Inclusive Photography in Schools: An Introduction

At Lafayette Photography, we understand the importance of capturing formative moments in people’s lives; school days, corporate events, graduations, and many more. However, when it comes to school picture day, ensuring it is a joyous occasion for every child is something we take particular pride in and is something that we are continually striving to improve at.  

A school picture represents an immortalised moment in a child's life that people can reflect upon as a moment of a child’s growth and development as they progress through their educational journey. 

Much more than that though a school picture represents a more innocent and carefree time in a person's young life. A day where they could truly express themselves. A moment that a family will be able to cherish forever.   

On this day our photographers work to ensure every child has a platform where they can;  

• Be seen. 
• Feel special.
• Be empowered. 
• Express themselves

That is why it is crucial to the team at Lafayette Photography that this platform is accessible to all children, especially for those children who are from diverse cultural backgrounds or have additional needs or disabilities.

At Lafayette Photography we take pride in our ability and experience in creating safe environments for children whilst being photographed. Our team of vetted photographers work to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all children on school picture day. 

With minimum disruption to the school day, we can work with staff and caregivers to ensure we remain sensitive to the needs of all children. We achieve this by implementing practices designed to assist children who with SEN or additional needs.  

These practices include:  

• Familiarity: Where possible we will always choose a location that is familiar to a child with SEN or disabilities when photographing them. 
• Sensory Awareness: We always ensure that we avoid overstimulating environments when photographing vulnerable children; avoiding harsh lighting, loud noises or other forms of overstimulation.
• Positive Language: We offer every child encouragement and support throughout the session. Patience: If a child is feeling distressed, overwhelmed or anxious, we will take as many breaks as needed.
• Build a Rapport: We allow all children to get used to our presence before starting the photography session.Accessibility: we will always ensure that any location we use for photographing will be accessible for all children.
• Caregivers: We will liaise with caregivers throughout the session to ensure the well-being of the child.

By implementing these practices, the team at Lafayette Photography aims to create a positive, inclusive and memorable school picture day for all children.

For children from different ethnic, religious, and cultural background,s the team at Lafayette Photography understands that representation is crucial to their personal development and understanding of the world around them.  

We are incredibly sensitive to the need for children to be able to fully express and represent who they are and their heritage. In order to create a safe, inclusive and representative atmosphere, our photographers will always work to ensure that every requirement is met. 

We aim to achieve this with;

• Inclusive Backgrounds: At Lafayette, we have an incredible range of backgrounds and backdrops featuring diverse landscapes, people, and activities. We also undertake every precaution to avoid backgrounds that may perpetuate stereotypes. 
• Diverse Clothing: We will actively encourage and support children to wear clothing that is reflective of their cultural heritage.
• A Respect For Cultural Traditions: We work to understand how cultural traditions may affect how children will be photographed. We actively encourage families to share their cultural preferences with us to make the day as special as possible.
• Celebrating Individuality: Every child is unique and it’s always our aim to give each child the platform to express themselves in their own way.
• Using Positive Language: We continually praise and words of encouragement to ensure children feel valued, confident and accepted.

Contact us today to find out more about our school photography services.