Of all our photos, school portraits are often the ones we treasure. Whether we showcase them on the mantelpiece or in albums, these are the prints we keep forever. And for good reason: They document important steps of childhood and bring back many happy memories.
Tempest Photography is dedicated to capturing these timeless mementoes for children and their families. The school photography leader offers individual, small-group, and large-group photography for schools across the UK and beyond.
Tempest Photography’s School Portraits
Tempest Photography is best known for its high-quality school portraits, which it has produced for over 80 years. A network of exceptional photographers operates across the UK, which means a local photographer always visits schools.
These photographers are experts not only in composition and framing but also in helping children relax on camera. Even on a busy day when hundreds of children are having their photos taken, the photographer will ensure each child is comfortable.
The portraits that Tempest captures include:
Solo Portraits and Sibling Shots
Families can choose solo portraits or photos with siblings. They can also choose a background for the photos, and their child[ren] will have two styles taken. One will be a traditional pose, and the other will be a contemporary angled, cropped shot.
Families can choose from a range of photo products that accommodate all budgets and tastes. Some products also allow the option to order prints in black and white or with multiple poses.
Premier Portraits
Premier portraits are solo or sibling shots but with additional time included for the photographer to capture a broader range of poses.
Primary Leavers Friendship Portraits
For Year 6 children, Tempest also offers Primary Leavers Friendship photographs. These portraits capture the relationships that children have made at primary school. Children can have their photos taken against a colourful brick background, which complements all school uniform colours. They also have access to fun props.
Tempest Photography’s Small-Group Photos
Tempest photographs small groups at schools, from full classes to friendship groups, clubs, and sports teams. The photography experts often capture these images to mark key occasions such as competition wins. Whatever the occasion, they always ensure that every child and teacher’s smile is visible.
Tempest offers several options for small groups, ranging from photos featuring classic poses to contemporary images that they develop using state-of-the-art digital technology:
Traditional Group Shots
Tempest’s most popular product in this category is the traditional group photo. Photographers can capture these shots inside or outside. Either way, they take time to compose a group layout where every child is visible. Many families purchase these timeless pictures to document their child’s school years.
Primary Leavers Group Shots
Tempest offers an alternative to the classic group shot for Year 6 children. A photographer captures the children with their teachers in formal and informal poses to celebrate the end of their primary school journey.
Bespoke Small Group Shots
Bespoke small-group shots capture class groups or teams in a photo on a custom-printed mount. The mounts, produced in-house using fabric printers, feature student names and the school crest. Although this option is one of Tempest’s premier products, prices begin as low as £15.
Vistas
Tempest Photography also offers vista group photos. To create one of these modern images, a photographer takes a series of group photos against a white or black backdrop. They then combine the images to form a vista in Tempest’s advanced lab.
Studio Group Shots
Another option is the studio group shot. To create this relaxed style of image, a photographer captures children against a white background. Both simple and modern, this type of photo is sure to have all personalities shining through.
In the Frame Photos
The final option for small groups is “in the frame” photos. These unique images showcase each child and teacher striking a pose in individual frames against a white backdrop. Tempest then positions these frames alongside each other against a brick-wall background in its lab. They also mount the photo, adding the school name, year, and class.
Tempest Photography’s Large-Group Photos
Tempest Photography has taken more than 30,000 large-group shots at schools over the past three decades. Whether they’re capturing a year group or a whole school, they know how to direct and include many children while embodying the school’s spirit.
Tempest provides specially manufactured aluminium staging for large-group photos. This staging holds up to 1,200 people and complies with the latest health and safety regulations. An independent structural engineer often inspects the staging, which comes with comprehensive liability insurance and features solid tread fronts.
The weight is evenly distributed over a wide area to protect playing fields and artificial surfaces. This means the staging is appropriate for both indoor and outdoor use.
If schools need to include more than 1,200 individuals, Tempest will apply some lab magic to make this happen.
Large-group shots are available to purchase in standard or premier products. Premier products include handcrafted frames and luxurious mounts. Like the bespoke small-group shots, these come custom-printed with student names and the school crest.
All schools receive a free copy of each group image to display.
Supporting Schools and Multi-Academy Trusts
Tempest Photography recognises that each school has different needs and is dedicated to meeting these.
The company assigns a dedicated project coordinator to work with a school through every detail of their photo event. This coordinator ensures the process runs smoothly. They may also encourage schools to use their grounds and buildings as natural backdrops that bring the school into the photos.
Meanwhile, the company’s quality control team maintains high standards across all schools. The team checks that all photographers are DBS checked and Tempest trained so that professionalism and company standards are always upheld.
Tempest also provides tailored services to support multi-academy trusts. These solutions ensure everyone involved in a photo event enjoys a smooth, efficient experience. For example, the company offers yearbooks, leavers’ hoodies, and visual marketing, which are available at a discounted rate for trust schools and provide a one-stop solution.
Schools within trusts also receive commission, which supports cost-saving and provides an opportunity for these schools to generate additional funds.
Learn more about Tempest’s school photography services.
About Tempest Photography
Every year, Tempest Photography processes 8.1 million images. In the autumn term alone, its outstanding photographers capture around 200,000 school portraits for families to order. The company’s cashless and paperless system makes ordering these products easy while minimising school admin.
Aside from school photography, Tempest offers early years, graduation, military, and cruise photography. As part of its commitment to social responsibility and environmental stewardship, the company keeps its environmental impact minimal by using eco-conscious materials and products.
