My Professional Practice Document can be accessed above, but in case there are any technical problems, I have also copied and pasted the document below.
BA Applied media professional practice module
professional development document
Skills audit
Media Skills
| Skilled | Proficient | Some experience |
Photoshop
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| X |
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Premiere
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| X |
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After Effects
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|
| X |
InDesign
|
| X |
|
DSLR cameras
| X |
|
|
Film cameras
| X |
|
|
Black and white film developing and printing |
| X |
|
Studio lighting
|
|
| X |
Infrared photography
|
| X |
|
Cyanotypes
| X |
|
|
Transferable skills
|
|
|
|
Driving – clean, full license
| X |
|
|
Word
| X |
|
|
PowerPoint
| X |
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Prezi
| X |
|
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Research
|
| X |
|
I completed the full Skills Health Check from the National Careers Service.
Skill Areas (strongest to weakest)
Planning and Focusing on Detail - Plans own tasks and uses time effectively to produce high quality work.
Creative Thinking - Comes up with new ideas and different ways of approaching issues.
Solving Problems - Spots problems and gathers information, making judgements based on facts.
Convincing and Communicating - Convinces others and deals well with conflict. Expresses self clearly when speaking and writing.
Working with Others - Works well with people by listening, understanding and helping others.
Showing Energy and Drive - Shows energy and enthusiasm for meeting difficult goals and taking on new tasks.
Learning and Technology - Easily learns new information and quickly learns how to use new technologies.
Handling Change and Pressure - Adapts to changes, remains calm and reacts positively to challenges.
Taking Responsibility - Takes responsibility for own actions and for leading others.
Planning and Focusing on Detail is a skill area that you feel you are most able to do. This is about being able to plan and manage your own time, use your time effectively, focus on detail and produce high quality work.
Handling Change and Pressure is a skill area that you feel you can do less well. This is about being able to adapt to changes, remain calm under pressure and react positively to challenges.
Taking Responsibility is a skill area that you feel you can do less well. This is about being able to take responsibility for your own actions, take control of situations and lead others.
Interest
• Moderately interested in: Caring - Using social skills to teach, support, care for and help others. Alternative Therapies, Education and Training, Medicine and Nursing, Social Services.
• Moderately interested in: Creative – Using art skills, having new ideas and producing imaginative and original work. Arts, Crafts and Design, Performing Arts, Broadcast and Media.
• A little interested in: Influencing – Working with people and helping change their views and choices. Marketing, Selling and Advertising, Retail Sales and Customer Service.
Personal Style
You are more likely to do the things that come most naturally. Make the most of this and focus on using these qualities when you are looking for a job.
Your tendency to try to understand other people's behaviour may help you relate well to others in interviews.
You are likely to enjoy keeping busy. This is likely to help you be energetic and maintain motivation when looking for work.
You are likely to enjoy spending time with other people. This may help you to come across as friendly and sociable in assessment situations.
You may keep emotions under control to some extent. This may help you bounce back when things don't go your way, for example when a job application has been turned down.
Some of these things may not come so naturally to you. However, you can work around these and make sure that they do not hold you back when you are looking for a job. Some ideas for how to do this are shown below.
You are less likely to enjoy looking at facts and figures. You may need to challenge yourself to look at data, as such information can be helpful when researching jobs.
You may not enjoy persuading others. This means you may have to make an effort to convince potential employers that you have the skills needed to do the job.
You are likely to feel tense and worried when under pressure. Being aware of this and doing things to help you relax can make it easier for you to appear more confident in interviews or selection events.
You are likely to be more reserved in groups. This may mean you need to practice being more open in assessment situations.
Motivations
Most motivating:
Creative Environment - This type of environment is creative and open to new ways of doing things. People who value this type of environment are likely to enjoy roles which are free of much of the conventions to do with work, e.g. how you look, how you behave etc.
People-Focused Environment - This is a social and caring environment, where people get on well together. They cooperate and help each other. It is found in caring professions, charities and public services. It can also be present in some companies, for example in customer service departments.
Ordered Environment - This type of environment is structured, predictable and with very clear requirements. It can be found in areas like administration and book-keeping where the emphasis is on order and high standards.
Least motivating:
Money-Focused Environment - This is an environment where the focus is on making money. Money is also given as a reward for doing well. It is typically found in commercial businesses rather than public sector or charity work.
Lively Environment - This type of environment is competitive and lively, with an element of risk-taking. People are valued for their ability to press for results and to achieve. It can often be found in sales roles.
Working with numbers
Number of correct answers – 10/10. Working with numbers is an area of particular strength for you.
Working with written information
Number of correct answers – 19/20. Working with written information is an area of particular strength for you.
Checking information
Number of correct answers – 39/??. You spotted mistakes most accurately when they happened to information that changed format. This means that you may be more comfortable with checking this kind of information. One thing to know is that you missed a few more mistakes when they happened in simple numbers. This might just be by chance but it’s worth thinking about whether you felt these were too obvious to spend time checking.
Solving mechanical problems
Number of questions correct – 10/11. You had a very high level of accuracy. You did best with questions related to applying physical principles and the movement of objects. This means that you may get on well with tasks involving these kinds of activities.
Working with shapes
Number of questions correct – 14/14. You had a very high level of accuracy.
Solving abstract problems
Number of questions correct – 14/16. You had a very high level of accuracy.
Job suggestions – the best match for your skills.
Transport
Maintenance, Service and Repair
Storage, Dispatching and Delivery
Animal, Plants and Land
Environmental Sciences
The Skills Health Check indicated that I would be suited to several areas in which I have no interest. I find tests like these challenging because, although I may be proficient in working with numbers and mechanical problems, it doesn't mean I want a career in those fields. Often, job suggestions that genuinely interest me are ranked lower, not due to a lack of aptitude, but because I excel in areas that don't appeal to me.
Skills summary
Key Skills at the start of the course.
Analogue and digital photography proficiency, design skills, general IT proficiency, creative thinking, written communication, and working with numbers.
Skills to be developed over the course.
Specialised photographic and media proficiency (infrared and Photoshop), enterprise and entrepreneurship, self-confidence, and time management.
CPD personal development plan
Name
Liz Jenkin
Time Period
Sept 2023 - June 2024
By the end of this course, I want to be in a position to start my own business. Currently, I am considering whether to lean more towards working as an artist and selling my photos or working as a disability training developer. It may be that I look at both areas, so I will need to bear this in mind throughout my course.
The skills I would like to develop in relation to this include infrared photography, Photoshop proficiency, and research. I would also like to have a greater understanding of the business world and the basics of how to start and operate a business.
From a personal perspective, I want to improve my time management, resilience, and self-confidence. I also want to build my courage to reach out to and interact with other individuals and organisations.
What do I want/need to learn and why? | What will I do to achieve this? | What resources or support will I need? | What will success look like? | Target dates for review and completion: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Proficiency in infrared photography to create higher-quality work. | Use infrared as my primary medium for my specialist project. | Online tutorials and books to learn more and practice to gain skills. | A successful specialist project with infrared at its centre. | June ’24 – my specialist project will be complete by this time. |
Understanding business basics to help me set up my own in future. | Attend workshops and a careers interview. | Online info and speak to others with expertise. | A secure business plan and ready to take the first practical steps. | June ’24 initial review, and June ’25 completion. |
Self-confidence to engage with others to improve networking prospects. | Identify at least one person and organisation and reach out to them. | People to read over emails before I send them to ensure I am writing professionally. | Successful correspondence with at least one person or organisation. | June ’24. |
Working for a client
In my Creative Production in a Local Context module, I worked on a project for One Blue Eye, a small-scale plastic recycling company based in Helston. Negotiating the brief was straightforward in some respects, as Matt, the company’s founder, was open to any ideas I proposed. However, the significant creative freedom also meant there was little direction, making it challenging to gauge if I was meeting the client’s expectations.
Finding where my skills aligned with the company’s needs was initially difficult, but I eventually decided on a cyanotype-based zine with guides on recycling plastic at home for the local community. Once my pitch was approved, I enjoyed learning more about the client’s business and merging my creative practice with One Blue Eye’s ethos, resulting in some interesting plastic-based cyanotypes.
I encountered two main difficulties during this project. The first was slow communication with the client, as Matt’s responses to my queries were delayed and often lacked detail. Additionally, as an autistic individual, I struggle with communication, often worrying about saying the wrong thing or being misunderstood. My tendency to avoid conflict and my lack of assertiveness further compound this issue. Communication is a skill I have worked on throughout my life and I will likely continue to find it challenging.
The second difficulty was managing my workload amid personal life demands. Family emergencies are unavoidable, and mitigating their impact on work is challenging. I missed my initial deadline for this project, but fortunately, Matt was very supportive. However, not all clients would be as understanding, underscoring the importance of good communication, organisation, and keeping records of the work produced so far.
Overall, working for a client was challenging and highlighted many of my weaknesses, which are often related to my disabilities. While I can identify these weaknesses and work to improve them, commission-based work is currently not well-suited to me. My concerns about meeting client expectations and fully understanding the brief often cause me to freeze rather than seek feedback. Perhaps as my confidence and assertiveness grow, I may find commission-based work more manageable. For now, I feel more comfortable creating artwork I enjoy and offering it for sale to those who appreciate it.
Careers Research
Industry talks/interviews
Tigger Pritchard
I contacted Tigger to introduce myself and to ask him some questions about working in neurodiversity advocacy and training, and about self-employment in general.
Do you have any advice for making those first steps into the world of ND advocacy and training?
Build a social media presence – find a platform your intended audience uses and that you’re comfortable with. Engage with people and share good, reliable information.
Are there any specific areas of neurodiversity training that are in desperate need of more attention? (For example, I would love to use my skills to help autistic people gain and maintain employment.)
Within employment, work needs to be done to challenge employers’ mindsets. Within education, a lot needs to be done to challenge the unconscious bias in both staff and autistic students’ peers. In the context of the wider public, we need to change the narrative of neurodiversity in the media.
Do you have any tips for promoting myself as an ND advocate/trainer/consultant and for turning this into my job?
Create a strong social media presence, then shape it to the direction you want to go in.
What does a typical day look like for you, in the context of work?
My days are very varied. I do a lot of phone and video calls, some design, and lots of social media engagement. I’m at my best when I’m speaking to people and presenting things in person.
What do you find the most challenging aspect of your work, and how do you overcome that?
People with good intentions but poor information, especially people who should know better, like doctors, SENCOs, etc. In education especially, the idea of “well they’ve got to fit in” is forced. I also find the conflict within the autism community challenging.
How do you personally manage the division within the autistic community as a whole? (For example, the IFL/PFL debate, the ABA debate, etc. By this, I don’t mean “Where do you stand on these topics?” but rather “How do you approach sensitive topics like these without alienating people with varying opinions?” I hope that makes sense.)
Remember that we’re all on a journey and all learning – respect where they are and be gentle. Listen to the community as a whole and make sure the information you are sharing is correct and respectful. The National Autistic Society is hated by some because of their views in the past, but they have been making changes. They still don’t have autistic people in leadership roles, but I manage the NAS Cornwall Facebook page and post things on there that can gradually help to educate people and change the narrative. Some autistic advocates hate each other but I might be friends with both. There is a lot of anger and venom because many people are convinced that they are right and won’t listen to any other perspectives. Some are quite militant, but I will still be friends with them. I put in place clear boundaries and will not engage in certain subjects with certain people.
What is your favourite thing about being autistic?
My favourite thing is that I have been able to start taking control of my life and learning about myself. I’m happiest when meeting my neurokin, my neurodivergent family.
Ruth Eales
I have known Ruth for many years and have always admired her work as an artist, particularly her Wildlife and Intangible Entities series. Her primary medium is watercolour, although she uses different approaches to suit the subject matter. Like my infrared photography, Eales’ work often aims to depict that which is not tangible. I sought Ruth’s input on working as a self-employed artist as her focus is on creating meaningful artwork rather than seeking a high income. Finance is an important factor to consider for self-employment, but it is also important not to lose sight of the artistic passion that brought this venture to life to begin with.
Ruth won the SAA's ‘Young Artist of the Year’ and ‘Best Young Animal or Wildlife’ awards in 2017. Her pieces ‘Sniffer John’ and ‘Rise’ were showcased at various events, including the prestigious ICHF event at Birmingham NEC. A selection of Ruth’s work was sold at the London gallery 'Artful Pelican,' with 40-100% of the profits donated to the charity ‘Street Souls,’ which supports homeless and vulnerable people with food, toiletries, and advice.
What do you enjoy most about your role as an artist?
I enjoy the freedom to experiment with new materials and play with my work. I love the tactile aspect of working with different materials. It's hard to explain. I love collaborating with musicians and being able to bounce ideas around, drawing inspiration from their passion and enthusiasm. I love listening to music and exploring how to portray it in an image. For me, giving a feeling a form is cathartic. As someone who is highly sensitive and feels deeply, it allows me to express those emotions.
What aspect of your work do you find the most challenging, and how do you overcome it?
Time management is my biggest challenge, as well as my health. I haven't overcome this yet, but I use a monthly planner whiteboard with different sections for various commitments to stay organised.
Do you have any advice for someone looking to take their first steps into being a self-employed artist?
If you want to be an artist, create the work you want to create. You can earn more money doing something else you don't enjoy, but only painting what you think will sell defeats the point. Your best work will always be what you're inspired to do.
Heather Galvin
Heather has run her own side business creating and selling personalised home and children’s décor since 2020. While the products I create would be different, I may start by selling my artwork on Etsy to build up my brand recognition and online presence. Heather’s insight into the world of selling on Etsy will be extremely valuable.
How do you balance your side business with your more traditional job?
With difficulty, and I'm only part-time at my main job. Having small children, the only time I could do my Mosie work was the evenings, if I attempted to do it while they were around I'd get a lot of 'help' offers. I really enjoy doing it so working well into the evening didn't really feel like work, it just became the norm. I found that because I was working from home with Mosie, storage was an issue. I was working from the kitchen table, so I had to pack everything away each night and get it all out again the next day. I think that was the most time-consuming.
What has been the most rewarding thing about starting Mosie Crafts?
The most rewarding part has been watching it grow year after year, knowing that it was all me and how it started from making bits for my own children.
Did you encounter any unexpected problems in running your business, and if so, how did you overcome them?
Unexpected problems would probably be customers. I have always worked in customer-based jobs so I fully understand how difficult people can be but I have had some strange requests. The amount of people that don't read item descriptions or turnaround times, expecting handmade items to be dispatched the day after ordering. I think Amazon has a lot to answer for with narrating people's expectations.
How has your business grown and developed over the last few years?
My orders through Etsy have increased by 50% each year since I opened in 2020. However, this year seems to be very different. I put my Etsy shop on holiday mode late last year for a couple of weeks and since then it hasn't seemed to pick back up. The algorithms have all changed and I haven't had time to really delve into how to improve things.
Is there anything you wish you’d known before launching Mosie Crafts?
I wish I'd known how much money I would spend buying blanks that I thought would be best sellers and weren't. Also, how I wish I'd known how important social media would be and the constant upkeep of it just to be seen. Something I am not very good at; I go through fits and spurts but you need to be constant.
What advice would you give to someone starting their business by selling on Etsy?
I would advise anyone starting out to research Etsy and read the selling guide handbook. Incorporate the fees into your costs, otherwise you end up working for nothing. Etsy really is the buyer's friend, not the seller's. Join some Facebook groups for Etsy sellers to get advice.
Career interview
My skills
We used 'What’s Your Strength' cards together and I identified likely personal strengths of patience, diplomacy, compassion, fairness, empathy, the desire to make a difference and being detail-oriented, which are great qualities for the areas of work which interest me.
Qualifications
BA Hons Applied Media (In progress)
FdA Film, Media and Photography (Distinction)
A-Levels:
Sociology (B)
Psychology (B)
General Studies (C)
English Literature (D)
GCSEs:
Science, Double Award (AA)
Maths (B)
English Language (B)
Humanities (C)
Music (C)
Art (C)
Textiles (C)
Spanish (C)
French (D)
English Literature (D)
Autism Awareness (Level 2)
My goals
I have two areas of career interest which I would like to focus on, ideally with the addition of a part-time job that gives me the security of a regular income.
I have a strong interest in providing training support to others around supporting people with ADHD and autism and have enjoyed using my design skills to create engaging presentations which I have made available to the Learning Support and Transitions Team.
I enjoy participating in online communities which discuss neurodivergent experiences and positive neurodiversity acceptance, both from a professional perspective and from lived experience. I have a good contact in Tigger Pritchard, who is a Neuroaffirming Advocate, Consultant and Trainer.
My other passionate interest is in infrared photography, and I have a beautiful website of work which I am interested in selling. Some of your most prominent pictures are of National Trust properties, which I have unfortunately discovered I am unable to sell as they have been taken on National Trust land without a commercial licence. I have explored this issue thoroughly with the National Trust, through the correct channels, and they do not issue commercial licences for my required purposes.
I am not attracted to commission work or portraits as I prefer the freedom to work with my own creative ideas and settings. Small group outdoor photography workshops could provide a good opportunity to combine my creative skills and background in education.
Action points
I will contact Tigger to offer assistance with producing materials for the Autistic Community of Cornwall CIC. He has a large resources section on his website.
In terms of heritage and scenic sites around Cornwall which may allow me to sell photos taken on their premises or work with me in using your images, we identified Bodmin Jail and Trebah Gardens as organisations to explore, as my infrared photography works fantastically in the atmosphere of the jail and Trebah Gardens are historic and atmospheric.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Tregothnan and The Duchy of Cornwall could also be worth getting in touch with.
I have enjoyed working as a Learning Support Assistant but would like the financial security of a higher wage. We discussed that agency learning support for HE-level students can sometimes be an insecure wage in terms of student attendance.
As well as our FE provision here at college, Falmouth and Exeter University also employ staff in varying student support roles such as in the Student Accessibility and Inclusive Learning team. It may be worth exploring their offerings a little further to see if any of their services interest me as a possible future job role.
Who can help
Talking to Gemma Marshall about my interest in producing training materials relevant to her team's work could be a way to build my expertise and a possible path to future opportunities, or she may have some contacts she could put me in touch with.
Louise is also very pleased to support me further in being a second pair of eyes or assisting with speculative emails or job applications.
Useful websites
This summary of freelance work from Prospects may be useful.
The following websites are good to look through to see what job opportunities there are.
We also discussed the possibility of working with or for Cornwall Council, as they have a wide range of positions that may be suited to me.
Sue also shared some opportunities with me which may be useful in terms of developing my CV. There are a couple of opportunities at Cornwall Film Festival for graduates or current students. They are looking for Internships (unpaid) for social media marketing/graphic design, event organisation, comms and research. This is mainly done online so I wouldn’t need to travel.
The College’s Target Connect platform also has a wide range of resources for improving skills and links to targetjobs, which is specifically tailored to graduates.
External agencies
Creative Kernow is a major hub of creative programmes designed to support individuals and businesses. FEAST is their grants funding programme for art projects, which may be something to consider if I have a project in mind in the future. Cornwall 365 lists a wide range of local activities and events, which could be a useful platform if I start to run creative workshops. Krowji provides studios and workspaces on a long-term basis.
The Fish Factory is a community arts venue in Penryn, providing studio spaces, residencies, workshops, and exhibitions. They are also looking to provide post boxes to enable people to register their creative businesses. This could be very useful for me as I rent privately and may not be allowed to register my business at my home address.
CuratorSpace is a platform for curators and artists to host or attend events and workshops. It also lists opportunities and open calls for artists, providing a space for artists to showcase their skills and availability for commissions.
Arts Hub UK lists a variety of events, jobs, grants, and opportunities for a variety of art forms. Their articles and blog posts provide a wealth of practical information and career advice.
Artquest aims to make the visual arts more accessible to all by providing free advice and information to artists, including aspects like law, commissions, and residencies. This looks to be a very valuable resource as the range of topics they cover is very broad.
Unlocking Potential supports start-up businesses at various stages, helping them to overcome challenges and grow. They can provide small grants and one-to-one coaching and support and can even help with recruitment if needed.
Digital Peninsula provides training and support for small businesses, with a particular focus on digital skills. This may be of particular use to me as I try to work on my social media presence and update my proficiency with evolving software.
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development could be a useful resource if I wish to further my knowledge in learning and development for local businesses.
Help to Grow is a government scheme that helps businesses start and expand, providing information about finance, legislation, and management. Their section for start-ups looks particularly useful as it outlines things like registering a business, writing a business plan, and understanding tax. It also provides information about the government backed Start Up Loan.
Creative UK has recently provided the Cornwall Create Growth Programme, which was designed for businesses that want to explore commercial investment pathways. Although it is currently closed for this year, similar courses run in the future could be useful if I start selling my photos. Based on the recent programme, I would be eligible for Stage 1 upon registering my business.
Outset Cornwall was recommended by Tigger Pritchard. Outset offers free training sessions to help you start, run, boost, and grow your business.
The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth Hub provides free support and advice to local businesses. They work with various people, including photographers, and offer tailored advice based on identified skill gaps and potential grants or training opportunities. They have frequent drop-in sessions and workshops – their next business basics workshop is on Friday 5th July, which I hope to attend.
Business and IP Centre Devon is another free support group for local businesses in Devon. I came across them when I found their event, “Women in Business – Workshop for Neurodiverse Business Owners”. I reached out to enquire whether there was any flexibility for a Cornwall-based person to attend, but unfortunately, their funding only allows for attendees based in Devon. However, they were extremely helpful and pointed me to a few places that may be able to provide something similar. They also let me know that, while I cannot attend the live event, the recording of it will be published on their website for anyone to access. They have webinars about a variety of topics that will be extremely useful.
Neurodiversity in Business is an organisation that seeks to help businesses build more inclusive practices for neurodivergent employees. They also aim to empower neurodivergent people and help them navigate the workplace. This could be a valuable resource for me as an autistic person, but it could also be a platform I could collaborate with to provide my own autism and ADHD training.
Festival, competitions and exhibition opportunities
My focus for competitions and exhibitions will be my infrared photography. While “neurodiversity training” doesn’t lend itself to festivals and exhibitions as such, there are opportunities for the work to be recognised and for further professional development. There are some art competitions specifically for neurodivergent individuals and others for health-related topics. My creative work could potentially be entered into national competitions with a relevant theme, which could also be another way for me to challenge the misinformation surrounding neurodiversity and disability.
Deadline 14/06/24 – Submitted
Deadline 16/06/24 – Submitted – if selected, my photo will be exhibited on the Feel More Creative website - https://www.feelmorecreative.org/feltphotographic
Deadline 30/06/24 – Submitted
Deadline 01/07/24 – In Progress
Deadline 15/07/24 – In Progress
Early Deadline 21/07/24 – In Progress
Deadline 28/07/24 – In Progress
Deadline 31/10/24 – In Progress – this is mostly infrared-specific.
Photo Contest Deadlines is a useful website for keeping track of various competitions and their deadlines. I will check this periodically.
For Photographers Only lists a wide range of international contests on their Instagram page. There is a paywall to access details of some contests, but there is still a large number that they link to for free.
The Royal Photographic Society runs frequent competitions and exhibitions that my photography work may be suitable for.
ArtWorks Together is a competition for adults with learning disabilities or autism to showcase their art. It looks as though they run the competition every two years, so I hope that it will run again next year.
The Wellcome Photography Prize focuses on global issues surrounding health and the environment, with varying competition themes each year.
The National Autistic Society’s Autism Professionals Awards celebrate professionals and services who make a difference in the lives of autistic people. Categories include:
Achievement by an individual educational professional
Outstanding healthcare professional
Outstanding achievement by an individual on the autism spectrum
Inspirational education provision
Outstanding employer
Most creative community project
Similarly, the National Learning Disability and Autism Awards celebrate excellence in the support of vulnerable people, but where the NAS awards focus solely on autism, these awards also cover learning disabilities.
The Autism Show and the ADHD Foundation Conference are two of the biggest conferences where professionals can share best practices and current thinking about autism and ADHD respectively.
Career plan
What career do you wish to pursue?
There are two paths I would like to pursue. The first is as a fine artist working with infrared photography. The second is as a creator of training materials about autism and ADHD. The most likely direction I will take is to continue a part-time salaried job as a learning support assistant while expanding my creative practice privately, as income from self-employment is likely to be very low initially. I will approach these branches as separate roles, but it is likely that neither alone would provide a sustainable income and I will have to supplement my income. I may lean towards one avenue more than the other, or I may split my attention between the two. Currently, I would like to keep my options open and see what develops in the future.
There are many things I will need to learn more about to successfully become a freelance or self-employed artist or training resource creator. One of the most important is the practical and legal aspects of running my own business, like tax obligations and record-keeping. Navigating finances will likely be difficult, but there may be government grants or other funding sources for either pathway. This could be through Arts Council England or UK Research and Innovation, or possibly from small independent charities.
For either branch, I will need to make connections with like-minded people. This could include artists, galleries and exhibition spaces, advocacy groups, education providers, and government agencies. In either case, communication and networking will be extremely important.
I have the capacity to add a shop to my photography website for products such as prints, cards, and calendars, but for this to be successful, I would have to direct a lot of traffic towards my site. It may be beneficial to sell things on a site such as Etsy, even though they charge a small fee, as this could help me learn more about my target market and build brand recognition. This does not apply to my resource-creating pathway, which is likely to be based more on commission. For general resources that are not tailored to a specific organisation through commissions, I could build a website for this avenue and have pre-made training available for purchase, or I could host training events and workshops on platforms like Eventbrite.
Fine Artist
I have found a creative niche within photography – infrared. I would like to further my creative practice and sell my images online to private customers or possibly to galleries.
“As a fine artist, you may specialise in a medium and concentrate on a particular subject matter. You may also focus on a type of art, for example, landscapes, portraits or abstract art. Or you may work laterally across subjects, mediums and even disciplines to explore ideas in unexpected ways and make original connections. You could be commissioned to produce a piece of work or create your own pieces, which you'll then sell on, either directly to the public or through an intermediary such as a gallery or an agent, or you might engage in a creative research practice, contributing to knowledge via material and conceptual explorations. Other work may include running art classes or getting involved with community art projects or schools or applying creative problem-solving strategies in a wide range of contemporary contexts.”
The National Careers Service website says I need to be able to promote myself. I could create an online presence through my own website, blog, or social media channels. I have already started on this with my Infrared Cornwall website and Instagram account but can develop this further. In addition, they suggest that I could get an agent or raise funds through crowdfunding websites to increase revenue. This would also be something to investigate once I have a larger online presence.
They also suggest joining together with other artists and organising my own shows in galleries or other exhibition spaces. This may be something I explore in the future, once I have a more comprehensive body of work. One suggestion I have already started working on is to enter competitions and open exhibitions.
There are several roles that I could explore that are related to the field of fine arts. Some, such as arts administration, may suit my skills in organising and attention to detail. Other roles, like working in community arts, could be something I excel at due to my approachable nature, patience, and desire to support disadvantaged people.
The role – arts administrator:
“You'll plan and organise activities and projects, with the aim of facilitating the work of artists and arts programmes. The work is varied and the type of tasks you'll carry out will depend on the size of your organisation and the service it provides.”
Qualifications:
“It's not essential for you to have a degree but many arts administrators do have some form of higher level qualification. Entry without a degree, diploma, certificate or related qualification is possible via a secretarial, support or assistant role. You should then be able to work your way up as you gain relevant experience. It might also be possible to become an arts administrator if you have experience at a similar level within another area of administration.”
The role – community arts worker:
“You'll promote artistic activities to local groups and individuals to support their development and improve their quality of life. You'll mainly work in areas where there are social, cultural or environmental issues and will use a range of art forms to engage with these community groups. Similar titles are arts development officer, youth engagement officer, youth arts practitioner, and community projects assistant. Creative practitioners are usually freelance creative professionals. Project work may fall into categories such as race, gender, disability, health and the environment.”
Qualifications:
“Employers place emphasis on having the right skills and experience rather than specific qualifications. However, many community arts workers are qualified or trained in a particular arts discipline. Postgraduate courses are available in subjects such as community and participatory arts, art and social practice, community music and community dance. These can all provide you with useful skills but won't guarantee entrance to a job at a higher level.”
Training Resource Creator – Disability
I would like to combine my expertise and lived experience of disability with my media and design skills to create training resources centred around disability, with a particular focus on neurodivergence. These could be in the form of animated videos, live videos, presentations, websites, or booklets. It is likely that I would work on a self-employed or freelance basis, although the uncertainty of no regular salary leaves me a bit apprehensive. While I don’t want to necessarily “become an influencer”, a lot of my work would be based on social media. This is partially to help with promoting my services, but also because my goal is to reach a wider audience and begin to break the stigma surrounding disability within the general population.
There are some key areas I would need to continually develop:
Web and resource design – updating design skills and knowledge of software, adapting my skills and techniques to meet the needs of clients.
Disability advocacy – keeping updated with current research and thinking to ensure I provide correct information, reflecting on my skills and effectiveness when working with the community.
Local need – updating knowledge about current (or lack of) services for disabled people, engagement with local businesses to gauge their approach to disability or need for support and training.
Social media presence – following trends, improving reach and engagement, optimising platform use to suit the audience.
There are various online courses I could take – Skillshare is something I would like to investigate further, for example. A lot of their courses would be useful to me as they cover things like graphic design, UI/UX design and accessibility, photo and video editing, the core Adobe programs, and social media presence and marketing. While I am a skilled photographer, I can also further my knowledge or fill in any gaps with their range of photography courses and may be able to improve my confidence in shooting video, too. Their blog also has a lot of useful content that can be accessed for free.
As the role of a training resource creator has many different facets, I have looked at several different positions which may play a part in the type of job I would like to carve out for myself.
The role – trainer or assessor:
“You’ll design and deliver learning and development sessions to improve the knowledge and skills of staff. Trainers or assessors could work for a social care employer and deliver training to all staff within the organisation, or could work for a training provider who delivers training to different social care employers.”
Qualifications:
“You usually need to have some experience in a training or teaching role and might need a relevant qualification such as an Award in Education and Training or an Assessor Award. It might also be useful to have some experience working in social care and health, and have a social care qualification such as a Diploma in Health and Social Care.”
The role – training and development officer:
“As a training and development officer, your job is to equip staff with the knowledge, practical skills and motivation to carry out their work activities effectively. You'll take a strategic approach to training, assessing the skills and knowledge within an organisation and determining what training is needed to grow and retain these skills. You'll either deliver the training yourself or arrange for a third-party trainer to do it.”
Qualifications:
“Many organisations look for individuals with Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) qualifications, which may help you command a higher salary.”
The role – learning experience designer:
“A learning experience designer (LXD) is a professional who is responsible for creating engaging and compelling learning experiences used in schools and corporate training alike. This can involve anything from creating and designing courses and learning materials to developing assessment tools and evaluating the effectiveness of learning programs.”
Qualifications:
“LXDs typically have a background in education or have taken instructional design courses, and many also have experience working in the corporate world. This combination of skills allows them to understand the needs of both organizations and learners.”
Professional practitioner
Melanie King – Fine Artist
Melanie King is an artist and curator who specialises in alternative processes. She is the founder of the London Alternative Photography Collective, and co-director of super/collider and Lumen Studios. King is also a photography lecturer at Canterbury Christ Church University. Originally from Manchester but now based in Ramsgate, Kent, King graduated with a BA in Fine Art from Leeds Art University in 2011 and achieved an MA in Art and Science from Central Saint Martins in 2013. In 2024, She was awarded an Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy from Canterbury Christ Church University, as well as a PhD in Fine Art from the Royal College of Art.
King explores the relationship between the environment, photography, and materiality. She aims to highlight the connection between photographic materials and the natural world by researching sustainable photographic processes to reduce her environmental impact. Her 2023 project, Acquaintance, uses locally sourced botanical cyanotype toning and sustainable methods to create works connected to the local landscape. King’s project is centred on the Peak District, close to where she grew up. From 2021 to 2022, her project Precious Metals examined the materiality of silver and palladium, their cosmic origins, extraction from Earth, and use in photography, proposing less ecologically harmful methods. Her PhD research, Ancient Light: Rematerialising The Astronomical Image, involves analogue photographs of the night sky taken in isolated, dark-sky locations, considering how light travels for millennia before reaching photosensitive film or digital sensors.
I admire the way King experiments with alternative processes. She is not limited by the conventional way of using things like cyanotypes and lumen prints, but rather, manipulates the process to find something that is more sustainable. King’s major subject focus is the night sky, connecting science and art. Similarly, my focus with infrared photography is on the invisible wavelengths of light, also bringing a scientific aspect to my creative practice.
While her art brings in some income, King relies on donations through Patreon to continue her creative work, showing the importance of maintaining an online presence. She also has a regular income through her work as a university lecturer, highlighting how difficult it is to earn a living solely through creating and selling art. If I pursue this pathway, I will likely have to continue a form of salaried employment for financial stability.
Awards
Curatorspace Bursary, 2024.
Arts Council England, Developing Your Creative Practice Grant for "Acquaintance" , 2023.
Arts Council England, Project Grant for "Precious Metals", 2021.
Royal Academy of Engineering. Ingenious Public Engagement Grant, 2021. (With Leah Nani Alconcel, University of Birmingham)
Rebecca Vassie Memorial Trust, 2021.
Arts Council England Emergency Covid 19 Grant, 2020.
South East Creatives Grant, 2020.
Rebecca Vassie Memorial Trust, 2019.
Grantham Art Prize, Imperial College London, 2019.
Threshold Award, Metro Imaging, 2018.
Royal College of Art, Conference Funding Award, July 2018.
London College of Communication, Research Funding Award, March 2017.
Residencies
Island Darkroom Residency, Achmore, Scotland, February 2024.
The Lengths, Achaphubuil, Scotland, January 2024.
School of Metallurgy and Materials, The University of Birmingham, UK, Feb 2021 to July 2022
Climate Breakdown Residency, SPACER, Ramsgate, UK, July 2021 - Oct 2021.
The Fish Factory, Cornwall, UK, October 2020.
Space-Earth-Space, Field Notes: The Heavens, BioArtSociety, Kilpisjärvi, Finland, September 2019.
Exchange of the Light, XYZ Books, Lisbon, June 2019
Tombolo, Brow Head, Mizen Peninsula, West Cork, Ireland. May 2019.
Joya: Arte & Ecologia, April 2019
Bow Arts, Raw Labs, October 2018 - February 2019
Resonances, EU Commission, Ispra, Italy. June 2018.
SÍM Residency, Reykjavik, Iceland, February 2018
Whitechapel Gallery, November 2017 - January 2018.
Laboratory of Dark Matters, Guest Projects, April 2017
Royal College of Art Merz Barn Residency, February 2017
Kielder Observatory, February 2017 (Supported by LCC Research)
The Story Of Light, Goa, India, January 2015
Foyle Foundation Residency, Four Corners Film, London, UK, December 2014.
The Old Lookout Gallery, Broadstairs, UK, 2014
MRC Anatomical Neuropharmacology Unit, Oxford University, UK, 2012.
Exhibitions
Solo
Precious Metals: The Cosmic Origin Of Silver and Palladium, Photofusion, London, UK. July 2022. Funded by Arts Council England and Patreon.
Ancient Light, Big Day Film Collective, Greater Philadelphia, USA. 1 Sep - 12 October 2021.
Wavelengths, Photo Co Op, Folkestone, Kent, UK. 21 May - 4 June 2021. Funded by Arts Council England and South East Creatives.
Lunar Portraits, Leeds Art University, Blenheim Walk, Leeds, UK. 17 Jan - 09 April 2020.
Ancient Light, Bloomsbury Festival, London, UK, 13-26 Oct 2019.
Ancient Light, Blyth Gallery, Imperial College London, UK, 9 Jan - 2 Feb 2018
First Light, Leeds Art University - Vernon St, Leeds, UK. 3 Nov - 15 Dec 2017
Duo
Across The Landscape with Jess Holdengarde , The Margate Gallery, Margate, UK, 19 - 25 April 2024.
The Story of Light with JJ Hastings , 71A Gallery, Shoreditch, London, UK, January 2015.
Group (most recent)
2024
198th Royal Scottish Academy Open Exhibition, 11 May-16 June 2024.
Future Now, QUAD Gallery, Derby, UK, 16 March-30 June 2024.
Dark Peak Photo Festival, Glossop, UK. 22-25 February 2024. Funded by Arts Council England and Patreon.
2023
PRINT PRINT PRINT, Lux Moving Image, London, UK, 17 December 2023.
Spectrum Miami, Analog Film Photography Association, Art Basel Miami 2023, USA, 8-10 December 2023.
Elemental Landscapes, Analog Film Photography Association, Crealde School of Art, Orlando, USA, 20 Oct 23 - 20 Jan 2024.
Affordable Art Fair, London, UK, 19 - 22 Oct 23.
Collective Polyphony Festival, Melbourne, Australia, 9 Sep 23 - 30 Sep 23
Alternative Process and the Handmade Photograph, Atlanta Photography Group Gallery, Atlanta, USA, 13 Mar - 17 Apr 2023.
Glacial Movements & The Ghaib:
VM Art Gallery, Karachi, Pakistan, 4 - 25 Mar 2023.
Tagh'eer Lahore, Pakistan, Mar 2023.
COMSATS University, Islamabad, Pakistan, June 2023.
Daphne Oram Gallery, Canterbury Christ Church University, UK, 16 Sep - 09 Jan 2024.
Beyond Silver, The Hive, Birmingham, UK, 19th Jan - 06 Feb 2023.
Changing Currents, Space Studios Ilford, London, UK, 09 Feb - 30 June 2023.
Workshops (most recent)
Cyanotype with Botanical Toning, Dark Peak Photo, Glossop, UK,24 February 2024.
Cyanotype with Botanical Toning, Open Eye Gallery, Liverpool, UK, 19 February 2024.
Lumen Printing, Cementfields, Ebbsfleet Academy, UK, 28 March 2023.
Schlieren Photography with Dr Carlos Cueto, Imperial Lates, Imperial College London, London, 09 March 2023. Supported by CCCU.
Phytogram, Royal College of Art, 13 February 2023.
Tigger Pritchard – Autism/PDA Consultant
The Autistic Coffee Shop with Tigger Pritchard
Aucademy
The Autistic Community of Cornwall CIC
Tigger Pritchard is an advocate, consultant, trainer, and campaigner based in Cornwall, specialising in autism and pathological demand avoidance. With over 36 years of professional and personal experience in education, support, and advocacy, and being neurodivergent himself, Pritchard is well-equipped to help individuals, families, and organisations understand autism and neurodiversity.
He spent 15 years as a lecturer in the foundation studies department at Truro and Penwith College, where he collaborated with the National Autistic Society to create and deliver an autism awareness training course. Since 2014, he has been delivering training sessions with local care agencies. Now self-employed, Pritchard works as a freelance consultant and trainer for various organisations, including Disability Cornwall & Isles of Scilly, and Cornwall Special Partnership Trust Specialist Schools. He is also a regional tutor for the Makaton Charity and a speaker at educational conferences nationwide.
A key aim of Pritchard's work is to raise awareness, understanding, and acceptance of neurodiversity. He maintains a strong social media presence on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, where he runs The Autistic Coffee Shop and the National Autistic Society Cornwall pages, sharing content to educate, engage, and support individuals and families. Additionally, Pritchard is a regular contributor to Aucademy and The Autistic Community of Cornwall, aiming to educate both autistic and non-autistic people about the autistic experience.
Pritchard’s work is varied, showing how exciting yet unpredictable self-employment can be. This would be a challenge for me, but with a contact in Tigger, who understands both self-employment and neurodiversity, I feel confident that I will have the support I need. His expertise will be invaluable whether I pursue work as an artist, disability trainer, or both.
Nominations and Awards
Nominated National Diversity Awards 2024 (Positive Role Model Award)
Nominated National Diversity Awards 2024 With The Autistic Community of Cornwall (Community Group Award)
Nominated, National Diversity Awards 2023 (ND Achiever)
Winner, BAPs Awards 2022, Championing SEND
Nominated, Celebrating Neurodiversity Award 2022 (ND Achiever)
Nominated, National Diversity Award 2022 (Positive Role Model)
Nominated, National Diversity Award 2021 (Positive Role Model)
Nominated, National Diversity Award 2021 with Aucademy (Community Organisation Award)
Nominated, BAPS, Bloody Awesome Parents Award 2021 (Educating Educators)
Finalist, Cornwall Care and Support Awards 2019 (Volunteer of the Year Award)
Shortlisted, National Autistic Society Awards 2008 (Professional of the Year Award)
Recent Conferences and events
Times Educational Supplement, Special Educational Needs Show (TES SEN)
Babcock International SENCO Conference
National Portage Association Conference
Autism West Midlands Conference
Plymouth University Inclusion Conference
CAHSC Outstanding Care Conference
Neurodiversity IW Conference (Isle of Wight)
Wolverhampton University
Creating Inclusion Conference North East Autism Society
South and West Association of Leaders in Special Schools (SWALSS)
The PDA Global Summit, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023
Autistic Mental Health and Wellbeing Conference. Reframing Autism, Australia
Positive PDA
Healing Minds Conference
Neurodiversity and Eating Disorder/Disordered Eating
Parent Carers Organisations
NAS Branches UK wide
High Speed Training: Autism Awareness Course Advisor
ASNA Autism Awareness Sabbath
What job opportunities are available?
Tempest Photography is looking for a school photographer based in Plymouth. This specific job is too far away but is the sort of role I could potentially do to give me more experience with commercial photography. I am friendly and approachable, and with years of experience working with children of all ages, I would be suited to this type of role.
Cornwall Cottages has advertised a vacancy for a social media manager. The advert is quite sparse, but they are looking for someone with skills in writing, photography, and blogging. The role is initially part-time and temporary but could lead to a full-time position. I would be suited to this due to my creativity and high literacy skills.
The Skills Network has a position available for a remote digital learning designer. The key responsibilities for this role include advising and supporting the design and implementation of online education courses. I do not have enough experience for this type of role yet, but it could be an avenue worth exploring once I have more experience in designing training resources.
Acuity Care Group has advertised a vacancy for a learning and development trainer, who would travel across the country delivering training to businesses within the Care Group. Training programs would fall into the Bespoke Health and Social Care and Learning Disability and Autism services. The main responsibility of the role is to deliver this training, which is not something I am confident in doing, but there is also an element of developing new training programs, which I am particularly interested in. This specific role may not be quite what I am looking for, especially as it involves travelling around the country, but it is useful to see the skills and experience these types of jobs are looking for.
What is your unique (creative) selling point?
I am a multi-talented individual with a broad range of media skills, particularly in both analogue and digital photography. My expertise in cyanotypes and infrared photography sets me apart in these niche areas, potentially reducing competition as other artists use more conventional mediums. Proficient in Photoshop and with some experience in Premiere and After Effects, I excel in designing websites, photo books, and marketable items such as cards and calendars. This skill also extends to creating seamless, coherent, and engaging training resources.
My high literacy skills and deep knowledge of photographic techniques and neurodiversity, combined with my personal experience of disability, equip me to write effectively on either topic. Additionally, my background in education and work with disadvantaged young people positions me well to deliver successful artistic workshops.
Will you need public liability insurance?
Potential Insurance Types:
Public Liability Insurance will protect me if my business activities cause injury to a member of the public or property damage, for example, if someone trips over my tripod on a photoshoot.
Professional Indemnity Insurance covers legal costs and damages if a client is dissatisfied with my work and claims it caused them financial damage due to mistakes or negligence.
Legal Expenses Insurance covers legal costs for problems like contract disputes. This would be beneficial to have, especially if I move towards commission-based work.
Business Interruption Insurance covers a loss of income if I cannot operate my business due to an unforeseen event such as a fire. This may be something I investigate as my business grows and a higher proportion of my income comes from photography.
Income Protection Insurance provides a regular income if I cannot work due to illness for an extended period. Due to my disabilities, it would be prudent to investigate this in case my health deteriorates. This is also something to consider as my business grows.
Equipment Insurance protects my photography equipment against theft, loss, and damage.
Contents Insurance covers office or studio contents against theft and damage. If I work from home, this may be covered by an existing policy, and if I hire a studio space, I will have to see what sort of coverage their policies include.
Employers’ Liability Insurance covers claims from employees (including freelancers) who are injured while at work. I will not have employees for the foreseeable future, but this is something I will need to consider if I expand my operations.
Cyber Liability Insurance protects against risks of hacking and data breaches. I may need this depending on how my clients’ data is stored, and the policies and existing coverage provided by Wix and Etsy if I begin selling on these platforms.
Commercial vehicle insurance will cover my car in the event of an accident if I am using it for business purposes. My current insurance policy only includes personal use and commuting to a place of work.
Many insurance providers offer coverage for start-up businesses, but one that has been recommended to me is Markel. They are experts in insurance, tax, and business law for any size of organisation, and cover most professional industries. Their policies can be tailored to individual needs, and clients can have access to the Business Hub, which provides template documents and contracts to support businesses with their legal obligations. Markel may be more expensive than other insurance providers, but due to the Business Hub and the fact that they may cover more of my needs, it may be worth the extra expense to invest in a robust policy.
Three-year career plan
Year 1
Foundation and skill-building
Fine Artist | Disability Training Designer |
Decide on niche | Decide on specialisation |
Develop artistic style | Develop unique training methodology |
Develop a brand identity | Develop a brand identity |
Set clear, achievable goals | Set clear, achievable goals |
Improve technical skills | Obtain relevant qualifications |
Improve editing skills | Consider certifications e.g. CIPD |
Attend workshops, seminars, and courses | Attend workshops, seminars, and courses |
Invest in quality gear and software | Invest in technology |
Build a strong portfolio | Develop high-quality training materials |
Develop a professional website | Develop a professional website |
Establish a presence on social media | Establish a presence on social media |
Draft a detailed business plan | Draft a detailed business plan |
Decide on the legal structure (sole trader, limited company) | Decide on the legal structure (sole trader, limited company) |
Register business with HMRC and learn about tax obligations | Register business with HMRC and learn about tax obligations |
In either field, my first year is going to focus on developing my brand identity, building a portfolio, and structuring my business. I need to dedicate time to becoming a more knowledgeable practitioner – this is the time to attend workshops rather than host them. This is also a great opportunity to build an online presence, particularly on Instagram and potentially TikTok, where I can share some behind-the-scenes aspects of my work or mini-tutorials.
Income will be minimal at this point as I am beginning with no client base and would need to develop some products (photos or training examples) before I can secure funding. I will need to continue working a salaried job during this time as poor cash flow is likely. Fortunately, both avenues initially have low running costs as I can build my portfolio from my desk at home. I will have to invest time rather than money.
During this time, I will also need to determine which skills I need to improve, as it will be just me running the business at first. I anticipate struggling in areas related to business administration, such as accounting, setting up policies, and ensuring I meet my legal and tax obligations. This is where the free workshops from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth Hub would be a particularly useful resource. Their advice will also help me determine whether to register as a sole trader or a limited company and what I should be looking for in a business bank account.
Year 2
Building brand and client base
Fine Artist | Disability Training Designer |
Network at art fairs, exhibitions | Network at conferences and seminars |
Collaborate with other artists, models, and local businesses | Collaborate with organisations, schools, and local businesses |
Identify and target ideal clients | Identify and target ideal clients |
Optimise website for search engines | Optimise website for search engines |
Build and maintain strong client relationships | Build and maintain strong client relationships |
Seek exhibition opportunities | Organise public workshops and seminars |
Participate in art fairs and markets to sell work | Offer tailored training sessions for specific client needs |
Utilise online platforms (e.g. Etsy) to sell work | Develop online courses to reach a broader audience |
Develop a pricing strategy | Develop a pricing strategy |
Keep detailed financial records | Keep detailed financial records |
Research and apply for grants, competitions | Research and apply for grants and funding opportunities |
My second year will focus on establishing my services and expanding my market reach. By networking with other professionals in either field and reaching out to connect with local businesses, I can develop my practice and build my reputation.
By optimising my website and social media presence, I can direct more traffic to an online store and build a bigger client base. This will also be aided by hosting workshops and seminars, or by exhibiting my creative work and selling products in local craft fairs.
Cash flow is likely to still be low until I am more established, but by keeping detailed financial records and ensuring the basic administrative aspects of my business are secure, I can increase my chances of being awarded grants or funding opportunities. It is unlikely that I will be in a secure enough financial position to leave my salaried job, so I will have to manage my workload appropriately.
I will continually need to evaluate the success of my business and identify any problems or risk factors as they occur. With the advice of business support agencies, I can develop mitigation strategies and ensure I can handle any issues confidently and professionally.
Year 3
Expansion and Diversification
Fine Artist | Disability Training Designer |
Scale business, hire help | Scale business, hire help |
Invest in a dedicated studio | Invest in a dedicated office space |
Diversify income streams with workshops and classes | Diversify income streams by offering consulting services |
Explore licensing art for commercial use | Engage in public speaking at conferences |
Develop merchandise | Write articles, books, or guides |
Stay current and updated with the latest trends and technologies | Stay current and updated with the latest research in disability and neurodiversity |
Continuously seek feedback and make improvements | Continuously seek feedback and make improvements |
Review business goals | Review business goals |
Adapt to changes in the market | Adapt to changes in the market |
During my third year, I will aim to expand my services. I hope to have a more established income stream that will give me the confidence to leave my salaried position and dedicate myself to my business full-time. This would mean I can increase the number of workshops I deliver and take on larger projects. I may be able to use my expertise to write articles or books, diversifying my income sources.
While I would aim to stay updated on the latest photography trends or disability research throughout, at this point it becomes much more crucial. My brand’s reputation will rely heavily on my knowledge being current, particularly regarding the rapidly changing landscape of disability advocacy and government policies. At the time of writing, we are approaching a general election. If the Conservatives remain in power, they are seeking to overhaul the Personal Independence Payment system for disabled people. If Labour come to power, they hope to reform or replace the Work Capability Assessment. In either case, it is likely to be a difficult period of transition for the disabled population; the training, consultancy, and advocacy I hope to provide will need to adapt rapidly to account for these changes and to meet the needs of my clients.
With a more secure income stream and public confidence in my business, this may be the right time to hire additional people to help with aspects of the business I can no longer manage on my own. I may need to invest in a dedicated studio or office space, so it would be worth looking into business loans at this point.
Finally, I need to take time to reflect on my first few years of operation, review my business goals, and plan for the years ahead.
Business plan
Using the Prince’s Trust business plan template, I have pulled out some key elements to create two basic business plans that I can expand on during the initial stages of my three-year plan. Each consists of an executive summary, a basic market analysis and sales strategy, an operations and financial plan, and a risk analysis.
Fine Artist – Executive Summary – Infrared Cornwall
Mission: To create visually captivating infrared artwork that inspires and resonates.
Objectives: Establish a strong online presence, exhibit work in major galleries, and achieve a sustainable income by year three.
Overview: I specialise in fine art infrared photography, capturing the hidden beauty of both natural and man-made landscapes from a unique perspective.
Market Analysis and Sales Strategy
Target Market: Art collectors, galleries, interior designers, and commercial clients.
Trends: Growing interest in limited edition prints and custom artwork.
Competitors: Local fine art or infrared photographers.
Promotion: Instagram campaigns, exhibitions and competitions, and participation in art fairs.
Sales Channels: Personal website, Etsy shop, and local galleries.
Pricing: Premium pricing for limited edition prints and competitive rates for standard prints, cards, and calendars.
Operations and Financial Plan
Location: Home-based office and studio.
Costs: Equipment, initial marketing, and prints to build stock.
Revenue Streams: Print sales, commissioned projects, photography workshops.
Funding: Initial funding from personal savings, plus potential grants and a small business loan.
Risk Analysis
Risks: Economic downturn affecting art sales, health issues impacting my ability to work, and market saturation.
Mitigation: Comprehensive insurance, maintaining an emergency fund, regular backup of digital work, and continuous market research to stay ahead of trends.
Disability Training Designer – Executive Summary – Name TBC
Mission: To empower organisations and individuals by providing comprehensive training on disability, autism, and ADHD, and to promote understanding, inclusion, and support for neurodivergent people.
Objectives: Establish a strong online presence, secure partnerships with educational institutions and businesses, and achieve a sustainable income by year three.
Overview: I specialise in designing and delivering engaging training programs that focus on disability awareness and neurodivergence, informed by personal experience and professional expertise.
Market Analysis and Sales Strategy
Target Market: Schools, businesses, healthcare providers, and public sector organisations.
Trends: Increasing awareness and legislative emphasis on inclusion and diversity in workplaces and educational institutions.
Competitors: Local and national training providers.
Promotion: Active presence on LinkedIn, content marketing through blogs and webinars, and participation in relevant conferences and events.
Sales Channels: Personal website, events hosted on Eventbrite, networking, and partnerships with organisations and educational institutions.
Pricing: Competitive pricing with tiered packages for different types of training such as prepared workshops and specially tailored training programs.
Operations and Financial Plan
Location: Home-based office.
Costs: Initial marketing and potentially professional certification.
Revenue Streams: Workshops, online courses, consulting services, and public speaking engagements.
Funding: Initial funding from personal savings, plus potential grants and a small business loan.
Risk Analysis
Risks: Economic downturn affecting demand for training, and health issues impacting my ability to work.
Mitigation: Comprehensive insurance, maintaining an emergency fund, regular backup of digital work, and continuous research to stay updated with legislation surrounding disability.
Reflective commentary
I first joined the FdA in Film, Media and Photography with a foundation of basic skills and a desire to find my niche in the creative world. Over the years, I have navigated through various projects and modules that have expanded my technical abilities and deepened my conceptual understanding. This evaluation reflects on my academic journey, the challenges I faced, and where I currently stand as a creative practitioner.
Through a wide range of creative projects, I have developed my technical and conceptual understanding of photography and media. Although I had some experience before starting the course, I have become proficient in both analogue and digital photography. I feel particularly at home in the darkroom, where I have explored chemigrams, wet cyanotypes, and other experimental techniques. My digital work includes cinemagraphs and lyric videos, demonstrating a diverse skill set. I believe I have grown significantly in my ability to experiment and push the boundaries of traditional photography.
However, I wish I had used the studio more often. The main reason for this is my difficulty in asking people to be the subjects of my photographs. When I did use the studio, my models were close friends, and even asking them was challenging. Despite this, these experiences have helped me grow more comfortable with studio work and interpersonal communication.
I started the course hoping to find my niche, and I feel as though I have finally found it in the last few months. Infrared photography has captivated me, offering a unique perspective and a relatively uncommon medium. I have also begun to develop a brand identity with the creation of “Infrared Cornwall”, and an editing style with almost-natural, muted colours that suggest otherworldliness without being completely alien.
Another area of interest emerged from a client brief in the second year of the FdA, where I created an in-depth presentation about ADHD for the staff at the college. This project was extremely fulfilling, and I would love to continue this type of work in the future, blending my creative skills with advocacy and education.
The contextual modules were highly engaging, allowing me to explore the history of photography, the Golden Age of Hollywood, and the rise of digital media. Concepts such as postmodernism and hyperreality challenged me to consider the role of media in society and its influence on our perception of reality, especially with the emergence of new technologies like AI. I particularly enjoyed creating video essays analysing Hollywood Horror and the Construction of The Matrix.
Researching for my dissertation has been a challenging yet rewarding process. Sifting through a wealth of information to find relevant, reputable sources required patience and critical thinking. Navigating academic conventions was initially daunting, but I have seen significant improvement in my analytical skills and confidence in conducting research.
The BA Applied Media top-up year has provided valuable insights into the media and photography industry. I have been able to assess my strengths and weaknesses in professional practice, gaining a clearer understanding of self-employment and freelance work. I have realised that I am less suited to commission-based work and prefer having creative control, which has led me towards fine art photography, with infrared as my medium of choice.
While I still have much to learn about running a business, I now know where to find support and how to establish the basics. I am committed to improving my communication and workload management skills, essential for a successful career in this field.
Returning to education as a mature student and completing this course has been challenging, especially with the impact of the pandemic. The transition to remote learning meant missing out on face-to-face teaching, technical workshops, and trips. However, my lecturers were committed to ensuring we had these opportunities as soon as it was safe. Their support was invaluable during this difficult time. Despite the difficulties in navigating a creative subject while in isolation, completing many aspects of my degree while in lockdown has shown me that I can work effectively from home.
Another significant challenge was managing my mental and physical health, which led to repeating my second and third years. I had long thought I was “different” in some way, and receiving my diagnoses of autism and ADHD has been transformative, informing much of my work. I created ADHD training for the college, illustrated the lived experiences of ADHDers through an exhibition, and explored the way autism is represented in film and television for my dissertation. The support I have received from my lecturers and the college community has been crucial, helping me grow in confidence and appreciate my unique perspectives.
My experiences over the last few years have led me to two potential career paths. I aim to develop my "Infrared Cornwall" brand, selling my infrared photographs to individuals, businesses, and galleries. Additionally, I hope to continue creating disability training resources to educate the community about neurodiversity. These pathways are very different, and I may end up favouring one over the other, but they each fulfil an important role for me. I want to harness my creativity and explore the world around me through my artwork, and at the same time, I am passionate about advocating for disabled people and doing my part to make the world a more inclusive, compassionate place.
I am realistic about the financial challenges ahead. I plan to return to my previous role as a learning support assistant at Truro College on a part-time basis, which will provide stability while I build my Infrared Cornwall business and collaborate with the Autistic Community of Cornwall.
Over the past few years, I have grown significantly, not only in my photography and academic skills but also in confidence. I feel prepared to enter the professional world, equipped with a unique artistic style and a strong foundation in critical thinking and professional practice. While challenges remain, my passion for infrared photography and advocacy for neurodiversity will drive my future endeavours.
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