The Scars of School Photos

Everyone remembers the process of Picture Day. Dressed uncomfortably, lined up by grade, alphabetically and waiting for what felt like hours to a ten-year-old, all so the photographer could sit you in front of a blue or gray sheet, tilt your head and tuck your chin in unnatural ways and tell you to smile before the big flash blinded you.

This process is the closest thing to an interview on camera that most clients have ever experienced and the frame of reference they use when arranging a location for us to film. Somehow, this translates into The Big Grey Wall- the section of their office with no pictures or décor in a flat dull colour that often has a thermostat on the wall which the client has become blind to, all lit by unflattering fluorescent bulbs.

Even school portrait photographers would shutter.

When we shoot an interview, we’re looking to make the shot dynamic. This starts with an interesting background that has depth. We’ll then light you with our professional lighting kit to make you look your best. Together, this will have you looking professional while keeping the viewers attention for the 15 or 30 seconds needed to get your message across.

Portrait Photography is a very different medium than video. Its function is for your parents to have a nice photo to show your family and friends how much you’ve grown since your dinosaur phase. We’re telling the story of your business and I promise you the blank grey wall is only telling the viewers “We picked a neutral colour when we opened”.

So please, don’t be disheartened when the shooting location you offered gets a firm and merciless “no”. Let’s all move on from awkward school photos and heal from that trauma together.

HC