make photo day run as smoothly as possible at this difficult time. To download my current school photography brochure please click here.
