Ep 4 - "Photography, Business & Bold Moves – Inside David Lloyd’s Success"

🔹 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/