On Tuesday 15 September, 20 students headed to the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) for the afternoon. They went to see the photos they had taken earlier in the year on display, as part of the ‘Through My Lens’ exhibition.
Waldegrave was selected as one of four secondary schools to take part in the NPG Photography Programme for Schools. The programme aims to support students to develop their skills in the art of portrait photography.
Students were asked to explore photographic portraits on display at the Gallery, in particular the Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize 2025, to gain a deeper understanding of photographic portraiture. They also had the opportunity to work with professional photographers in the NPG Photography Studio and take part in artist-led workshops in school.
The students explored the importance of connecting with the person in their portrait and considered mood and storytelling alongside formal elements such as lighting and composition. At Waldegrave students chose a variety of subjects from friends and classmates, to teachers and school support staff, including Mr Cooper from our Premises team (pictured!). Drawing on relationships within their own schools and communities, these young photographers crafted images that focus on the people who are significant to them and shape their school experience.