Our tutors’ strong ties with creative industry professionals underpin bringing in industry speakers and getting our students relevant work placements throughout the course of their curriculum. Meeting and learning with professionals throughout their academic years provides their students with valuable links to the industry that help lead them to employability. Those links have also led to boomsatsuma’s BA (Hons) Documentary Photography and Print students securing paid opportunities over the past few weeks.

Sam Simpson-Pattison worked with new design company, ‘Sunny Lemons’, at Alleyway Studios, as a Digital Operator. Sam's role included managing the files, edits, crops and exports and backup systems for ‘Capture One’.

Sam comments:

"My first experience assisting in a professional workplace was great. I learnt lots of technical skills and built my confidence whilst working alongside big clients. I’m looking forward to more opportunities with companies like this in the future."

Finn Hassall, a second-year student, spent seven days as a Lighting Assistant using ‘Profoto’ B1X’s for photographer Heiko Prigge. He worked on the lighting rigs in a team alongside Digital Operator Joseph Horton. Joseph Horton said:

"Finn was a fantastic help on the shoot with Ennismore/Hoxton. He brought a great attitude to set and helped out on both lighting and production roles in a self-directed manner, which created a really smooth and successful shoot."

Fin Hassall added:

"It was great to prove to myself that I can thrive under the pressure of a high-profile commercial shoot. Thank you boomsatsuma, Joe and Heiko for the opportunity."

Kate Feast, a second-year student, has taken the role of an Editorial Photographer, covering an event for boomsatsuma film school for ‘British Cinematographer’.

Freya Billington said:

"We could not be more pleased about the images she captured from this fantastic event. This was our second time working with her but the first where she was dealing with a professional crew in addition to staff and students, she wasn't fazed and her professionalism and general manner made her a delight to have on set. Looking forward to more future collaborations."

Kate added:

"Working in the context of a film set was a new professional experience for me. It gave me an insight into the world of a film crew, and exposed me to new roles I hadn't come across before. Behind-the-scenes photography is the art of sneaking around, being undetectable. Yet, capturing the action and the busyness of a set, along with the personalities of the cast and crew. Not to mention having the pleasure of working alongside an all-female crew, it was very empowering to accompany them and absorb their knowledge."

First-year student, James Bennett and second-year student, Jamie Horrington covered the ‘Lifetime for Justice’ event at the Wills Memorial Building, provided pre and post-production services and handled all the deliverables.

James comments:

"Thanks to boomsatsuma I was able to get a great taste of working in the industry. It was an intense day however, I learned a lot and have gained some good experience."