Small World Photography was founded in 1972 by Stan Hoyle and Jo Hoyle. They were inspired by their father Joseph B Hoyle who had been a serious advanced amateur photographer for many years before that.
They started by photographing Preschools, Child Care Centers, Child Development Centers, Children’s Summer Day Camps, Dance schools, and other children’s organizations in Massachusetts and Illinois. By 1973 They were able to build up clientele in other New England states and also in the Mid West.
In 1974 Joseph B. Hoyle and Olga Hoyle and Sherry Hoyle joined the team. At that time Joseph B. Hoyle was in charge of shipping, Olga Hoyle was in charge of bookkeeping and office work, and Sherry Hoyle helped with office work and shipping and receiving. Other relatives soon joined as part time workers.
In 1973, Stan and Jo noticed that many other photographers were offering a clown show or magic show or music or other entertainment for children as ways to develop friendly interaction with children before photographing them. Stan and Jo decided to offer Stan-Jo the Clown as a fun way to introduce themselves to the children. They quickly discovered that children ages three to five years old were thrilled to find out that their photographer knew how to do magic tricks and allowed the children to participate if they desired.
Word spread quickly throughout ten states that Small World Photography not only did very high quality children’s photography but they also offered educational entertainment for the children. The owners and directors at children’s organizations found they could provide the parents with high quality child photography and use some of the money they collected as a fund raiser for the school.
We have recently decided to concentrate most of our efforts on preschool photography. We like working in situations where children can have fun while they learn. We noticed that the best childcare centers are run as learning situations for the children, whether they call themselves preschools, childcare, or child development centers or any other name.
In the beginning, we noticed it was disruptive for the teachers to move the children first for the clown show, then for the portraits and then again for the class group photos. We worked on several methods of making these procedures go smoothly for the teachers. We soon realized that no two organizations were exactly the same and therefore began keeping records of how each children’s center wanted to organize picture day.
Some alternatives that seem to be popular are to start by doing portraits for one class of older children who are not shy. This tends to help get some teachers and parent helpers comfortable with procedures that might be used on the rest of picture day. This can be followed by doing a clown show for ages three to five only. Children younger than three will get to see the clown show after they turn three.
It seems to work well if the room for portraits is located near the classrooms for younger children. It is usually best to avoid starting with group photos because this can cause problems if a child is late for the group photos. If a child is absent on picture day it is possible for us to photograph that child on makeup day, then Photoshop that child into the proper group photo. We prefer to avoid doing this for more than three children in any one group. If you have many children for the same group who are not scheduled for the same day, then we recommend that you designate two names for that group e.g. MWF class and Tu Th class.
The best place to do class group photos for younger children is usually in their classroom. The photographer will wear shoe covers when going into an infant toddler classroom. It is optional if the organization wants to provide a special room for all group photos. A designated group photo room speeds up the photo process because we don’t have to keep moving the equipment and furniture, then setting it up again. If the room for portraits is large enough, then both groups and portraits can be done in the same room. This is the preferred way if you have enough space.
An option that is becoming popular is to also take some additional candid photos of children in their classrooms doing whatever is normal for children to do on a regular day.
Because the candid photos do not disrupt normal activities, they can be done on a different day and sold separately on the internet. Candid photos can even be taken during the winter because parents can buy them on the internet. In order to maintain security and privacy for the parents, any photos purchased on the internet are shipped to the school unless specifically authorized by the director.
Our portraits are taken in a designated area because we use a full professional studio set-up. This helps us take the highest quality professional portraiture, on a level equal to studio photographers who charge four to ten times the prices we charge. The photographer provides disposable combs, gloves and nose wipes.
If you wish to have outdoor photos, please schedule your school photos for the time of year when the trees will have bright green leaves on them such as September or May. If a child is absent on picture day, we can use green screen on makeup day. If the weather outside is frightful on picture day, then we recommend taking indoor pictures on that day. If you have a MOM and Toddler class in the fall that only meets one day per week, then we recommend photographing that class later on makeup day after the young, new children have become acclimated to being in school.
If you wish to freeze your pricelist so prices can’t be raised, you can ask for a two or three year contract. You don’t need a contract if you prefer not to sign one.
Please feel free to request further information.