Manchester as our classroom

A few months ago, i was approached by Helen Jeys, Head Mistress at Manchester High School for Girls, to photograph a campaign, reinforcing the School's links with Manchester, our fabulous iconic city.

The brief was simple:

• Iconic Manchester landmarks backdrop.

• Natural shots of the pupils

• Reaffirm the Suffragette connection with MHSG (Emmeline Pankhurst's daughters attended Manchester High School back in 1893!).

This was all during this special year, when the School celebrates its 150th Anniversary.

I was super excited by the brief, for a million reasons:

• I LOVE the bones of my home city of Manchester.

• I'm an old girl at MHSG, which i loved for 14 years as a pupil!

• And i'm now a parent there too.

• I absolutely love all things HISTORY!

• Plus i love any form of photography which helps to empower women. 🎊

However, this project required a lot of planning - of that, there was no doubt!

Firstly, we identified specific landmarks, associated with the School.

The two School Archivists went to work, locating specific areas, and doing a mini recce to check they were still standing and not too dilapidated!

These initial ideas included:

• Emmeline Pankhurst statue in St Peter’s Square

• Manchester Cathedral  where Benjamin Morgan Cowie, one of MHSG's Founders, was Dean of the Cathedral

  
  

• Gaskell House on Plymouth Grove – home of Margaret Emily Gaskell, who was a Founder of MHSG.

• Manchester Town Hall: Where the first meeting of the School Committee was held, in the Mayor’s Parlour. (But the Town Hall is under repair so not recognisable!)

• Alongside bees and umbrellas and famous buildings and backdrops.

I then recruited my Favourite Apprentice, my fabulous Mum, to help me check out the locations on a photoshoot recce and set out a plan of action.

How lucky am i to have such an awesome Mum?! ❤️

Anyway, we walked MILES and MILES...and found some fabulous spots.

Next up...Shoot number 1.

We had a mix of pupils from the Prep, right up to Year 12.

Packed Lunches and drinks. Check! ✅

And a fab minibus driver ...with a nack for dodging the Traffic Warden! 👍

We had the Prep girls jumping in the alleyway by Central Library:

And giggling alongside Nisha Grover's Love Bee by Manchester Cathedral

Chatting outside the Cathedral:

Not forgetting a quick rest by the Mancsy Mural of Manchester's Queen Bee herself, on Cathedral Street.

In front of an inspirational mural near Cathedral Yard:

Gaskell House, home of MHSG founder, Margaret Emily Gaskell:

Can you guess where we were here? Yes, Central Library!

And of course, the Midland Hotel backdrop where Mr Rolls first met Mr Royce!

This next image makes me smile EVERY time! The girls look so confident and happy - with the ever changing Manchester CityScape as the backdrop.

The awe inspiring Science & Industry Museum - synonymous with Manchester.

We then organised Shoot 2, with some Sixth Formers, to capture some of the locations which were missing.

The Emmeline Pankhurst statue in St Peter's Square:

The iconic window displays at Oxid House, Newton St:

And despite it being a sunny day...we couldn't resist a classic umbrella shot, as we all know how much we love the rain in Manchester!

Followed by the fabulously vibrant ChinaTown:

As well as the reflection of Manchester Central Convention complex, which all Mancunians recognise in a heartbeat!

These were just a few of the final images, alongside many other shots (some of which i'm unable to share, due to permissions).

But hey - you get the gist!

Then the next step...seeing these images in and around Manchester.

(Truth be told...one of the highlights of my job!)

And to finish off the project, we enlisted the help of Debbie @ The Framing Shop in Hale, to work her magic on an in-house Picture Wall within School, where the images will stay for many years!

She incorporated the colours of the School and of Suffragettes, to create bespoke frames in purple and green, to liven up the corridor in the main thoroughfare.

This was a labour of love for us both, as we had to work out sizing, composition and crop ratios...but it was SO worth it, as the Picture Wall looks absolutely fantastic.

And below...Debbie and I looking proud as the final picture is hung! Our work is done!

A fabulous project which i absolutely LOVED! Thank you MHSG for entrusting me with this wonderful campaign - it has been a dream and so much fun.

And thanks to the truly incredible crew who helped make it happen! You are all awesome.

Photographer: Katie Lucas Photography

Vision @ Helen Jeys, Head Mistress

The Protagonists @ the FABULOUS MHSG pupils

The Researchers @ Pam Roberts and Gwen Hobson, the School Archivists

The Recce Queen @ My wonderful Mum

The Behind The Scenes crew: Alice Richardson, Robert Crumpton, Michelle McCumesky and Peter England. Not forgetting Ellie Law (Work experience helper).

The Printers: Dan @ MouseHouse Print shop, Hale

The Framing team: Debbie Gresty @ The Framing Shop Hale and Liam Greenhalgh, Picture hanger Extraordinaire

Extra helpers: Jill Haves and Penny Scott

#KatieLucasPhotography #ManchesterHighSchoolForGirls #Manhighgirls #TheFramingShopHale