The School Photo Podcast

Episode 08 – The School Photo Podcast
What happens when you mix entrepreneurial drive, a passion for team culture, and a seriously sharp business brain? Well add in some great teeth and a tan and you get Mr Neil Sweeney!
In this in-person episode, Neil joins us to talk through his journey from commercial property sales and security to high-growth startups and now into the world of school photography as Managing Director at Carmel Jane Photography.
We dive into:
What healthy business culture really looks like (hint: it's more than pizza Fridays)
Why trust and transparency aren’t just buzzwords—they’re business strategy
The highs, lows, and hilarious moments of scaling and selling national companies
EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) and how it can bring clarity to chaos
What makes a business valuable when it comes time to sell
The emotional side of ‘success’—and why the celebration isn’t always what you expect
How the school photography industry is evolving—and where we all go next
Expect laughs, lightbulb moments, and some seriously good advice for anyone building something meaningful.
🔑 Key Topics & Timestamps
0:00 – Welcome to Colchester! 2:00 – Neil’s unexpected path into business 6:30 – Starting lean and staying real 10:50 – What healthy culture really means 15:30 – Why trust beats talent 19:00 – Business exits: confetti or confusion? 24:00 – Discovering EOS and finding focus 29:00 – Stepping into school photography with fresh eyes 37:30 – Why team buy-in changes everything 45:00 – How the industry is shifting 53:00 – The value of vulnerability in leadership 1:00:00 – Final thoughts: scale smart, lead with heart
🎙️ About Neil Sweeney
Neil is a seasoned entrepreneur, leadership coach, and EOS implementer with a passion for people, performance, and doing business the right way. He’s built and exited multiple companies, and now plays a key role at Carmel Jane Photography—driving strategic growth and culture-led leadership in a fast-moving industry.
🔗 Connect with Neil on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-sweeney-23763b52/ 📸 Learn more about EOS: https://www.eosworldwide.com/neil-sweeney
💬 Let’s Chat!
What did you take away from this episode? Drop a comment, leave a review, or tag us on socials with your favourite moment! Use #SchoolPhotoPodcast to join the conversation.

Welcome to another exciting episode of The School Photo Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Mags – a powerhouse in the nursery and school photography space – and our very first female guest on the show!
Mags shares her incredible journey from launching her own bespoke nursery photography business to acquiring a school photography company with over 90 schools. With boundless energy and insight, she discusses the creative techniques she uses to capture natural, joyful moments in early years settings, the value of entertainers on set, and the challenges of growing a team that meets her high standards.
We also explore:
Her expansion into the U.S. market 🌎
Why volume photography needs more than just quality – it needs systems 💡
The role of child psychology in getting the perfect shot 🧠
Her thoughts on collaboration over competition in our industry 🤝
How to build a sustainable, people-focused business 📈
Whether you're a solo photographer, running a growing team, or just love hearing inspiring stories from behind the camera, this episode is packed with tips, laughs, and powerful takeaways.
🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to subscribe!https://www.thebrightside.uk/ 

🎧 Episode 6 – Laugh First, Click Later – Doogie’s Photo Day Philosophy
In this episode, we sit down with Northern Ireland’s very own Doogie Douglas – a school photographer who brings banter, heart, and hustle to every job.
Doogie shares how he swapped civil engineering for the chaos and charm of school photography, how he wins over even the most camera-shy kids, and why being silly is a serious business advantage.
We talk:📸 His hilarious tricks for making kids laugh📆 Why February might be the new photo season🔥 The realities of building a “lifestyle business”❤️ How 15 minutes a day made him a better dad💬 And yes, that time a joke nearly got him cancelled 😅
If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to survive (and thrive) in the world of school photography – this one’s for you!
👉 Listen now, laugh loads, and learn from one of the best in the biz.www.schoolphotopod.com
Find Dougie at www.coolforschoolphotography.com 
 

Episode Description:
In this episode of The School Photo Podcast, I sit down with Marcelo Alvarado from Magic Photography Chile, a school photography disruptor with a fascinating backstory. From working on cruise ships to building one of the fastest-growing photography businesses in South America, Marcelo shares how he grew from zero to 30,000 students photographed in just a few years.
We dive into:📸 How Marcelo transitioned from entertainment to photography📸 The strategy behind Magic Photography’s rapid growth📸 The power of networking and industry innovation📸 Building strong relationships with schools and educators📸 How thinking outside the box can transform your business
Marcelo’s journey is packed with insights on entrepreneurship, customer service, and the future of school photography. Whether you're a photographer, business owner, or just love a great success story, this episode is a must-listen!
🎧 Tune in now and let’s talk school photography!https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcelo-alvarado-aa81126b/https://magicphotography.cl/ 

🔹 Episode Summary In this episode of The School Photo Podcast, host Lee Brooker sits down with David Lloyd, Managing Director of Aperture Portraits, to discuss his journey through the school photography industry. From unexpectedly losing his job in 2012 to building one of the UK’s most recognised school photography businesses, David shares the key lessons he’s learned, the game-changing strategies that have propelled Aperture forward, and his vision for the future of school photography.
🔹 Key Topics Covered - David’s Start in Photography (2006): From assisting at weddings to stepping into school photography.
- The sudden closing of Fotek (2012): How a sudden redundancy led to the creation of Aperture Portraits.
- Building a Business from Scratch: Strategies for securing schools and growing a client base.
- Scaling to 400+ Schools & 10+ Photographers: The hiring challenges and how he ensured consistency across all photographers.
- The Golden Ticket Initiative: Giving back to families in need with free photo packs (890+ families helped so far!).
- The Power of Virtual Tours: How COVID pushed David to innovate, helping schools boost admissions with 360-degree virtual tours.
- The Future of School Photography: Insights on pre-registration, digital sales, and upselling strategies.
- Managing a Team & Retaining Schools: How the right culture and account management keep schools loyal.
- Why Collaboration is Key: The value of industry conversations, networking, and innovation.
🔹 Notable Quotes from David
“People remember two things: how the middle of the day feels and how it ends.”
“A child's school years are short—every parent deserves a school photo they can cherish.”
“We need to stand out and offer schools real value, not just pictures.”
“Pre-registration is great, but only if you communicate it properly.”
🔹 Why Listen?
This episode is packed with real-world insights for photographers, business owners, and educators. If you’re looking to grow your photography business, boost customer experience, and stay ahead in an evolving industry, this episode is a must-listen! 🎧✨
https://www.aperture-portraits.co.uk/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-lloyd88/
 

In this episode of The School Photo Podcast, we’re joined by Ian Hatch, a true veteran of the school photography industry. With over 30 years of experience, Ian has seen it all—from starting out in a high-street studio, growing a photography business to 1,500 schools, working at Tempest Photography, and ultimately building his own successful brand in Cornwall.
We chat about:✅ Ian’s journey into school photography (spoiler: he didn’t plan it!)✅ The power of relationships in retaining school contracts✅ How technology and AI are shaping the future of school photography✅ Ian’s Moving Memories concept—bringing school photos to life with video✅ The great printing vs outsourcing debate✅ Running a photography business that works for you
Packed with insights, industry wisdom, and plenty of laughs, this episode is a must-listen for photographers, business owners, and anyone fascinated by the school photography industry.
🔊 Listen now and don’t forget to subscribe!
Guest: Ian Hatch
📸 Founder of MoFoto – A thriving online community for school photographers📸 School photography expert with over 30 years of experience📸 Ambassador for Moving Memories
Connect with Ian:
➡️ MoFoto Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/320579609634191/
Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
🎯 Moving Memories – Ian’s innovative way of linking videos to school photos🎯 GotPhoto & Netlife – School photography workflow solutions🎯 SPAC Conference – The international school photography event🎯 UK School Photography Conference – A growing industry event
 

Episode Summary: In this episode of The School Photo Podcast, I'm joined by industry veteran Andy Molloy, who has been in school photography for over five decades! Andy shares his fascinating journey, from growing up in a family of photographers to pioneering change in the Spanish school photography market. We discuss: 📸 How Andy’s father introduced colour school photography in the UK 🇪🇸 The challenges and opportunities of bringing digital and online ordering to Spain 🚀 The role of AI, automation, and new technology in transforming the industry 🎭 Why personality and engagement matter more than just pressing a button 💡 How small photographers can compete with the big players We also dive into hilarious and insightful stories from the field, including how Andy gets entire classes to smile naturally by pouring water over his own head. Trust me, you won’t want to miss that one! Tune in for an episode packed with wisdom, laughter, and game-changing insights for anyone in the school photography business. 🔗 Links & Resources: Connect with Andy Molloy https://www.lightroomphotography.co.uk/httpswwwlightroomphotographycoukabout

In this very first episode of The School Photo Podcast, we sit down with Harri Olkinuora, a key figure in the school photography industry, to discuss the past, present, and future of school photography.
Harri shares his incredible journey—from his early days in football management to becoming a leading voice in school photography software solutions. He reveals:
✅ How technology and AI are transforming school photography✅ Why collaboration is the key to survival in an evolving market✅ The biggest mistakes photographers are making (and how to fix them)✅ Entertaining industry stories, including a parent scandal over “Photoshopped” lipstick and a time when a major photography company had to simulate the internet!
This episode is packed with insights, humour, and industry-changing ideas. If you're in school photography, this is an episode you can’t afford to miss!

Here is a brief 5 minute explanation of our plan and mission and what we are looking to achieve from this very niche podcast. We would love to welcome on new guests, so please visit www.schoolphotopod.com to get involved. 
Thanks, Lee