Welcome back to Doodle Caboodle, the series where we sit down with the people who shape everyday life at Nysmith. This episode features Mr. Gutierrez, Nysmith's school photographer, arrival team energy source, and, according to one student, the one and only Mister Fantastic.
Mr. Gutierrez estimates he takes around a quarter of a million photos a year, sorted down from several times that number. But ask him to describe his job, and he's quick to correct a common assumption.
"When people ask me outside of school to describe what I do, the first idea they have is the guy who goes seasonally to the school to take photos. And I say, no, I'm not that kind of photographer. I take photos every day."
He's just as visible outside the classroom as in it, known for bringing energy to carpool and arrival, often dancing to the music playing outside as families pull up in the morning.
"It's my happy place. Carpool is my first interaction with them, and I can be silly, I can be myself."
Mr. Gutierrez's approach to photography is intentional. Rather than posing students, he tries to blend in and disappear into the moment, letting kids act naturally instead of performing for the camera.
"When everything is happening, I disappear and they don't see me. That's not a bad thing, because what I want is to take the photo when they're naturally acting."
That philosophy carries into the family portraits Nysmith now offers as well, moments he sees as far more than a photo session.
"That family photo is not just a photo, it's the memory that's going to be there when the kids are in college, in high school, looking back and remembering the day they spent here."
Photography isn't Mr. Gutierrez's only connection to teaching. He comes from a family of educators, his mother was a kindergarten teacher and his aunt taught third grade, and he spent time teaching at the University of Havana before his career shifted toward photography. That background shows in how much he enjoys spending time in classrooms.
"I really enjoy language arts, because I get to learn something new too, right alongside the kids."
The nickname Mister Fantastic came from a student, and Mr. Gutierrez has leaned into it, including a full Mister Fantastic costume for school spirit days.
When asked what superpower he brings to Nysmith, his answer was simple: optimism and happiness.
"I take everything in a happy way, because I believe we can be better. Bringing happiness to other people makes me feel better too."
And in case you were wondering, when it comes to the age-old photography debate, Mr. Gutierrez is firmly on Team Canon.
More stories from the Nysmith community are coming in future episodes of Doodle Caboodle. But nothing tells the story quite like seeing it in person. We invite you to schedule a tour and experience the Nysmith difference for yourself.