The Parents' Association (APE) of Saint-Sever-Calvados Schools in Noues de Sienne, France, has launched an innovative fundraising initiative by offering professional photo sessions open to the general public. The unique program invites community members to "capture the moment and create memories solo, with family, or among friends" while supporting local educational projects.
The creative fundraising idea was conceived by Maud Picque and Aurore Forest, co-presidents of the Parents' Association. "We always try to make new proposals," they explained. "The idea came simply from hearing about this elsewhere in France, and it inspired us. Plus, we found it was a good continuation of the school photo session that will be carried out a few days before." The co-presidents expressed gratitude to the municipality for making the school facilities available outside of school hours.
Professional photographer Virginie Favrel from Studio Yves in Vire Normandie will conduct the portrait sessions. A complete photo studio will be set up in the motor skills room of Simone Veil School in Saint-Sever-Calvados. The temporary studio setup will provide participants with a professional photography experience typically found in commercial studios.
Interested community members can schedule appointments starting immediately and visit the school on the designated day at their assigned time. The organizers emphasize that this represents "a beautiful opportunity for everyone to have a professional photo session." The initiative aims to make professional photography accessible to families and individuals who might not otherwise have such opportunities.
The pricing structure has been designed to accommodate various budgets, with rates ranging from 5 euros for a standard 10x15cm print to several hundred euros for very large format portraits. This tiered pricing system ensures the photo sessions remain accessible to the widest possible audience while still generating meaningful revenue for school programs.
A portion of the profits will be donated to the Parents' Association, which will enable them to "support the 2025-2026 school projects," as Maud and Aurore concluded. The funds raised will directly benefit students through enhanced educational activities and resources throughout the upcoming academic year.
The photo session is scheduled for Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 9 AM to 6 PM at Simone Veil School, located in Saint-Sever-Calvados 14380 Noues-de-Sienne. Community members interested in participating can contact Aurore at 06.81.69.21.25 to make appointments and secure their preferred time slots for this unique fundraising event.
