Once upon a time to say you were a wedding photographer was the equivalent of saying, “I have no art in my soul.” You could never claim to be a wedding photographer and expect to be taken as a serious artist. Thankfully we have evolved beyond those stereotypes. Today, Wedding photographers are among some of the most respected and innovative in the industry. And then there is the lowly school portrait photographer. Just saying the title conjures up visions of herds of children lined up and processed like a production line, 200 per hour.
Mark, cheese, next.
Unfortunately, that stereotype of the school portrait is not far from the truth. We still see canned smiles blasted with canned lights, pasted against fake backgrounds. There’s not much art to it. In fact, many of the school portrait “photographers” have no experience beyond their 4 hours of on-the-job training. There are, however, a handful of independent photographers, and smaller companies, trying to bring the true art of portrait photography to the school setting.
The School Portrait Meets Portrait Photographer
I work with Mugsy Clicks as an independent photographer. Mugsy Clicks provides all the backend technology, sales, customer service, and school services. I provide the skill, experience, and art of a children’s portrait photographer. Here, in the video below, is Mugsy Clicks founder, Linda Russell, explaining the heart and soul of school portraits worth framing.
