Ep 9 - Martyn Headley: Collaboration over Competition

What if the biggest opportunity in school photography isn't winning more schools from each other, but actually working together?

In the latest episode of The School Photo Podcast, I sit down with Martyn Headley from John Hunt Photography for one of those conversations that probably should happen more often in our industry.

John Hunt Photography works with more than 400 schools, but what I loved about this conversation is that the challenges Martyn talks about are remarkably similar whether you're photographing 20 schools, 200 or 400+.

We get into pricing, profitability, secondary schools, commission, technology, finding new revenue streams and the constant battle of deciding which of the 427 ideas in your head you should actually pursue.

But the bigger conversation is about collaboration.

For years, school photography has had a reputation for secrecy. Don't share your prices. Don't share your processes. Don't talk to competitors. Protect what you've got.

But is that actually helping anyone?

Because when you get business owners in a room together and start talking properly, you quickly realise we're dealing with many of the same problems. And someone else might already have the answer to the thing that's keeping you awake at night.

This isn't an interview full of polished business answers. It's two school photography business owners comparing notes, admitting what's gone wrong, sharing what's worked and talking about where this industry could go next.

If you work in school photography, run a photography business, or you're thinking about entering the industry, this is one I'd definitely stick the headphones on for.