Tempest Photography

11.12.24

Tempest Photography Managing Director Rob Tempest talks about one of Europe's most state-of-the-art digital laboratories, its origin, vision and creative process.

Can you tell us about Tempest Photography’s origins?

Tempest Photography was started nearly 100 years ago by Horace Tempest, who had a real passion for capturing special moments through the lens. It all began as a small family business, focused on quality and doing things properly, and it’s grown into one of the UK’s top names in school and group photography. Despite all the changes over the years, we’ve stuck to the same core values—attention to detail, high standards, and genuinely caring about the people we work with. We’ve moved with the times, bringing in new technology and expanding our services, but at its heart, Tempest is still very much run like a family business, with that same attitude that Horace started it all with.

What’s the philosophy behind Tempest Photography’s approach to capturing moments?

We believe that every photo should tell a story and capture the true character of the moment. Whether it’s a school portrait or a large group shot, we focus on creating images that families will treasure for years to come. We aim to make the experience as relaxed and enjoyable as possible, especially for children, so that their natural smiles and personalities shine through. For us, it’s not just about snapping a picture—it’s about creating a lasting memory that reflects those special moments in people’s lives.

With decades of history, how has Tempest Photography’s vision evolved while staying true to its roots?

As mentioned previously, at our core we’ve always believed in three things: quality, professionalism, and genuine care for the people we serve. Those principles have always been at the centre of what we do, but we’ve also moved with the times to keep up with what our clients and the industry need. Over the years, we’ve taken on new technologies, like digital photography and online proofing, to make sure our service is modern and easy to use. But even with all the updates, we’ve never lost that personal touch and attention to detail that’s been with us from day one.

What’s the creative process that defines Tempest Photography’s unique style?

We’re all about creating photos that look polished and put-together, but still have plenty of life in them. Our photographers approach each shoot with technical precision, but what sets us apart is our ability to make the process feel natural. When working with large groups, the goal is to create balance within the frame while capturing the collective energy. For individual portraits, the goal is to make the subject feel at ease, allowing their personality to come through in a way that feels genuine, not forced. Once the photos are taken, our advanced digital lab quality controls every detail, from lighting to composition, to deliver a final product that meets our high standards. Our team has the ability to capture a moment that feels alive, even within the formal structure of a staged setting.

How do you build strong client relationships to ensure their vision is captured perfectly?

Building solid relationships with our clients really comes down to having a good chat and making sure we’re on the same page from the get-go. We make a point of listening closely to what they’re after, and each project is assigned a dedicated photographer or account manager who provides a consistent point of contact that knows the ins and outs of the brief. We also pride ourselves on being flexible. If changes need to be made on the day of the shoot, we’re more than happy to adjust, ensuring the final result reflects exactly what the client had in mind. Our photographers are experienced enough to adapt on the spot, so the process runs smoothly and everyone involved feels at ease. At the end of the day, it’s all about building trust. We want our clients to feel comfortable and confident that we’ll deliver just what they had in mind.

How do you approach large group photography, such as whole-school or year group shots, to ensure a smooth and safe process while capturing high-quality images?

When it comes to large group photography we have a well-established process to ensure everything runs smoothly and safely. We’ve been doing this for over 30 years and have photographed groups as large as 2,238 pupils, so we’re well-equipped to handle big numbers. A big part of that is our specially designed aluminium staging, which can safely hold large groups. It’s fully up to date with health and safety standards and gets regularly checked over by an independent structural engineer. Our photographers are well-practised at getting everyone organised quickly, making sure the whole process is easy and stress-free. We also pay close attention to ensuring that every person is clearly visible in the final image, which is critical for capturing a high-quality shot.

Photographing young children can sometimes be challenging. How does Tempest Photography ensure a positive and stress-free experience when working with early years or primary school children?

We know that working with little ones can be a bit of a challenge at times, but our photographers are trained to make the whole experience fun and easy. We always take a bit more time with younger kids to help them feel comfortable in front of the camera. A lot of our photographers are parents themselves, so they know how to chat to the kids and get those natural, happy smiles. We’ve even written a little storybook, Meet Timmy & Tilly, to help children feel more at ease on photo day, tackling any worries they might have. It’s all part of making sure they enjoy the experience. We work closely with the nursery or school staff to keep things running smoothly, and do our best to make the sessions quick and fun so the kids stay engaged.

Beyond photography, what other services does Tempest Photography offer to enhance your clients’ experiences?

We want to make things as seamless and straightforward as possible for our clients. That’s why we’ve partnered with other companies to offer a range of services beyond just photography. For schools, we don’t stop at taking pictures—we also provide custom yearbooks and leavers’ hoodies, thanks to our partnerships with AllYearbooks and MOXIE. We also offer visual marketing through Jolt Media, which covers everything from aerial videos to professional headshots and promo material. For graduation events, we’ve made the process even easier by offering gowning services through our Graduate Gowning Company (GGC). From outfit hire to on-the-day fittings, we take care of it all using an efficient RFID system that speeds up the process for students. Plus, our e-ticketing service helps universities manage large events smoothly, keeping everything organised.

What’s one of the most memorable shoots you’ve done and why?

One of the most memorable shoots we’ve done has to be a whole-school photo with over 2,200 pupils. It was a bit of a logistical challenge, to say the least, but it really sticks in the mind because it showed what we can do when it comes to large-scale photography. We brought in our specially designed staging to fit everyone safely, and the photographers did a cracking job getting everyone in position.

What made it so memorable wasn’t just the size of the group, but the atmosphere on the day. There was a real buzz, and even with that many people, we managed to capture an image where every face is clear, and the whole photo just feels full of life. It was one of those days where everything just clicked, and the school was absolutely over the moon with the result. It’s a great example of how we can handle the big, tricky shoots while still delivering top-notch photos that capture the spirit of the day.

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