Work Experience

As part of my second-year coursework at Arts University Bournemouth, I was required to complete a period of professional work experience. I reached out to The Lymington & New Milton Times, where I was given the opportunity to shadow photojournalist Dee, focusing primarily on local sports coverage.

Over the course of several weeks, I accompanied Dee to various sporting events, including hockey and football matches in and around New Milton. This hands-on experience introduced me to the fast-paced world of sports photography, where timing, composition, and technical adaptability are key. With Dee’s guidance and encouragement, I was able to apply new techniques directly in the field and gradually build confidence in my ability to capture decisive moments under pressure.

Dee gave me the freedom to shoot independently during matches, and I would submit my images for review afterward. The newspaper’s photo editor would pair the selected shots with editorial content for publication. I was proud to have several of my images featured in the printed editions of the paper—an experience that not only affirmed my skills but also gave me real insight into the editorial process.

This placement deepened my understanding of working as a professional photographer within a journalistic context and helped sharpen my ability to respond visually to live, unscripted moments. It was a formative part of my development as a documentary photographer.