Our core six month training programme

See our 2023 Trainee Exhibition Event

Applications are now now open for the January 2024 training programme. Click on the links below for more information and to apply today. Application deadline 8th October 2023.

Apply to the Programme

FAQs about the training programme

Why?

For many young adults in London, a lack of resources, opportunities or industry connections means that a career in photography is out of reach. We believe that talent and motivation should be more important than who you know or where you come from, and it's our mission to make this a reality.

Our intensive six-month commercial photography training programme exists to support young adults (18-25) from less advantaged socio-economic backgrounds to overcome barriers to entering the photography and wider creative industries.

We provide both heavily discounted places (paid) as well as full-fee bursaries that cover all expenses and fees relating to the programme (free + expenses covered).

By offering discounted places (paid), we hope to make our programme accessible to people who are on a higher income but may face other barriers to entering the creative industries. Paid places are heavily subsidised, meaning TPF covers most of the cost of the programme.

What?

Throughout the six-month programme, you will join at us at our studio in North Greenwich once a week, for a full day of workshops and skills-based training.

During the first three months of the programme, you will have plenty of time to deepen your understanding of the commercial photography industry; developing your skills in digital photography, editing software, and business & freelance skills.

In the lead-up to the second half of the programme, you will identify a commercial photography pathway that interests you before creating a finished project with a business, start-up or charity for your professional portfolio.

This involves reaching out to a relevant organisation, pitching a commercial brief to promote their product, service or brand, and delivering a completed project.

The Benefits:

You will develop the hard and soft skills needed to pursue a career in the creative industries through:

Professional & skills-based workshops covering studio photography, editing, assisting, commercial photography pathways, business skills, website design, and more.
Goal-oriented, personalised support to help you develop at your own pace and in the areas that are most important to you.
Portfolio development to give you the best chance of securing commercially focused work in the future.
Network development throughout your time on the programme, you will have the opportunity to meet a wide range of professionals from the industry and to build a community of like-minded creatives.
Mentorship with an industry professional who will meet with you on a monthly basis throughout the duration of the programme.
Employability support & coaching through a range of professional talks that demystify the industry, one-to-one public speaking, and other professional skills coaching, help with CVs & cover letters and more.
Work experience through the development of a self-led commercial project and volunteering opportunities at our events.

We offer a range of resources during your time on the programme, including:

Access to a co-working space & mac computer in Greenwich.
Camera kit & editing software for the length of the programme.
Access to a bookable studio & kit in Greenwich.
Subscription to an online educational platform for self-led learning.
Long-term alumni development support, including free access to workshops and talks after finishing the programme.

Fees & Bursary

We are offering 8 places on our next programme. Successful applicants will either be offered a free (bursary) place or a discounted (subsidised) place, costing £950 (payment plans available). The kind of support you are offered depends on your household income.

By offering discounted places, we hope to make our programme accessible to people earning a higher income who are underrepresented in the creative industries.

Paid places are heavily subsidised, meaning that the actual cost of delivering the programme is much higher than what you pay – we cover the bulk of the cost.

Free places receive a full bursary, meaning that all costs related to the programme are covered, and expenses are paid at a daily rate for travel and food

Who?

To apply for the training programme, you must:

Be aged 18-25 when the programme starts – to ensure you are eligible to join the Spring cohort, we ask that you turn 18 no later than the 1st of May 2023, and that you turn 26 no earlier than the 1st of June 2023.
Consider yourself as having faced barriers to pursuing a career in the creative industries for reasons relating to social or economic disadvantage. (The questions in the application form relate to socio-economic background following guidance from the Social Mobility Commission as well as the Minimum Income Standards set out by the Centre for Research in Social Policy. There is an option to add information about personal circumstances in support of your application where you feel this is relevant).
Be based in London for the duration of the programme.
Be able to demonstrate that you have an interest in developing a career in commercial photography, or a related profession – e.g., event photography, fashion photography, content production, studio/lighting/digital assisting, interiors photography, etc.
Be able to commit to one full day a week (9 am-5 pm) for on-site workshops
Be available to work on projects & deadlines in your own time.

What we're Looking for?

You don’t have to be a professional photographer to apply, the purpose of the programme is to nurture your potential. To thrive on the programme, you will need to show that you already have some practical experience of producing photographic, or similar, work.

We want to see that you are enthusiastic, have a desire to develop, and that you have thought about how the programme will support you to reach your goals and boost your career. You will have the ability to work both independently and collaboratively, and to manage your time to achieve self-led outcomes. You will be motivated to grow and to make the most of the learning and opportunities on offer to you.

Please follow the link on the webpage to complete the application form. If you have any accessibility requirements in support of your application, please do not hesitate to email info@thephotographyfoundation.org. We will do everything we can to ensure the process is adapted to your specification.

Apply to the training programme