The Artist Behind the Lens and the Lessons: Mr Piggott’s Journey from Vogue to the classroom

When Graham Piggott, or Mr Piggott as he’s known in the classroom, reflects on his path to becoming Head of Creative Arts at KES, it’s clear his journey has been anything but ordinary. From photographing some of the world’s most famous faces to nurturing our young artists in Hampshire, his story shows how life’s unexpected turns can lead to the most rewarding destinations. 

A Tale of Two Ambitions  

Like many young people, Graham faced a dilemma about his future whilst at school. “When I was at school, I had two distinct career ideas: one was to be an army officer and the other was to go to art school and be a photographer,” he recalls. “They were two polar opposites, so I really struggled with that.”  

After a brief stint of military training convinced him that taking orders wasn’t quite his style, Graham chose the creative path. He studied at Exeter Art School, one of Britain’s oldest, where he specialised in a combination of graphics, fine art, and photography. It was here he was taught by Jem Southam, a celebrated British photographer who, as Graham shared “rather wonderfully, we recently started following each other on Instagram - a lovely full-circle moment that speaks to the lasting connections forged through creative work”.   

Into the Spotlight  

Following the traditional route for aspiring photographers, Graham began working as an assistant. His first role with Julian Calder, author of a renowned book on 35mm photography, introduced him to the glamorous world of  Alma Studios, in Kensington “I’d gone from art school to suddenly being in this super cool world where there were model agencies downstairs, and the photographers seemingly went everywhere by helicopter,” he remembers with fondness.  

But it was his next position that would prove truly extraordinary. When Lord Snowdon was seeking an assistant, Graham applied thinking, “If I don’t get the job... at least I met one of the great photographers.” Well, he did get the job, beginning what would become a remarkable seven-year collaboration.  

Working with Lord Snowdon meant access to assignments no other photographer in the world was receiving. “He had the longest contract for Vogue, bigger than Cecil Beaton,” Graham explains. “We were always working on huge jobs from the Royal Family to heads of state, to photographing every single fashion designer you can think of.”  

Meeting Heroes  

The work brought encounters with cultural icons that remain vivid today. One stands out particularly - photographing David Bowie. “I love Bowie’s music, and in my head, I thought David Bowie was such a larger-than-life idea,” Graham recalls. “He came up and said, ‘Hi, I’m David Bowie.’ And I answered saying, ‘Hi, I’m Graham.’ thinking inside I know who you are. It was magical.”  

These experiences taught Graham something crucial about preparation and genuine curiosity. “I always made the point that everything was such an opportunity. If we met a writer, I would make sure I’d read one of their books; if we photographed a composer, I’d make sure I’d listen to their music.” This approach to learning and engaging deeply with people and their work would later become central to his teaching philosophy.  

The photographer’s world also brought unexpected moments of connection. Graham fondly remembers sitting next to fashion designer Gianni Versace in Milan, “just chatting, having a bowl of pasta. I had to think, this is amazing. This is the young me talking to, at the time, one of the top fashion designers”. A similar experience happened when chatting to Yves Saint Laurent, and then getting a spontaneous tour of his private Paris art collection.   

After assisting Graham worked for a range of clients from The London Stock Exchange, Country Life magazine, the Goodwood Estate to Spanish Vogue.   

The Turn Towards Teaching  

Despite all the excitement and glamour, Graham began to recognise something was missing from his professional life. “The paradox as a photographer is that quite often, you’re always working on your own. And I thought, I really like working with a team of people.” With young children at home and working freelance, he started thinking about what truly motivated him.  

The influence of his own inspirational art teacher also played a part in his decision. In a touching moment that brought his two worlds together; this teacher eventually attended Graham’s wedding and sat next to Lord Snowdon — “which I thought was really lovely.” Said Graham and yes Snowdon did take some wedding pictures!   

Creating Space for Creativity  

Today, as Head of Creative Arts at KES, Graham brings his philosophy of curiosity and deep engagement to education. He’s passionate about creating environments where young people can explore and express themselves freely. “The art studios are a place, even the way they’re designed, they’re different. We are different,” he explains.  

He’s observed how pupils respond to creative subjects: when you ask them what they think when they see art on their timetable, “they say, ‘Yep, it’s a good day.’” This reaction reflects the unique atmosphere he and his colleagues have cultivated one where “no idea is off the table” and pupils can “think freely.”   

The creative arts departments are always buzzing with activity. “If you wander around the school at about five o’clock on any given day, the creative arts departments -  dance, music, art, and drama - we’re always running something.” From spring concerts featuring extraordinary musicians to rehearsals for exciting Musicals, a Shakespeare play to dance galas and quirky biological illustration clubs (“it always smells a bit funny the day after”), there’s constantly something happening.  

Beyond the Classroom  

Graham’s role extends far beyond traditional teaching. The Creative Arts departments have been pioneers in partnership work with local primary schools, running workshops and bringing professional practitioners to work alongside pupils. They’ve organised everything from paper straw bridge-building challenges to large-scale musical collaborations.  

He particularly values how these experiences help pupils discover different aspects of themselves and their teachers. “I like the fact that as individuals, we’re not necessarily tied to one thing. We can be lots of different things. And the pupils love seeing us in those different roles as well.”  

What Success Really Means  

When it comes to defining success, Graham takes a refreshingly broad view. “Success is multifaceted,” he suggests. It’s not just about exam results, though those matter enormously. “It could be success in the fact that you got the lead in the play, that you played the first violin and you look back and think, ‘Wow, I never thought I’d be able to do that.’”  

Success might mean being part of the team behind the scenes, making sure the lighting cues work perfectly, or crafting masks for The Lion King and whispering to your parents in the audience, “I made that one.”  

Fundamentally, Graham explains success as “the freedom to be yourself, to achieve whatever it is you want to do” - whether that leads pupils to medical school, art college, or film editing.  

The Thread That Connects  

Looking back on his journey from Lord Snowdon’s studio to the KES art rooms, Graham can see how his diverse experiences inform his teaching. “I still go to art galleries a lot. I still go to gigs a lot. I still go to dance a lot,” he says. “And I can say, look, this is a magnificent, exciting, vibrant world, which is there for you.” He still works on his professional practice as a Fine Art photographer.   

His story reminds us that the best teachers often bring rich life experiences to their work, creating authentic connections that inspire young people to pursue their own creative paths. At KES, where success truly is yours to define, Graham continues to show pupils that there are boundless possibilities ahead -  just as there were for a young art student who once dreamed of photographing the world.