So far, we’ve completed two of the three days photography and the photoshoots have involved many Year 7 and Year 12 students, along with a few from Years 8 to 11. We would like to say a big thank you to the students for their participation, to the parents for their permission, and to all the staff involved in making the photoshoots happen. Thank you in advance for everyone’s support for the final photoshoot, which is coming up in July.

We were delighted to invite two Year 12 A Level Photography students, Michael and Namish, to assist our professional photographer in the photoshoots and gain valuable work experience for their course. Read below Michael’s account of the day.

Today, I was given the opportunity to assist a professional photographer in taking pictures for the school. When I heard that there was going to be a photographer coming in to take photos, I found it very hard to turn down this offer, as I knew this would benefit me long term and for my coursework in my Photography A Level. I did not know what to expect as I had never seen how a professional photographer goes about taking professional pictures; this was the key motivator into why I decided to accept the invitation.

We spent the entire school day travelling around the premises to go to different locations and classrooms to take photos of the Year 7s in a working environment. I found it very interesting in how the equipment was set up; how the lights were positioned, how he managed to get everything how he wanted, and how he was able to take the photos so fast. I was constantly asking questions as I was eager to learn and to gather any new information that could possibly be helpful in my own work as a beginner photographer. I knew when I accepted this offer to help that I wouldn’t be wasting my time as there was no scenario where I couldn’t learn a new technique or skill to apply to my own work.

Photography is hard, but also fun, and if you enjoy what you do, no matter how hard the task, it makes everything easier. Therefore, because I wanted to help, I found myself taking in more information than you would in a standard lesson. Being able to physically learn and experience what it is like to be a photographer in current times was a huge help and motivator to be able to refine my own skills. At the same time as the professional photos were being taken, I was also taking photos of my own of the processes that go on behind the scenes of the photos that you see. This is both a document for my own work and an insight into my experience on what it is like to have the opportunity to assist and learn from someone who is very experienced in the field of work that you are entering.

I am very thankful to the photographer and the rest of the team for allowing me to shadow the photographer for the day, to assist and learn about a professional photoshoot. I would be more than happy in the future to put myself forward for another opportunity like this, and I encourage anyone else who is presented an opportunity like this to take it, as you never know when you might get one again! I can truly say that this day benefitted me, and I am very thankful for the experience.

Michael, Year 12