Throughout my final year, I have been considering possible paths to progress in the future. I have still been working at Wild Ginger Photography (where I did my placement year) part-time time and it has always been an option for me to stay full-time after I’ve finished my degree, however, I have also considered other pathways. 

I have thought about the possibility of going freelance, and doing weddings and family photography, but more lifestyle than studio. I pondered this idea for a long time, thinking about the freedom I would have to create images in my style, however, there is a lot more to freelancing than this. I have had to take into consideration the security and experience within a full-time job, and the pressure that there would be if I were to go freelance. 

Although freelance is something that I may still consider doing in the future after gaining more experience, after finishing my degree, I have decided I am going to be starting full-time as a photographer with Wild Ginger Photography. Within this role, there will be lots of room for professional development and potential for me to become a studio manager in the future. I am very excited for the growth I will be able to do in this role, and to be going into this new venture. I feel extremely lucky to have a full-time photography job in the family photography sector straight out of university. I will be receiving newborn training and will begin to do newborn photoshoots when I start full-time. I will also be focusing more on sales, which is an aspect that I have done previously, but this is something that I want to improve my confidence and skills with. 

Moving into this role full-time is quite a daunting experience, but I feel that it is one that I am ready for after completing my placement year and final year at university. Placement year for me was definitely an invaluable experience, and gave me the relevant experience to continue with my final year whilst also having a full-time job to come out of university into. Reflecting on when I first started university, I feel proud of the long journey I have been on and that at the end of my degree, I am going straight into a full-time photography job.