Performing Arts Photography for Schools & Colleges

Capturing the magic of performing arts in schools and colleges is both a challenge and a joy. The hours of dedication from students and staff—the rehearsals, fine-tuning, and creative collaboration—deserve to be showcased with photography that truly does justice to their hard work. Whether it’s a school play, musical, dance recital, or concert, the right images can bring these moments to life for prospectuses, websites, and social media.

Performing arts photography requires a careful balance of creativity and technical skill. Low lighting, fast movement, and challenging angles are all part of the process, but with my experience in this field, I know how to adapt to these conditions while remaining discreet and unobtrusive. My aim is to capture high-impact, atmospheric images that reflect the energy and emotion of the performance without disrupting the flow of the event.

Production photography of Little Women by a London performing arts college. A stage with a full cast dancing and blue stage lights highlighting a couple dancing
Production photography of Chigago by the drama department of London School. Image shows a female actor singing with arms out and cast behind
Production photography of Sweeny Todd by a London performing arts college. Image shows a female holding up a hand next to a glowing furnace
Production photography of When the Inspector Calls by drama department at London School. Picture shows a group of male actors looking down at two men on the floor who are hugging each other
Production photography of Ebeneezer by a London performing arts college. Images shows female in night dress and hat holding a candle in blue light.
Production photography of Little Women by a London performing arts college. Two female actors kneel on the stage holding a kite with stage lights behind
Production photography of school drama performance - student actor stands in middle of stage with mega phone with other actors blurring past
Production photography of Tail of Two Cities by a Drama department of London school. Male actor stands at front of stage with crowd behind cheering
Production photography of Macbeth by Drama department of London School. Witch holds a long stick and has her hand out with red lights and smoke
Production photography of Macbeth by the drama department of London School. A king wearing a crown stands, leaning on a stick, with a blue light behind

Showcasing the Power of Performance

Performing arts productions are often the centerpiece of a school or college’s creative offerings, so it’s essential that the photography reflects their significance. I focus on capturing the details that make each performance unique—whether it’s the dramatic tension of a scene, the fluidity of a dancer’s movements, or the harmony of a musical ensemble. These moments tell a story that goes beyond the stage and highlights the dedication and talent of the students involved.

Production photography of Beauty and the Beast by a London performing arts college. Image shows the Beauty holding a big book with the Beast standing behind.
Production photography of Legally Blond by a London schools drama department. Image shows a female actor wearing a pink suit singing with her arms out and other female actors all wearing pink dancing behind.
Production photography of Sweeny Todd by the drama department of London School. Image shows 2 female actors in costume holding up lanterns
Production photography of Chigago by the drama department of London School. Image shows a lone female actor leaning against a black wall with a spotlight from above
Production photography of Spamalot by the drama department of London School. Image shows a young actor dressed as a king singing with his hands out to the camera.
Production photography of West Side Story by the drama department of London School. Image shows a young male actor singing with arms out and a advertising sign with the work "Good" on it behind.
Production photography of Lord of the Flies by the drama department of London School. Image shows3 young actors looking out over the camera with a jungle and moon behind.
Production photography of Chariots of Fire by the drama department of London School. Image shows silhouette of 5 people with shadows coming towards the camera.
Production photography of Sweeny Todd by the drama department of London School. Image shows a female actor holding her tummy, covered in blood with red light behind.
Production photography of Little Women by the drama department of London performing arts college. Image shows 2 famle actors embracing in foreground with 2 other actors sitting behind next to a book shelf
Production photography of Chigago by the drama department of London School. Image shows a female actor half lying on floor with cast standing behind
Production photography of Ebenzeer by the drama department of London School. Image shows a female actor in costume singing with her arms out and other cast members behind

Celebrating Creativity and Collaboration

Performing arts photography isn’t just about the show itself—it’s about the process. Rehearsals, backstage preparations, and candid moments of teamwork are just as important as the final performance. I love documenting the full journey, from the early stages of production to the curtain call. These behind-the-scenes glimpses offer a deeper connection to the creativity and collaboration at the heart of the performing arts.

Performing arts photography of male music student performing on stage with purple light behind.
Live performing arts photography of Male student hold base guitar and smiles whilst playing on stage with red and yellow light beams through smoke behind
live music - Performing Arts Photography of a school orchestra playing on stage with a violinist standing playing a solo and a conductor in foreground and the rest of the orchestra behind.
live music - Performing Arts Photography showing a female conductor looking towards the camera holding a baton with out of focus musician in foreground
Live performing arts photography showing female student looking up whilst playing a violin in an orchestra.
Live perofamnce photography of young man in a choir looking across at his friends and smiling whilst holding hymn sheets
Violin soloist playing during an orchestral performance live on stage

Theatre, dance, rehearsal and production photography

Testimonials

  • “Whitgift has called on Danny’s photographic talents for many years. He is a great personality to work with – you can always depend on him to be versatile and creative with any project he is tasked with.”

    Whitgift School

  • We have worked with Danny many times over the past two years at Royal Russell, including for our Open Morning and a number of our Drama productions. He is highly professional and easy to work with, always making a real effort to understand the brief and delivering vibrant, engaging photos that showcase the School. Danny has an excellent manner with both pupils and staff, giving clear direction while ensuring everyone feels at ease.

    Royal Russell School

  • I cannot recommend Danny highly enough. He was a pleasure to work with, professional, creative, so patient and just lovely. He understood exactly what we wanted and captured the essence of Ripley Court School beautifully, and the photos are simply stunning. A truly talented photographer!

    Ripley Court School

  • "Danny works with utmost professionalism and efficiency. Confident in framing shots, he knows how to put students and staff at ease, resulting in images that feel natural, relaxed, and perfectly capture the essence of the school."

    St Pauls Girls School International

  • Danny is not only a talented and wonderful photographer but a great communicator with a great personality. He spent a full day at our school and captured some beautiful photographs, not only due his technical skills but also because he was able to put the children (and staff) at ease and make them feel comfortable, he consequently supplied some lovely natural shots for us to use.

    Shoreham College

  • Danny was a pleasure to work with. We gave him a challenging brief and he delivered all requirements to a very high standard and in a professional manner. The photography produced was perfectly on brief

    Brighton Girls School

  • Throughout this process we found Danny to be creative, methodical and attentive. We had a very tight schedule to work to, and at no point did we have to waiver from what we were hoping to get from the day. In all aspects of the process Danny was able to offer detailed and experienced advice. Since the initial prospectus work was completed, we have gone on to use the images across the wider marketing of the academy and Trust.”

    Orminstan Six Villages School

  • I love booking Danny for jobs at Queen’s Gate. Whether it’s for prospectus photography or a one-off event, he’s amazing at capturing the essence and the energy of the girls. I’m always so happy with the results

    Queens Gate School

  • “The whole experience of using DFphotography was extremely positive for us from the initial booking right through to post production. With Danny’s ability and knowledge of school photography we were able to get numerous quality photographs of different types, natural and the more staged all around the site in one day. The post production photos were the best we’ve received at the school since we opened and this has enabled us to have a great looking website and prospectus this year.”

    Shoreham Academy

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Logo of Sevenoaks School featuring a shield with a seated figure holding a scepter, flanked by two standing figures, and the school's name below.
Logo of Danes Hill School with a black silhouette of a flying bird
Shoreham Academy logo with a stylized tree and the text 'Shoreham Academy' above and 'The best in everyone' below.
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The badge of the City of London Freemen's School featuring a coat of arms with a shield, a red cross, a lion's face, and a black eagle, along with the Latin motto 'Domine Dirige Nos', and the text 'City of London Freemen's School' underneath.
Logo of Battle Abbey School featuring a shield with an owl and the motto 'Foy Est Tout', established in 1912.
A white crest with floral and heraldic elements on a blue background, featuring a hand holding a flaming torch, and the text 'ALLEY N'S' and the year '1619'.
Logo of Croydon High School with a navy blue and yellow emblem and text indicating it is for girls aged 3-18, with GDST abbreviation.
Logo with white cursive text saying 'Queen's Gate' on a dark blue background.
School crest for Ormiston Six Villages Academy with a shield featuring a stylized flame, a crescent moon, and dolphins, along with the academy's name and the motto 'Excellence for All' on a yellow banner.
White Gift logo featuring a gold heraldic emblem with a unicorn at the top and Christian cross elements, and the text 'WHITE GIFT' underneath.