Bethan is an exceptionally proactive and inspirational Young
Photographer from Hereford who has just finished her BTEC Level 3 Extended
Diploma in Art and Design at Hereford College of Arts. At the young age of 18 Bethan
is already well on her way to starting a fantastic career within Photography. We
recently caught up with Bethan to find out what she’s up to at the moment now
based in Cardiff and where her passion for photography first began…
Q: What made you decide to study Art and Design at an Art
College?
A: For GCSE I studied photography. This subject
became a huge passion of mine in which I wanted to continue with. I have always
loved the art world, when I choose the BTEC in Art and Design course I was told
I would learn a bit of everything before being able to specialise. This seemed
perfect for me; I wanted to explore the art world and different areas a little
more.
Q: At what point did you decide that Photography was the
route you wanted to go down?
A: Every time I would try a
different art field I would compare everything about it to photography. I felt
my passion would not dissolve for photography.
Q: Can you remember the first photograph you ever took
A: I used to steal the camera of my mum when I
was little and pretend I was the paparazzi. This annoyed her a lot as she is
never happy with a photograph of herself.
Q: Bethan you’re a young photographer achieving some great
things and carrying out some exciting projects, could you tell us what your
biggest achievement has been so far?
A: I can answer that straight
away. I feel my biggest achievement was being assistant photographer for the Queen.
I was asked by a gentleman who I have previously done voluntary work with, to
be his assistant. We were the only non-press photographers so we had more
control than any of the others. It was
for her Jubilee Tour, she visited a place near to where I live, Glanusk Estate.
Q: Who’s you
favourite photographer?
A: I know there are all these
amazing photographers in the world but at the moment it has to be someone quite
close to me, Mark Kerr. He has helped me out a lot and inspired me more than
anyone. He does local projects in which I am now involved with.
Q: What other things inspire you within your work?
A: Within photography I think
just looking around me inspires me. It inspires my work and what I put into my
photographs. There’s always something new to shoot whenever you look around.
People inspire me yes but the source of my images just comes from looking around.
Q: What have you found the most useful tool to get your work
out there and noticed by people?
A: Contacts are the most amazing
tool to get your work seen and known. They lead you onto bigger and better
things. Even the smallest thing can get your work known to just one more
person; the number will grow this way. Everything is worth doing when you want
to get your name out there as an artist.
Q: What are your plans for the future and where do you see
yourself placed within the creative industries?
A: I am currently working for a
jewellery company in Cardiff behind the advertisement section. I photograph
products and create advertisement shots for the products. These images are then
going onto their company website and catalogue. I’d call this my dream job so
would like to see myself still within this job in the future. They want me to
eventually become manager of head office, I feel privileged they feel I can
manage with this role.
Q: What advice would you give to other young people
interested in pursuing a career within Photography?
A: Contacts are everything; they
have led me onto great things and some of the best things in my career. Even
when you think you’re getting nowhere, there will be something around the
corner. It’s always worth asking and if people say no then you move onto
something else. I rang galleries, read books, contacted photographers and now I
feel I’m in my dream job and it was all worthwhile.
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