Online Portfolio

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hamblenphotography/

C.V.

Lauren Hamblen

19 Victory Road, Stubbington, Fareham, PO14 2SE

Mobile: 07584019313                                     lauren.hamblen96@gmail.com

PERSONAL STATEMENT

A creative media production student from South Downs College. I am imaginative and have an excellent understanding of landscape and nature photography, and the ability to take amazing, eye-catching shots. I work well under-pressure, have strong communications and the ability to manage projects to ensure completion by the deadline. I am looking for an apprenticeship in Photography where I can use my creativity and develop new skills and experiences.

EDUCATION

2012 – 2014 South Downs College

BTEC Level 3 Creative Media (Print/Mixed)

Modules included:

·     Graphics design

·     Photography

·     Music Programming

·     Writing Copy

·     Media Communication

·     Understanding the Media Sector

·     Critical Approaches

2007 – 2012 Crofton Senior School

GCSEs

8 GCSE passes including English grade C, Mathematics grade C, ICT grade A and Music grade B

WORK EXPERIENCE

(date) Greggs, Fareham (Part-time)

Team Member

Worked with difficult situation and dealt with awkward customers. I have taken criticism and compliments from the public/customers and provided a quality service.

(date) Marks&Spencers, Fareham

School work experience

I contributed well with teamwork and also worked well independently. Learnt how to communicate and deal with the public/customers in different situations and get all the jobs done.

All of my work experiences have involved working within a team-based culture at some point, although I worked independently also. This involved co-ordination, organisation and commitment. For instance, in Greggs we had sales targets that had to be met and a fair distribution of tasks amongst all staff members.

SKILLS

·     Computing. Qualifications and techniques provided with a wide variety of programs e.g., Access, PowerPoint, Excel, Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign

·     Music. I teach myself to play piano and guitar, which shows that if I put my mind to something then I will not give up

Covering Letter

Dear Sir/Madam,

I would like to apply for the Photography job role and enclose my C.V. for your consideration.

As you will see I have had a considerable amount of work experience within different roles. I have gained good communication skills within the public and worked well under pressure. I was responsible for providing quality customer service whilst in a tidy work place and handling money at Greggs Bakery.

My work experience within different jobs has developed all the skills mentioned in your advertisement, particularly being independent and meeting targets. I'm also comfortable with adapting to different situations.

I am enthusiastic, able to work on my own initiative and a quick learner to new skills.

I have a passion for Photography and have always been trying new things with it, such as filters, editing, and techniques. There are many different areas of Photography which I have tried and found that I enjoy landscapes and nature photography the most.

My portfolio is built up with different work experiences amongst different events and small jobs.

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further information. I am available for interview at most times.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely



Lauren Hamblen

Creative CV

Photography Job Report

Issues

Individuals looking to enter into a career within the creative media sector can involve issues and positives. The issues that are most likely to occur consist of competition, experience and knowledge. You will be competing amongst many other individuals to get the job role you’re after, you need to make yourself stand out from everyone else and prove why you’re more suitable for the role. Having appropriate work experience will give you a huge advantage to be noticed because it means you have a better understanding of different tasks and won’t need as much training as others might need. Also, having a clear knowledge on the industry can show commitment and interest in the media sector.

The main positive of entering into a career within the creative media sector is how the media industry is always evolving. You will never get bored and everything will constantly be improving and developing. There will be new tasks, achievements, and challenges. The media industry is very interesting, hard working, and fun.

Photography

The day-to-day roles and responsibilities of being a photographer are mainly focused on the clients. A photographer will be working with clients and discussing their demands/requirements. Along with this would include carrying out research for the shoot, working in different locations and circumstances, using an extensive range of technical equipment, and seeking out appropriate opportunities.

Other duties involved in the role are managing the processing and use of images, and managing the business aspects of work, including administration, scheduling work, invoicing and basic accounting. A photographer also liaises with other professionals, for instance a graphics designer, writers, gallery managers, picture researchers, commissioning editors, and art directors.

The amount of hours you would be expected to work can be long and unpredictable. There can often be periods with little or no work as it revolves around clients and opportunities. In some areas of photography, working days and hours will be led by demand. For example, wedding photographers are likely to be at their busiest on Saturdays during the ‘wedding season’, and sports photographer will expect to work weekends and evenings to cover fixtures and events.

A variety of media based skills can be a huge advantage in the photography role. Skills such as photography, art and design, fine art, digital imaging, graphics, and media studies.

There are a few qualities that are needed for this role: personality, perseverance and patience; dedication; ability to blend quickly into work teams and build rapport with different people. These qualities all require you to show the ability you have when put in different situations. Whether those situations are stressful, new, awkward, difficult, etc. You need to be able to adapt yourself to the opportunities.

Experiences required for the role are to join photographic societies, visit exhibitions and galleries, look at photographs in books and magazines and find out as much as possible about any specific fields of interest, volunteering, work-shadowing, work experience and project work. These are all great ways of gaining not only experience but new skills, as well as making contacts.

The minimum qualifications needed for this role are the same as the skills which you might need. The media based subjects will provide you with useful skills and knowledge (photography, art and design, fine art, digital imaging, graphics, and media studies)

Starting salaries can vary between £10,500 - £21,250. Many entrants to the profession start as assistants, receiving an extremely low starting salary which can sometimes be less than £10,00. Once you have gained more experience, the top end salaries can be around £25,000 - £65,000. The salaries could get much higher for those who become famous or highly sought-after.

A photographer called Dennis Reddick is an amazing inspiration for south coast landscape photography. I would love the chance to work along side Dennis because his photos capture a moment in time. His photos are truly breath taking. Having someone look at my photography and being lost for words is what I am aspiring.

Dennis Reddick is is an enthusiastic amateur photographer based in Brighton. many of his photographs are taken on the South Coast of England. He purchased his first camera just over 7 years ago and since then has grown a considerable amount of enthusiasm. He came across a website called ePHOTOzine.com, which heightened his excitement and commitment to his photography. During his free time he enjoys being active and mountain biking in different areas. Dennis' website 'http://www.dennisreddickphotography.com' has been up and running since April 2006 and he also has a Flickr account to show off his photography to a wider audience. I have also made a Flickr account because it can prove to be a huge help it being successful and getting feedback on your work from other photographers. 

I believe that I am suitable for this job role as I have a great passion for photography. Many companies do not want to hire someone with no experience because they will be the ones having to train them with a variety of skills. Most companies are not willing to pay for this as they do not have the time or money. I have already had a variety of work experience, including photography. I do as much as I can to gain new skills and experiences with my photography, e.g. doing a photo-shoot for a friends band and building up my portfolio.

Job Report Notes

(issues)

• the issues faced by individuals looking to enter into a career within the creative media sector
• the positives of entering into a career within the creative media sector

Photography

The day-to-day roles and responsibilities of the particular job you are focusing on:

• working with clients and discussing their demands/requirements
• seeking out appropriate opportunities
• carrying out research for a shoot
• working in different locations and circumstances
• using an extensive range of technical equipment
• liaising with other professionals (graphics designer, writers, gallery managers, picture researchers, commissioning editors, and art directors)
• managing the processing and use of images
• managing the business aspects of work, including administration, scheduling work, invoicing and basic accounting

Other duties involved in the role:


The amount of hours you would be expected to work/shift patterns/early or late starts:

• Hours can be long and unpredictable
• There may periods with little or no work
• In some areas of photography, working days and hours will be led by demand. E.g. wedding photographers are likely to be at their busiest on Saturdays during the 'wedding season', and sports photographers will expect to work weekends and evenings to cover fixtures and events

The skills you might need for this role:

• photography
• art and design
• fine art
• digital imaging
• graphics
• media studies

The qualities you need for this role:

• Personality, perseverance and patience
• Dedication
• Photographers need the ability to blend quickly into work teams and build rapport with different people

Experience required for the role:

• Join photographic societies
• Visit exhibitions and galleries
• Look at photographs in books and magazines and find out as much as possible about any specific fields of interest
• Volunteering, work-shadowing  work experience and project work (great ways of gaining experience and skills, as well as making contacts)

The (minimum) qualifications needed for this role:

• photography;
• art and design;
• fine art;
• digital imaging;
• graphics;
• media studies.

Salary (include a starting salary and what you could expect to achieve once you have more experience):

• Starting salaries - £10,500-£21,250
• Many entrants to the profession start as assistants resulting in some extremely low starting salaries - sometimes less than £10,000
• Top end salaries - £25,000-£65,000 (can get much higher for those who become famous or highly sought-after)

http://landscape-photography.photographysearcher.co.uk/listing
(choose a company - why do I want to join that sector and what are the advantages and disadvantages)

3 Job Roles

Photographer
A professional photographer usually works to a brief set by the client or employer.

Work activities vary according to specialisation. Common activities for most photographers include the following:

• working with clients and discussing their demands/requirements
• seeking out appropriate opportunities
• carrying out research for a shoot
• working in different locations and circumstances
• using an extensive range of technical equipment
• liaising with other professionals (graphics designer, writers, gallery managers, picture researchers, commissioning editors, and art directors)
• managing the processing and use of images
• managing the business aspects of work, including administration, scheduling work, invoicing and basic accounting

Being a photographer can be a very busy, stressful job. There's so much responsibility and a large variety of roles that you need to complete by yourself and in limited time. Satisfying the customers needs plays a huge concern being a photographer. Whether the image includes wedding, family, fashion, food, architect. Many of the activities also include promotional products to get yourself known and recommended.

Even though this areas of work is open to all graduates, having qualifications in the following subjects can increase your chances:

• photography
• art and design
• fine art
• digital imaging
• graphics
• media studies

It is possible to get into the area of work without a degree, but a degree or an equivalent professional qualification is an advantage.

The typical range of starting salaries is between £10,500 and £21,250. Many people start there way into the profession as assistants, which have extremely low starting salaries - sometimes less than £10,000. However, salaries at the top end typically range from £25,000 to £65,000 but can be much higher if you become famous or highly saught-after.

When applying for work, it is essential that you have some sort of work experience. Preferably within the industry.


Graphic Designer
A graphic designer is responsible for creating design solutions that have a high visual impact. The role involves listening to clients and understanding their needs before making design decisions. They develop creative ideas and concepts, choosing the appropriate media and style to meet the client's objectives.

Typical activities include:

• meeting clients/account managers to discuss the business objectives and requirements of the job
• interpreting the client's business needs and developing a concept to suit their purpose
• estimating the time required and providing quotes for clients
• developing design briefs by gathering information and data (research)
• presenting finalised ideas and concepts to client/account managers
• working with a wide range of media (photography and computer-aided design)
• proofreading - high quality work
• contributing ideas and design artwork to the overall brief
• demonstrating illustrative skills with rough sketches
• working on artwork ready for print
• developing interactive design
• commissioning illustrators and photographers
• working as part of a team with printers, copywriters, photographers, stylists, illustrators, other designers, account executives, web developers and marketing specialists

Graphic designers often have to be proactive in presenting or 'pitching' their ideas and designs to the agency director and/or prospective clients.

Apart from technical and drawing skills, candidates need to show evidence of the following:

• passion, enthusiasm, and creative flair;
• a flexible approach when working in a team;
• patience;
• excellent communication skills in order to interpret and negotiate briefs with clients;
• good presentation skills and the confidence to explain and sell ideas to clients and colleagues;
• time management skills and the ability to cope with several projects at a time;
• accuracy and attention to detail;
• being open to feedback and willing to make changes to your designs;
• effective networking skills to build contacts.

The typical range of starting salaries can vary depending on experience and location. Junior graphic designers range from £14,000 - £25,000, whereas a senior designer can earn £25,000 - £45,000. A creative director can make up to £65,000 and an experienced and valued freelancer can earn up to £40 an hour. The rate increases for designers with impressive track records and recommendations.


Radio Broadcast Assistant
Radio broadcast assistants provide vital support in the development and day-to-day production of local and national radio. They help to ensure that shows run as smoothly as possible and undertake key administrative activities.

Day-to-day activities can vary between speech and music radio stations. The typical work activities include:

• research for programmes
• general administrative duties
• arranging and overseeing guest visits and freelance staff
• maintaining up-to-date contact lists
• producing transcripts, programme logs, and running orders
• recording programme costs
• preparing contracts and payments
• answering and archiving details of calls for phone-ins and competitions
• booking resources, facilities, studio time and equipment
• editing
• assisting with time-keeping, the production team, and with the recording of transmissions
• contributing to the creative input of a show
• updating the website

Having a degree in radio or media production may improve your chances of getting into this area of work. The requirements that candidates need to show evidence of are the following:

• creative flair
• good organisational skills
• a flexible attitude
• strong written and communication skills
• a strong interest in radio
• technical skills relevant to the role
• the ability to work as part of a team
• the ability to plan, prioritise and work under pressure

Also, having a good overall knowledge of the radio industry and the specific output of the station you wish to join is crucial. This mean keeping up to date with developments in the sector.

The typical range of starting salaries can vary between £13,000-£18,000 in London, whereas at senior level and with experience (e.g after 10-15 years) it can increase to around £17,000-£25,000. As many areas of work in the media sector, salary levels are fairly low for beginners.