Our family has two generations of teachers and we older ones have only a few classroom photos. The younger teachers have albums of photos already, most taken by parents. Be sure to have double prints made so you can offer them to the teacher.
Don't forget the teachers of older children. In most cases you will have to keep in touch with the teacher to know when there will be classroom activities that will make good photographs. You can keep track of future school activities by checking the school calendar (in the office or in the hallway) The older the student, the less likely he or she will tell you of special events.
In the weeks to come I will suggest some special photographic opportunities, month-by-month. Meanwhile, here are some general school photography ideas:
1. Daily morning activities like saying the Pledge or doing a calendar activity
2. Playground or recess time
3. Science activities
4. Reading lessons
5. Students doing math with colorful manipulative items
6. Library time
7. Special classes (art, music, computers, physical education)
8. Parent-Teacher Association meetings
9. Field trips (you can request not chaperoning students so you can photograph the event)
10. Sports practices and games
11. Birthday parties
12. Classroom pets (children caring for pets, or observing or playing with the animals.
13. Family activity nights
14. Craft activities
15. Clubs and other school-sponsored after school programs
16. Dismissal time...lining up and getting on buses
17. Exteriors of the school
18. Cafeteria at lunch time
19. Office with secretaries and administrators
20. The hallway during class change (at lockers, etc.)
21. The outside of the building: entrances, any special areas, courtyards, playfields.
22. Newspaper clippings
Here are some easy layouts of general school activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
