Life After University

Hi! And welcome to the first read of my blog! Woo-hoo! Isn't this exciting! As this is my first post, please bare with me as I have so much to say. First off... I have officially graduated from the University for the Creative Arts (Farnham). The ceremony took place back in June at the Royal Festival Hall in London's Southbank Centre. It was an awful wet day, but pushing the rain to one side, what a fantastic day for all Graduands, Tutors, family and friends. Below is the moment I received my 'diploma'... It was actually a piece of card congratulating me on completing my degree and my certificate arrived through the post this week.

Whilst the ceremony was taking place, my l project Men are from Mars was exhibiting for 3 days at the Old Truman Gallery, Brick Lane, as part of the FREERANGE exhibition where UCA and other universities all showcased their work. Excellent work displayed by all! The build itself was an unusual experience. The space UCA Farnham had been allocated with was HUGE, however the roof was rather thin... Working in a large space in the scorching summer heat with no air circulation was rather difficult, FREERANGE Exhibitors and myself were literally melting in the heat and patience was wearing thin, however we got by and put on a good show - Big shout out to 'Paul the Techie' who came down to help with the build on this day, without this lovely Irish man we would've struggled BIG TIME, and for the support of all UCA Farnham staff too, keeping us motivated and listening to us when we were under pressure. The private viewing for FREERANGE was such a good experience. As my first time exhibiting my work, there was a big buzz in the building and managed to recognise a few familar faces in the crowd such as Mark Foxwell (Creative Director of Genesis Imaging) and the support of old university friends and more importantly my other half.

After FREERANGE and Graduation, I packed up my student room and returned home to Norfolk - nothing really goes on much in this quiet county and there is such a different atmosphere here compared to Surrey and London - the village folk here are soooo laid back and theres no constant rush to get anywhere. I started applying for small jobs left, right and centre in the Photography industry, trying to get my foot in the door however I have kept getting replies saying that "I don't have enough experience" and when asking for some work experience and offering to do things for free, photographers, businesses and companies have turned round and said no. So I feel like I am going round in this never-ending loop and it's getting a little frustrating. Seeing your class-friends starting to get work and feeling so pleased for them but at the same time having my photographic-problem being rubbed in the face can be a real pigs ear. I haven't lost heart though! I am currently working as a Bar Supervisor for a country pub in one of the coastal villages and feel like I've settled in pretty quick, and it's nice to see how supportive some of the work team are with my photography too. I am working some pretty unsociable hours at the moment, however its money in the pot for my photography projects and am constantly thinking of ideas that I can undergo in my spare time before the summer dies and winter is upon us. I think it also helps that a fellow work colleague is also a photographer (good luck for your last year at uni mate, make the most of it!) so our specialist areas in photography and photo-talk is quite a popular topic when we are working together. The pub itself is a lovely, typical "Norfolk" style building and it can get rather busy. The pub has rooms for people who wish to come and stay and there is this bustle of the holiday-makers mixed with the locals when the pub is at it's peak time. I get to see a variety of different people walk in through the door and I so wish I could keep my camera behind the bar and take their portraits - I meet some right characters in the pub and the conversations within the bar area are never boring. Keeping positive and motivated with my work seems to be the most important thing at the moment. Whilst studying photography for three years, I didn't actually realise how difficult it is to get my foot in the door in my chosen industry. Infact, it's extremely difficult and hats off to those who have graduated and successfully got work! Faith isn't lost though, I've realised it's going to take some time and my 100% effort into getting my big break but for the time being. Determination is key! I also have a couple of tricks up my sleeve!