Its Official…
Today, I attended Staffordshire University in Stoke to meet with photography lecturer, Paul O Leary with the possibility of me enrolling for September to do my final year of my degree, He looked through my portfolios and previous assignments and we discussed what my dreams and aims were for the future.
What dawned on me is how honest I was about the type of work that I am more passionate about. I love all photography and I like to think that I ‘dabble’ in most genres, including events and branding, but I realise how much of a kick I get out of portrait photography. And not just normal studio shoots, but fashion style shoots. The type of shoots which taken months of planning and which involve more than one person, from stylist, make-up artist and directors. I want to create exquisite editorial shoots like Annie Liebovitz, the type of images which make the viewer sit up and take notice. Annie’s work is bold, adventurous and engaging, with her work being published the world over. She has had her pieces featured in Rolling Stones, Vogue and she photographed Queen Elizabeth II in a series of images which would go on to be iconic. Annie has worked with various celebrities and her images have been exhibited and celebrated all over the world.
When I consider her work and the planning and organisation that has to go into then I want to be like her. I feel excited that I feel that I may have found a primary focus for my photography. Sure, I will always offer services, such as wedding and events photography. But I want to focus on creating editorial images, with the hope that I could work with a company or business. I would love to see my images in print. Would love to sit them inside a magazine, newspaper, or even better, on a billboard.
Following my meeting, I was advised by Paul that he was offering me a place onto Level 6 and that I would be starting in September. We discussed the possibility of me being able to get more help with lighting, maybe more workshops or dropping into other classes on other levels. I am confident with photography but studio lighting is an area that I want to master.