3 minute read
Insight December 2022
by Banner Ltd
A photographer’s viewpoint
Did you know that our first days at school are among the most photographed of our lives? Along with births, weddings and graduations, school photographs have a place in almost every family album. How many of us look back with nostalgia at our own classroom portraits, or shed a tear when remembering our children’s early years?
‘The tradition of school photography is alive and well,’ says Sarah Gibson, a professional who specialises in pictures that capture the joy of children learning together. ‘I started with my own children,’ she explains ‘because I wanted something less formal than traditional portraits. From an initial commission at their nursery it’s now a substantial and growing part of my business.’
Sarah says that despite the ubiquity of social media, today’s parents still want professional pictures for their homes and to share with relatives. ‘In some ways, not much has changed since I was child. School portraits are in frames and on kitchen calendars, just as they always were. I think that reflects our sense that these are special times and milestones we should mark.’
But for all that Sarah’s style is fresh and informal, uniform plays a vital role in the end result. ‘It’s a subtle ingredient of every school picture,’ she says, ‘almost something we don’t think about, and yet without it the pictures could be taken anywhere. Of course, I’m looking to capture the individual child, but their uniform also gives context and meaning to the shots I take.’
Sarah prefers to take pictures outdoors, capturing the characters of her young subjects. ‘I spend a lot of time among them so they’re relaxed with my camera, and I’ve come to see how uniform plays a role that isn’t obvious at first. As a photographer, it means their personalities shine because of who they are, rather than what they wear.’
The message, that uniform matters and makes a positive difference, is one we passionately believe in at Banner. That’s why it’s especially pleasing to hear that parents and schools think the same. In years to come, will we still be taking photographs of our children in their classes around the country? The answer to that seems to a resounding yes, and long may it be so.
