The School Photo Podcast

schoolphotopod

Welcome to The School Photo Podcast – the show where we dive into the world of school photography, innovation, and the future of capturing school memories! We would love to chat all things School Photography with professionals across the world. Please get in touch at schoolphotopod@gmail.com Copy and paste this link to become a guest on our podcast and share your story. https://forms.gle/vxb4Pnju8WTpjRC6A

  1. 3d ago

    EP10 - From School Photos to Software Developers: Meet Amy & Melanie!

    What happens when two sisters from sunny San Diego go from photographing families on the beach to photographing thousands of schoolchildren, and then decide to start building their own software? In this episode of The School Photo Podcast, I'm joined by Amy Gray and Melanie Monroe, two sisters who have taken their photography business in a direction they probably never imagined! Starting with just one small school of 200 children, they've grown to photographing around 4,500 students and staff each year. Along the way, they've tackled everything from lighting disasters and giant pencils to complicated workflows, class composites and the never-ending challenge of editing thousands of photographs. But here's where things get really interesting. Rather than continuing to struggle with software that didn't quite do what they needed, Amy started building her own, using AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude, despite having no traditional coding background! We get into some brilliant conversations about: 📸 From beach portraits to school photography: How two sisters turned a small school photography opportunity into a much bigger business. 💡 Learning as you go: Why their first school photography lighting setup was a disaster, and what they've learnt since. ✏️ Getting creative with school portraits: Giant pencils, quirky poses, school desks and finding the balance between creativity and efficiency. 💻 Building software with AI: How Amy started creating tools to solve the everyday frustrations of running a school photography business. ⏱️ Saving hours behind the scenes: From automated cropping and student data management to class composites and ID cards. 🌎 UK vs USA school photography: Some fascinating differences in school systems, sibling photography, parent communications and how photographers operate. 🚀 Growing without losing control: Why taking on more schools isn't always the answer, especially when you're determined to maintain quality. And perhaps my favourite part of this conversation is the reminder that some of the best innovations come from people who are simply fed up with doing things the hard way! Whether you're photographing 200 children or 20,000, there's plenty here to get you thinking about your own workflows, the technology you're using and the opportunities to make life a little easier. 🎧 Grab a coffee, settle in and enjoy this brilliant conversation with Amy and Melanie! 🔗 Links & resources - https://classphoto.net/ : Amy and Melanie's school photography software tools - https://amygrayphotography.com/ Amy's photography website - www.leebrooker.co.uk : More from The School Photo Podcast and The School Photography Business Handbook If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave us a review and share it with another school photographer. It really helps us get these conversations in front of more people across the industry. #TheSchoolPhotoPodcast #SchoolPhotography #PhotographyBusiness #PhotographyWorkflow #AIForPhotographers #SchoolPhotographers #PhotographyPodcast

  2. Aug 28

    Ep 9 - Martyn Headley: Collaboration over Competition

    What if the biggest opportunity in school photography isn't winning more schools from each other, but actually working together? In the latest episode of The School Photo Podcast, I sit down with Martyn Headley from John Hunt Photography for one of those conversations that probably should happen more often in our industry. John Hunt Photography works with more than 400 schools, but what I loved about this conversation is that the challenges Martyn talks about are remarkably similar whether you're photographing 20 schools, 200 or 400+. We get into pricing, profitability, secondary schools, commission, technology, finding new revenue streams and the constant battle of deciding which of the 427 ideas in your head you should actually pursue. But the bigger conversation is about collaboration. For years, school photography has had a reputation for secrecy. Don't share your prices. Don't share your processes. Don't talk to competitors. Protect what you've got. But is that actually helping anyone? Because when you get business owners in a room together and start talking properly, you quickly realise we're dealing with many of the same problems. And someone else might already have the answer to the thing that's keeping you awake at night. This isn't an interview full of polished business answers. It's two school photography business owners comparing notes, admitting what's gone wrong, sharing what's worked and talking about where this industry could go next. If you work in school photography, run a photography business, or you're thinking about entering the industry, this is one I'd definitely stick the headphones on for.

  3. 10/23/2025

    Season 2 - Coming soon!

    We are looking for new guests to speak about your experiences in school photography.    Get in touch on the link below and lets share your story!    https://forms.gle/vxb4Pnju8WTpjRC6A

  4. 04/07/2025

    Ep 8 - Neil Sweeney: Mastering the Hustle, Heart & Health of Business

    Episode 08 – The School Photo Podcast What happens when you mix entrepreneurial drive, a passion for team culture, and a seriously sharp business brain? Well add in some great teeth and a tan and you get Mr Neil Sweeney! In this in-person episode, Neil joins us to talk through his journey from commercial property sales and security to high-growth startups and now into the world of school photography as Managing Director at Carmel Jane Photography. We dive into: What healthy business culture really looks like (hint: it's more than pizza Fridays) Why trust and transparency aren’t just buzzwords—they’re business strategy The highs, lows, and hilarious moments of scaling and selling national companies EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) and how it can bring clarity to chaos What makes a business valuable when it comes time to sell The emotional side of ‘success’—and why the celebration isn’t always what you expect How the school photography industry is evolving—and where we all go next Expect laughs, lightbulb moments, and some seriously good advice for anyone building something meaningful. 🔑 Key Topics & Timestamps 0:00 – Welcome to Colchester! 2:00 – Neil’s unexpected path into business 6:30 – Starting lean and staying real 10:50 – What healthy culture really means 15:30 – Why trust beats talent 19:00 – Business exits: confetti or confusion? 24:00 – Discovering EOS and finding focus 29:00 – Stepping into school photography with fresh eyes 37:30 – Why team buy-in changes everything 45:00 – How the industry is shifting 53:00 – The value of vulnerability in leadership 1:00:00 – Final thoughts: scale smart, lead with heart 🎙️ About Neil Sweeney Neil is a seasoned entrepreneur, leadership coach, and EOS implementer with a passion for people, performance, and doing business the right way. He’s built and exited multiple companies, and now plays a key role at Carmel Jane Photography—driving strategic growth and culture-led leadership in a fast-moving industry. 🔗 Connect with Neil on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-sweeney-23763b52/ 📸 Learn more about EOS: https://www.eosworldwide.com/neil-sweeney 💬 Let’s Chat! What did you take away from this episode? Drop a comment, leave a review, or tag us on socials with your favourite moment! Use #SchoolPhotoPodcast to join the conversation.

  5. 03/18/2025

    EP 7 – Building Brilliance in School Photography with Mags

    Welcome to another exciting episode of The School Photo Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Mags – a powerhouse in the nursery and school photography space – and our very first female guest on the show! Mags shares her incredible journey from launching her own bespoke nursery photography business to acquiring a school photography company with over 90 schools. With boundless energy and insight, she discusses the creative techniques she uses to capture natural, joyful moments in early years settings, the value of entertainers on set, and the challenges of growing a team that meets her high standards. We also explore: Her expansion into the U.S. market 🌎 Why volume photography needs more than just quality – it needs systems 💡 The role of child psychology in getting the perfect shot 🧠 Her thoughts on collaboration over competition in our industry 🤝 How to build a sustainable, people-focused business 📈 Whether you're a solo photographer, running a growing team, or just love hearing inspiring stories from behind the camera, this episode is packed with tips, laughs, and powerful takeaways. 🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to subscribe! https://www.thebrightside.uk/

  6. 03/09/2025

    Ep 6 - "Laugh First, Click Later – Doogie’s Photo Day Philosophy"

    🎧 Episode 6 – Laugh First, Click Later – Doogie’s Photo Day Philosophy In this episode, we sit down with Northern Ireland’s very own Doogie Douglas – a school photographer who brings banter, heart, and hustle to every job. Doogie shares how he swapped civil engineering for the chaos and charm of school photography, how he wins over even the most camera-shy kids, and why being silly is a serious business advantage. We talk: 📸 His hilarious tricks for making kids laugh 📆 Why February might be the new photo season 🔥 The realities of building a “lifestyle business” ❤️ How 15 minutes a day made him a better dad 💬 And yes, that time a joke nearly got him cancelled 😅 If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to survive (and thrive) in the world of school photography – this one’s for you! 👉 Listen now, laugh loads, and learn from one of the best in the biz. www.schoolphotopod.com Find Dougie at www.coolforschoolphotography.com

  7. 02/22/2025

    Ep 5 - "Think Outside the Lens": Marcelo Alvarado’s Journey in School Photography in Chile

    Episode Description: In this episode of The School Photo Podcast, I sit down with Marcelo Alvarado from Magic Photography Chile, a school photography disruptor with a fascinating backstory. From working on cruise ships to building one of the fastest-growing photography businesses in South America, Marcelo shares how he grew from zero to 30,000 students photographed in just a few years. We dive into: 📸 How Marcelo transitioned from entertainment to photography 📸 The strategy behind Magic Photography’s rapid growth 📸 The power of networking and industry innovation 📸 Building strong relationships with schools and educators 📸 How thinking outside the box can transform your business Marcelo’s journey is packed with insights on entrepreneurship, customer service, and the future of school photography. Whether you're a photographer, business owner, or just love a great success story, this episode is a must-listen! 🎧 Tune in now and let’s talk school photography! https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcelo-alvarado-aa81126b/ https://magicphotography.cl/

  8. 02/22/2025

    Ep 4 - "Photography, Business & Bold Moves – Inside David Lloyd’s Success"

    🔹 Episode Summary In this episode of The School Photo Podcast, host Lee Brooker sits down with David Lloyd, Managing Director of Aperture Portraits, to discuss his journey through the school photography industry. From unexpectedly losing his job in 2012 to building one of the UK’s most recognised school photography businesses, David shares the key lessons he’s learned, the game-changing strategies that have propelled Aperture forward, and his vision for the future of school photography. 🔹 Key Topics Covered - David’s Start in Photography (2006): From assisting at weddings to stepping into school photography. - The sudden closing of Fotek (2012): How a sudden redundancy led to the creation of Aperture Portraits. - Building a Business from Scratch: Strategies for securing schools and growing a client base. - Scaling to 400+ Schools & 10+ Photographers: The hiring challenges and how he ensured consistency across all photographers. - The Golden Ticket Initiative: Giving back to families in need with free photo packs (890+ families helped so far!). - The Power of Virtual Tours: How COVID pushed David to innovate, helping schools boost admissions with 360-degree virtual tours. - The Future of School Photography: Insights on pre-registration, digital sales, and upselling strategies. - Managing a Team & Retaining Schools: How the right culture and account management keep schools loyal. - Why Collaboration is Key: The value of industry conversations, networking, and innovation. 🔹 Notable Quotes from David “People remember two things: how the middle of the day feels and how it ends.” “A child's school years are short—every parent deserves a school photo they can cherish.” “We need to stand out and offer schools real value, not just pictures.” “Pre-registration is great, but only if you communicate it properly.” 🔹 Why Listen? This episode is packed with real-world insights for photographers, business owners, and educators. If you’re looking to grow your photography business, boost customer experience, and stay ahead in an evolving industry, this episode is a must-listen! 🎧✨ https://www.aperture-portraits.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-lloyd88/

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About

Welcome to The School Photo Podcast – the show where we dive into the world of school photography, innovation, and the future of capturing school memories! We would love to chat all things School Photography with professionals across the world. Please get in touch at schoolphotopod@gmail.com Copy and paste this link to become a guest on our podcast and share your story. https://forms.gle/vxb4Pnju8WTpjRC6A

Information

  • Creator
    schoolphotopod
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The School Photo Podcast