This is definitely the project with the most security protocols. I don’t blame them. In fact, I’m really happy to see everything being enforced so strictly.
Photographing the new GP Middle School was my third project for RMA Architects.
There was a lot of coordination prior to photographing this project. You can’t just walk into a school and start taking images at will. In order to get in the school, the administrator had to scan my and my assistant’s ID’s. Then we had to wear a printed badge that was only good for one day (more on that later).
We started photographing right towards the end of the school day. This led to some early chaos, but eventually the calm of a student-free environment was perfect to get our images.
Unfortunately, the school didn’t have a “secure” place to store my gear as I photographed around the entire campus. So, we had to lug everything around for the entire session.
Back to that “One day, one badge” concept….
This was a two day shoot, so we stayed overnight in order to photograph the next morning. Everything was shot outside on this day, so I didn’t really have to talk to any of the staff.
As I arrived to campus that morning, I realized I forgot my badge. Before going back to the hotel to retrieve it, I decided to see if I could get good composition of our first image by the football field. So, I walked out there to check everything out. I found composition and left back to the hotel, not thinking much of it. Well, as I arrived back to capture the image, a police officer was waiting for me. A teacher saw me wondering around and called the cops!
The office immediately approached me, but saw I had the badge on. Not realizing I needed a new one each day, I got sent to the principal’s office!
Everyone was really cool about the situation. I’m glad they have such strict protocols to keep the kids safe.
All in all, it was a great shoot. The photos came out excellent and the clients loved them as well!
