Course summary

Our BA (Hons) Commercial Photography course will equip you to thrive in today’s dynamic and competitive photographic industry, providing you with the knowledge and skills to flourish. You’ll combine visual awareness and innovation with technical excellence, professional understanding, and business competencies. From lighting and framing a dramatic fashion shot to visualising concepts for advertising campaigns, commercial photography has the power to influence and inspire. This course combines visual awareness and innovation with technical excellence, professional understanding, and business skills. Why Choose This Course? Our course is geared towards employability and enterprise. We develop photographers who are technically proficient, visually sophisticated, and professionally astute – who understand trends in the industry and how to pitch for business, and who graduate with a broad range of transferable skills that enable them to succeed in the creative industries. Students on this course will feel equipped with advanced technical skills in studio and location lighting, digital capture, and post-production techniques. This is an integrated programme of study with industry-oriented assignments, hands-on workshops, and expert tuition using sophisticated camera and lighting equipment. You will also develop your industry knowledge and professional skills to enable you to find work in high-end commercial photographic practice. Working both individually and in interdisciplinary groups and with real-world mentors, you’ll gain vocational experience to flourish both academically and professionally. You will acquire a broad range of entrepreneurial abilities in marketing, self-promotion, and business development, enabling you to develop a financially sustainable practice, fundamental to your success in the industry. Access Cutting-Edge Facilities and Industry Partnerships Our photographic resources boast industry-standard studios, featuring an infinity cove for creating seamless backdrops and a series of well-equipped studios ideal for portrait and product photography. Access to lighting and high-end digital camera equipment, large-format scanners, and post-production suites is readily available. Additionally, our Equipment Resource Centre offers a vast array of 6000 pieces of kit that are free to hire. With support from our teaching and technical team, as well as practitioners from industry, you’ll develop your confidence in responding to client briefs while demonstrating creative problem-solving and conceptualisation skills. During your second year of study, you’ll work with real industry clients to build a professional portfolio. Recent course contributors include Getty Images, The Met Office, Mercedes-Benz, and Pro-Direct Sport. You’ll also benefit from our affiliation with the prestigious Association of Photographers (AOP). Our students actively participate in esteemed events such as the annual Visual Culture Symposium in London. Notable speakers, including picture editors from The Telegraph and The Guardian, alongside acclaimed international photographers, offer invaluable insights and networking opportunities. We provide an environment for budding commercial photographers to develop skills and knowledge, shaping their futures in the industry. Our strong global network enables students to study abroad in Europe and North America for a semester. Similarly, we welcome overseas students, fostering cultural exchange in our studios. Graduates from this course go on to become e-commerce photographers, producers, stylists, editors, and retouchers. The surge in online shopping has spurred a new industry, with major brands establishing photographic studios for online retail and social media content. Local businesses like the Range, Saltrock, Seasalt, and Pro-Direct Sport hire our graduates. Others work for companies like Kurt Geiger and Audi UK. Many of our graduates also progress into self-employment.