Blog #1 - Summer before Final Year (Placement)

Placement year, to say the least was a whirlwind. I did just shy of a year working in a professional working industry as a Photographic studio assistant at Photography Works in Mirfield. This experience although a challenging one, was an amazing one. I worked alongside clients, built up my technical skills, advanced my studio knowledge and got to participate in photo shoots.

I believe from this placement year, working alongside minds such as Glen Pearson head of the company and David Dry the studio Manager and head digital retoucher, taught me lessons about the industry. I learned from some seasoned professionals in the business and got to see first hand what it takes to own and run a studio.

My main jobs included: Helping with photo shoots, assisting with retouching, emailing and interacting with clients, helping in the office with any marketing that needed doing, keeping the prop room organised and general upkeep of the studio. This began to get a little tedious after a couple months of mainly upkeep and basically being nothing more that a set builder and decorator. But this also showed me just what goes into the business. How much you don't see or even really thin of when it comes to a professional photo shoot.

You have to think of the before prep of the studio space to the criteria of the client, the little touches in set and prop design, making sure any and all clothes for the model and prepped and steamed to the surrounding areas being clean and presentable. It all seemed like a lot to do but as the days went on it because more muscle memory and I picked it up with ease. Towards the end of placement I even got the chance to train my replacement as well as other secondary school work placement students that came through the studio.

It was interesting not only learning myself but after being there a few months getting the opportunity to teach others. I may have only been learning myself but getting the chance to pas down even a little but of wisdom felt great.

Getting back into university after this year out will be another welcomed challenge. From being in a business mindset back to one of education is something I look forward to but am also dreading in the fact it will be my final year and then back out into the world. Here's to my final year at university and a chance to broaden my horizons further when I graduate.