Inspiration for documenting school life.
Some projects that have been inspiring me as I prepare to photograph the new school year.
After starting a new job in May, it's only now, after a whirlwind June and July, that I feel like I can finally come up for air. I’ve joined a company that handles public relations for most of the public school districts on Long Island. As an “account executive” for three school districts—covering eleven schools—I’m essentially a full-time content creator, dedicated to telling the stories of these schools and connecting them with the communities they serve. I absolutely love it.
My passion for photographing school life began years ago when my kids were in nursery school. But over the past two years, as I volunteered as the historian for the elementary school PTA, that passion turned into something much more. I became completely hooked, not only on the incredible work that teachers do but also on capturing the unique experiences of kids navigating the different phases of childhood.
When I was hired in late May, I was thrown straight into the deep end—graduation season! I was also juggling all the events for my own daughter’s sixth-grade moving-up ceremony. Now that I have a few months under my belt and with things slowing down over the summer, I’ve been seeking inspiration for the upcoming school year. I thought it would be fun to share a few sources of inspiration with you.
Starting with the mainstream: TV. I can’t think of a more evocative depiction of the high school experience than “Friday Night Lights.” It's definitely in my top three favorite TV series of all time. The handheld, cinematic style—especially in the pilot episode—endlessly inspires me. It perfectly captures the essence of West Texas.
During the pandemic, The New York Times produced an extraordinary podcast called “Odessa.” It’s essentially an audio documentary about a high school struggling to reopen during the pandemic, and it’s told through the experiences of students, teachers, and nurses. The podcast, created almost entirely via Facetime, Google Hangouts, and audio diaries, is truly remarkable.
From “Odessa” by the NY Times, by Tamir Kalifa
In photography, Mark Steinmetz stands out as a master at capturing the nostalgia of youth, especially in his books The Players and Summer Camp.
Image from The Players, by Mark Steinmetz
A few years ago, I discovered the work of Joseph Szabo while searching for photographers from Long Island. Szabo, who taught photography at Malverne High School for many years (including during Tony Danza’s time there!), beautifully documents the teen experience in the 1970s on Long Island. His images are a window into that era. I especially love his book Almost Grown.
Photos from Almost Grown, by Joseph Szabo
Mary Ellen Mark’s series of prom portraits are another fascinating look at school life. Each couple's uniqueness shines through in each portrait.
I also came across a video about Success Academy in NYC. It’s incredibly well-made and showcases the school in such a compelling way.
Watch the Success Academy Video
Here are a few more inspiring photo projects that take place in schools:
As I gear up for another school year, I’d love to hear from you. Are there any other projects I should check out that document school life? Let me know in the comments!
