Shadow of a graduate in cap and gown cast on a golden stone wall in warm sunlight.

 

exupery international school

 

A Living Story of School Life

 

by Christelle Terzian

 

 

A Documentary approach to Modern school photography

 

A note from Christelle Terzian


Welcome!


It is with great pleasure that I present to you a custom proposal, created uniquely for Exupery International School.


This concept was developed with your environment, values, and community in mind — with the intention of enhancing both your digital presence and the everyday experience of your families.


I am a photographer based in Riga, and my work is rooted in capturing the moments that often go unseen — the small details, the interactions, and the quiet in-between that shape how we experience a place.


In schools, these moments are everything.



They are where confidence builds, friendships form, and individuality begins to take shape — yet they are rarely documented in a way that feels true to reality.


Before moving into photography, I studied Hospitality Management and spent years working in service-driven environments. This has shaped how I approach my work today — with a strong awareness of experience, perception, and the importance of detail in building trust.


I am particularly interested in creating opportunities where students can also take part in the creative process, allowing the visual identity of the school to be shaped not only around them, but with them.


This proposal is an invitation to collaborate — to create a visual language that reflects not only what Exupery offers, but how it feels to be part of it.


I hope you enjoy going through it as much as I did creating it.


I look forward to continuing the conversation.


With love,

Christelle T.

Silhouettes of students celebrating in a bright school hallway, tossing graduation caps.
Black and white photo of students studying at desks in a classroom with large windows.
Group of smiling friends looking down through staircase railings in a fun candid photo.

What schools show vs. what parents experience


Most school photography focuses on:

Staged portraits

Key milestones

Structured, “perfect” moments


But daily school life is far richer than that.


Parents:

> Spend most of the day away from their children <

> Trust the school with their development and well-being <

> Rarely get to see what that experience actually looks like <


Result:

A gap between what is lived and what is shared.

 

Houston, we have a problem.

Smiling woman in rust blouse arranging colorful art prints on a wooden table in a creative studio.
Group of students and teacher posing in a school gymnasium with basketballs.
Young woman in white blouse and pink trousers standing among tall bookshelves in a vintage library.
Silhouettes of students celebrating in a school hallway with bright light at the end.
Black and white photo of students studying at desks in a classroom.
Redhead boy with colorful sticky notes on his face and uniform in classroom.
Three happy children in school uniforms running outdoors on a sunny day.
Young boy sitting in a wooden chair in front of a chalkboard filled with math equations.
Collage of nine group photos featuring stylish young people posing together on a white background.
Students in school uniforms laughing and running through a bright hallway with large windows.

 

GOALS OF THIS PROPOSAL

 

goal nº1:

create emotional connection

 

Allow parent to feel present in their child's daily life – while creating imagery that is beautiful and functional.

 

goal nº2:

create visual identity

Build a consistent, refined, and modern image library for the school.

goal nº3:

encourage creative expression

Document real moments of growth, interaction, and environment – not just miilestones.

Young woman in white blouse and pink trousers standing among tall bookshelves in a vintage library.

VISUAL DIRECTION:

Candid | Observational | Natural Light | Editorial | Human | Unscripted | Atmospheric | Refined

 

THE PROPOSAL

 

1 / 6

Black and white photo of students studying at desks in a classroom.
PART nº1

DAILY SCHOOL LIFE

  • Classroom interactions
  • Independant work
  • Teacher guidance
  • Small, unnoticed moments

1 / 6

Young woman standing in a vintage library surrounded by shelves of old books.
PART nº2

ENVIRONMENT & ATMOSPHERE

  • Architecture & spaces
  • Light, textures, materials
  • Quiet moments between activities
  • What it feels like to be there

1 / 6

Silhouettes of students celebrating in a school hallway with bright light at the end.
PART nº3

COMMUNITY & CONNECTION

  • Friendships
  • Group work
  • Social interaction
  • Emotional expression

1 / 6

Shadow of a graduate in cap and gown cast on a golden stone wall in warm sunlight.
PART nº4

EVENTS & MILESTONES

  • Performances
  • Celebrations
  • School events
  • Captured naturally, not staged

1 / 6

Smiling woman in rust blouse arranging colorful art prints on a wooden table in a creative studio.
PART nº5

STAFF & EDUCATORS

  • Teachers in action
  • Leadership presence
  • Humanising the team

1 / 6

Group of students and teacher posing in a school gymnasium with basketball and wall murals.
PART nº6

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

Extending photography beyond documentation


If of interest, there is also an opportunity to introduce photography more directly to students.


This could take the form of:

  • Supporting or initiating a photography club
  • Introducing students to visual storytelling and observation
  • Guiding them in capturing their own environment and perspectives
  • Collaborating with existing clubs to create themed portrait sessions, developed together from start to finish (engage in moodboarding, team work, leadership, creative direction)


I'm happy to contribute in a way that complements your existing programs and resources.

1 / 6

FAQ

Will photography disrupt the school day?

The bulk of it will not disrupt the school day. Posed portraits and group photos can be organised in advance so that school can carry on as normal with no unnecessary delays. The approach is otherwise fully observational and non-intrusive to lessons.

How are students' privacy and permissions handled?

All photography aligns with the school's existing consent policies. Images can be curate accordingly.

How often would sessions take place?

This can be adapted to your needs – from monthly sessions to ongoing weekly presence.

How quickly are image delivered?

Curated galleries are delivered within a few days of each session, ready for immediate use.

How can the images be used?

Across all communication channels – website, social media, admissions, newsletters, and internal use.

I have other questions

That's great! Please reply to my original email with them, and we can get on a call to talk through them. You can also WhatsApp me now at +37120885377

 

Let's build a visual story that reflects your school, your students, and their families

 

A consistent, thoughtful approach to photography has the power to transform how your school is experienced – both internally and externally.