Photography for Victorian Orthopaedic Associates
When Tracey Jackson, Practice Manager at Victorian Orthopaedic Associates, reached out through my website, she needed comprehensive photography that would represent their team of four orthopaedic surgeons professionally while capturing the essence of their practice. This project highlights how the right approach to medical photography can transform a practice's visual identity while navigating the unique challenges of a busy surgical schedule.
Dr. Theepan in theatre – the 'poster boy' shot that perfectly balances professionalism with personality. Capturing surgeons in their element creates more engaging content.
The Brief: Versatile Imagery for Multiple Uses
The VOA team required a diverse set of images to refresh their website and marketing materials:
Professional headshots of each surgeon against a plain background
Informal outdoor portraits for a more approachable feel
Location-specific photos featuring their branding
Authentic consulting room imagery
A unified group photo of all four surgeons together
Theatre photos showing the surgeons in their working environment
This variety would give them flexibility across different platforms while maintaining a consistent professional image.
The Challenge: Surgeons' Schedules and Hospital Settings
Anyone who has worked with medical specialists knows the scheduling challenges involved. As Tracey put it during our initial phone consultation, "Getting all four surgeons in one place at the same time is like herding cats!"
We faced several logistical hurdles:
Surgeons being called away for unexpected patient consultations
One surgeon delayed in theatre who arrived tired and hungry
Navigating hospital regulations and patient privacy
Working efficiently to respect everyone's limited time
Minimizing disruption to patients in waiting areas
These challenges are typical in medical settings and require both technical skill and interpersonal adaptability to overcome.
Creating a welcoming first impression makes patients feel comfortable and safe
The Approach: Efficiency, Respect and Flexibility
Hospital environments demand a specific approach to photography.
For VOA, we implemented several strategies:
Thorough preparation: Requesting examples of their existing imagery and website allowed me to understand their visual needs before arrival.
Detailed logistics planning: Tracey provided a hospital map since, as she noted, "hospitals are notorious for confusing signage" - this small but crucial detail ensured I arrived on time and oriented.
Rapid shooting technique: Working quickly with minimal equipment disruption is essential in medical settings. Each surgeon's session was completed efficiently, allowing them to return to patients promptly.
Adaptable scheduling: When one surgeon was delayed in theatre, we used the waiting time productively by capturing reception areas and spontaneous staff interactions - images that ended up being unexpected highlights for the client.
Patient-first mindset: Maintaining quiet, respectful behavior in patient areas and ensuring no patients were inadvertently included in backgrounds.
The theatre photography required particular sensitivity to hospital protocols while still capturing compelling images of the surgeons in their primary working environment.
Client Feedback: The True Measure of Success
The ultimate measure of any photography project is client satisfaction. Tracey's feedback highlights what made the project successful beyond just technical execution:
"You made the process very easy, were so great with keeping everyone calm and just a lovely person to have around. We look forward to working with you again when we move into their new space."
This response emphasizes an often-overlooked aspect of medical photography: the photographer's demeanor matters as much as their technical skill. Keeping subjects relaxed and comfortable translates directly into more natural, engaging images.
Lessons for Medical Practice Photography
This project reinforced several key principles for successful healthcare photography:
Understanding the unique environment: Medical settings have distinct requirements and sensitivities that must be respected.
Adaptability is essential: When working with medical professionals, schedules will change, and flexibility becomes your most valuable skill.
Efficiency with quality: Working quickly doesn't mean compromising on results - having streamlined workflows allows you to maximize limited time.
Respect for everyone involved: From the busy surgeons to reception staff to patients in waiting areas, maintaining professional courtesy throughout.
Finding unexpected opportunities: Sometimes the unplanned moments - like capturing reception staff interactions while waiting - yield the most authentic results.
The Victorian Orthopaedic Associates project exemplifies how thoughtful planning, technical expertise, and interpersonal skills combine to create effective healthcare photography even within the constraints of a busy surgical practice.
Need photography for your medical practice that respects your busy schedule while showcasing your team's professionalism? Contact MMP Studio on photo@michellemcfarlane.com to discuss how we can create a visual identity that truly represents your practice.
