Passion is Contagious
There are any number of reasons why a person enrols in the Academy. They may have always wanted to pursue photography, or perhaps they are seeking something new to shake up their unfulfilling work life. Other people enrol because they are searching for the right path to express their creativity and some are already experienced photographers who want to brush up on their skills. There is no prerequisite to joining the Academy, only a passion for learning and a willingness to explore your creativity.
Matthew Baker has been interested in photography for a long time, but his decision to enrol was less of an unsatisfied urge, and more of a slow burning desire that has been building for some time. It all began with the contagious passion of someone close to him.
“Photography wasn’t on my radar until my mid-20s. I never considered myself particularly creative until my uncle spoke to me about photography, something he’d been passionate about for many years. One day we sat down and watched a Sky Arts series, and he explained to me some of the basic concepts of photography; the rule of thirds, the exposure triangle, things like that. Shortly after I went on holiday to Boston and approached my holiday snaps in a much more mindful way, really taking care of what I was capturing in the frame. When I came back and showed them to him, he was encouraging.”
It is impossible to know who is going to be the most influential person on your life path but if you are seeking something creative, some sort of outlet to channel your world view, meeting someone who is passionate about their own craft, is always inspiring.
A Creative Balance
Matthew is currently balancing freelance photography in London alongside his other work. Freelance can take some time to deliver enough of an income stream to fully support a person so many freelancers have alternative options. The same applies to embarking on studies. Life has demands and it is only a rare and privileged few who have the luxury of dropping everything to start again.
“Over the past few years, I have started to make my way and build a photography business, exploring different areas and trying to develop my skills while figuring out what I want to focus on. Prior to enrolling with the academy, I worked for, and I still do work for, a local authority where I support people with learning disabilities and autism. I hope to continue to work in this capacity alongside developing my freelance business.”
The flexibility of the Academy also allowed Matthew to achieve a diploma in Photography while continuing to work and gain more freelance experience.
“After a little bit of research, I came across the British Academy of Photography, and I saw that I could study remotely as well as fit it around work.”
It can take a lot of work, time and sacrifice to pursue a goal, but learning is also growth and with growth comes a new perspective on life. When Matthew’s uncle gifted him a point-and-shoot camera, it came naturally to Matthew to just snap away all around London. But as he began to learn new skills and nurture his craft through his studies, he also began to refine and hone his approach.
“As I’d been out of education for a period of time, I think the most challenging thing was learning how to learn again. I find it easy learning without structure when things organically pique my interest but when offered the same subject in a structured way, and having to learn aspects I may not naturally be drawn to, it can be a little bit overwhelming. I embraced the challenge and enjoyed learning within a framework by the end.”
And these are the very skills that separate the amateurs from the professionals. Today there are billions of photographs taken every second, yet there is still a need for professional photographers. Anyone can take a great photograph by accident, but only a true pro can generate a great image. Photography is a highly respected art form that has been central to numerous revolutionary eras throughout history. To truly understand something, it is vital to know where it came from and how it has evolved.
“Some of the in-depth knowledge I gained around the history of photography was really enjoyable and something I would like to delve into a bit further in the future.”
New Skills / New Eyes
And photography is such a collaborative experience that meeting a community of like-minded creatives will open doors to new worlds and new opportunities in the most unexpected ways.
“I was also happily surprised by some of the networking opportunities I was able to engage with through the job’s forum. There were a number of opportunities I was able to reach out to and gained a couple of contacts and some positive experiences.”
Since Matthew absorbed his uncle’s enthusiasm for photography, it’s as though a portal has been opened, and inspiration has come flooding in. The streets of London were his initial introduction to photography, but education and indeed other people, have continued to show him even more ways to see.
“I have naturally fallen into sports photography, live event and music photography, some theatre work, and head shots/portraits which I’m really enjoying. I’m hoping to develop my portrait skills a bit more and get a few more opportunities in this space, but I’m also trying to just keep my options open to some new opportunities that might arise as well. I shoot a lot of street photography when I can too.”
Matthew is now on a steady road of discovery. As he continues to balance work and freelance photography, his eye is on a future where his photography work overshadows his current work, and he can explore for a studio or agency at some point. The beauty of it is that when you fall in love with a craft, you simply follow your instinct, and anything can truly happen.
Are you ready to explore your own Creative Future?
Whether you’re looking to change careers, develop your creative skills, or turn a passion for design into something more, the Academy’s Photography courses are designed to help you build practical, industry-ready skills from home with personalised tutor feedback and flexible online learning.
Explore now and discover where your creativity could take you.
