LO3: Task 4: Understanding my own potential career/ study routes.

Career Interests: 
I have always been interested in the photography industry and events industry. I would love to be doing photo shoots at events so I would love to be an events photographer, however I would also like to have my own freelance photography business. Another good thing about this is I get to work online and in person with the client to put my communication skills to work. 

Past exams: 
 
GCSE Exams:
- English: B
- Maths: B
- Science: C
- Additional Science: C
- Religious studies: C

GSCE Equivelents:
- Media studies: Distinction*
- Business Studies: Distinction*
- ICT: Distinction
- Dance: Merit
- 3D Design: Pass

A Level predicted grades:
- Graphics: C
- Art: B
- Extended project: B
- CDM Cambridge technicals L3: Distinction/Merit

Experience and interests:

Work Experience:
-  PDF (Print and Design Factory) 2012 - Finisher
- Soul Fire Saints 2014 - Music Video
- Propa Local 2014 - Promo Video


Qualifications needed for career of interest: 
Clearly I would need skills and know the basics of all the adobe programs, as well as how to work my way round a camera and all the different setting on the camera. This is as well as how to set up lighting in order for a certain shot. I would also need certain skills for a job in this industry, for example I will need to be enthusiastic and passionate about photography as being creative to make all ideas unique and it would also help to have a strong work ethic.
 

Necessary qualification for this area of work:
A2 Photography
A2 Art
A2 Media 
BTEC Level 3 media 
Level 3 Creative and Digital Media

This leads on to the university courses I could take which are:
http://www.arts.ac.uk/lcc/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-photography/
http://courses.bolton.ac.uk/Details/Index/1485
http://www.arts.ac.uk/lcc/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-photography/

Work experience/Apprenticeship opportunities:

Superdry  - Studio Assistant (Full time)
This is an apprentiship for studio assistant this would allow to me  to learn the basics on how to run a studio, plus its an apprenticeship which means you learn on the job so doesn't require much skill just previous experience.

Imago graphic  - Photography assistant (Full time, 24, 000 annum)
This is the chance  to work as a photography assistant at a decent wage, so that you can learn the skills of a photographer working alongside them day by day.


There is currently a job going for a diary coordinator in South Hampton for £15,000 a year although this is not highly paid it would allow me to get experience in the field of work and how to organize and run a successful photography business. This job will also provide training for a full year so no specific skills are needed. 
http://www.indeed.co.uk/cmp/Venture-Photography-Southampton/jobs/Diary-Coordinator-163ff6ec3a60b8a2?sjdu=QwrRXKrqZ3CNX5W-O9jEvTTsyGDdNFPGlliH4LTNOZI4mb087tAydc7DAZNaBHg9eWvM63C6OpCDBRK8InQ7K5X0XDK3EEA76aN2TFpiHFU0Nm_SJd9fWSAsMFSKnXIb

Photo studio Internship:

This internship is for students only and is based in london. Within this internship you will gather experience in gathering samples and collecting samples for photoshoots. The placement will also be for the time frame of 6  months which is a good amount of time to get used to working in a business. 
http://www.fashionunited.co.uk/fashion-job/internships/12924-photo-studio-internship-%E2%80%93-students-only-%E2%80%93-july-2015?utm_source=Indeed&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Indeed
  

Funding for higher education:
If I chose to go to university, I would have to look at the finance side. To do this I would have to apply for both the student and maintence loan for these I would get the following: 

• £9,000 Tuition Fee Loan
• £4,047 Maintenance Loan (for living costs)
• £3,387 Maintenance Grant (for living costs)

If I am sure on going to university then I would have to apply for my finance before the 31st may through the wesbite https://www.gov.uk/student-finance/overview as then I would receive the money before I start university.  

If I was to go into work, then the wages may vary. So this would mean I would have to work out the amount of disposable income I have, plus photography isn't really a dependable job as you can go from really busy to no work. So it would be a good idea to budget. However I cold also set up my own photography business which would mean I have to save up for the start up cost. or go to the bank and see if I could get a loan in order to see if I could get a loan to start up my own photography business.

Personal Plan:
My personal plan is once I have finished the extended media diploma next year, I will also have completed a full year in photography which will give me the experience I need to edit and collate images within a business. I will also next year be visiting a numerous amount of university open days to see if going to further education will benefit me more than getting work experience in the area I want to be working within in future, this may also mean looking into student finance and accommodation. In order to do this I will need to make sure that I get enough UCAS points for the course I want to apply for. In order to do well in the interviews I will need to make showreel and portfolio in order to be a good appealing candidate for a place at their university. However If i find out that university is not for me then I will look into working alongside as an assistant to some photographers in order to gain experience and improve my portfolio. Then once I have started to gain experience in the area I will start up a business in photography and start to gather regular clients.