In our final 'A Conversation With... ' for this half term, we had a virtual chat with Head of Photography, Miss Chloe Mordue, about what inspired her to get into photography and the buzz she gets from teaching girls' sport. When she gets out of lockdown she is looking forward to giving her parents a huge hug and getting back on the netball court.
How long have you been at Shiplake and what roles have you performed previously and now?
Believe it or not, at the end of this academic year I have been teaching for eight years and been at Shiplake for four years (time flies!). When I joined Shiplake, Photography A Level had just begun the previous year and it was exciting and also nerve wracking to help build it up and get the first year through.
It was lovely working so closely with the Art Department at the time, but Photography grew too big for its boots and it became its own independent A Level subject. Since 2017 I have been Head of Photography and I have also taken on the responsibilities of Head of Netball and Head of Girls' Sport.
What inspired you to get into photography?
It was actually my parents telling me to do what I enjoy and what I was good at. I had a stigma in my mind when choosing my A Levels that I shouldn't chose a subject that I considered 'non-academic' but my parents convinced me otherwise. I ended up loving Photography as an A Level and even surprised myself when I took the leap and chose it as a degree. This was further inspired when I became a Photo Editor for a fashion magazine and events company. It was the best decision I have made and it taught me not to judge a 'non-academic' subject!
What is your favourite style of photography and who is your favourite photographer and why?
My favourite style of photography changes all the time; the students are constantly making me view images in a different way or with a different perspective. I do love staged/surreal photography like Tim Walker. I love photographs that make you question what is going on and take you on a journey.
What do you enjoy most about being Head of Girls' Sport?
Sport was my life when I was at school and people would joke when they saw me in school uniform that I wasn't in my sports kit! I love coaching team sport for the girls, seeing them progress individually or get involved in a sport they hadn't previously tried before. I get a real buzz with them right before a match and it is lovely to see the girls outside of the classroom.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I am either on the netball court, walking my dog Yuki, a nearly two year old Shiba Inu (a Japanese breed), hugging my cat or editing other people's photographs!
What is the first thing you are going to do when lockdown is over?
See my parents and give them a huge hug and as soon as possible, get on a netball court!
What does the future hold for Miss Mordue?
No idea! For someone who loves to have a plan, I am just taking each day as it comes at the moment (partly also due to lockdown!). My friends and family joke all the time that I need to own either a stationery shop, a cattery or run a cafe! If lockdown has taught me one thing, it is to live each day as it comes and not look too far ahead.
