I found my love for photography in secondary school. I’ve never been a very academic person – instead, I’ve always had a passion for being creative. When I started studying photography, I soon learned that is exactly what I wanted to spend my life doing and discovered my passion for photographing people and fashion.
I started studying at AUB in 2022 after a foundation year at Exeter School of Art, where I spent my time specialising in fashion photography and letting my creativity flourish. I spent my first year at AUB developing my technical skills and experimenting with the vast range of equipment I had access to. I was able to collaborate with a range of students, from stylists to make-up artists and models for both their projects and my own. This really helped me push my ideas into reality with a creative team at my side.
For my Final Major Project, I created two fashion editorials with the help of a big creative team. In one project, I was able to do a large set-build at the campus studios, where I created seven different sets with furniture from the AUB prop store, representing different decades. I used this to support my fashion styling based on the evolution of denim to encourage people to reuse and recycle denim, because it is a timeless fabric that always stays relevant.
For my second project, I created a modernised version of Studio 54, where I reimagined the iconic disco era through a contemporary lens. Blending its bold glamour and vibrant energy with current fashion trends, lighting techniques and styling, I wanted to create a fresh yet nostalgic visual experience. Throughout every project, I have taken inspiration from a range of different photographers from different specialisms to inspire my own work. This allowed me to work on new lighting techniques, poses, compositions and location choices to add an interesting narrative to every project.
With so much help from the photography lecturers and amazing techs across different courses at AUB, I have gained access to so many amazing opportunities throughout my BA (Hons) Commercial Photography degree, from hands-on experience with industry-standard equipment to collaborative projects that pushed my creative boundaries. I’ve also had access to paid photography work and amazing assisting opportunities, all of which have helped me build confidence, gain real-world experience and begin shaping a professional network within the industry. These experiences have not only enabled me to invest in a new camera to support my transition into the professional world but have also allowed me to start building valuable connections within the industry. It’s laid the foundation for exciting future collaborations, freelance projects and ongoing development in my journey as a creative professional.
My journey through uni has come with many ups, as well as downs, but looking back, not only has my work and ability developed – my personal growth and self-confidence has also grown tremendously. From overcoming academic challenges to stepping out of my comfort zone socially and professionally, each experience has contributed to the person I am today, preparing me for the next chapter with a stronger sense of purpose and determination.
My next ambition is to continue in the fashion/photography industry where I can apply my skills in both creative photography and strategic marketing to contribute to dynamic, visually driven campaigns that tell compelling stories and connect with audiences. Overall, these past three years have been an incredibly rewarding chapter of my life – filled with lasting friendships, a deep dive into a new industry, growing confidence in my creative skills and a true sense of fulfilment with each project I’ve brought to life.
