Guest Speaking to Photography Students at Solent University 2024

I always love coming back to the university that kick-started my photography career. 🙌🏽 It’s been a decade since I graduated from Solent University with a BA Hons in Photography 🎓, and it’s a fantastic feeling to be back again, this time as a guest speaker on that very course for their Professional Practice module 🌟.

It was great engaging with students on how to start a photography business and my journey to where I am today and hearing their stories on what makes them feel passionate about the arts. 📸 I’ve had the privilege of speaking to the BA Photography students in previous years so it’s a delight to talk to the third-year students this academic year, a course where I have fond memories as it helped me believe in myself as a photographer and making a career out of it.

Thank you Nina Sverdvik, (BA Photography course leader) for inviting me to deliver a new presentation to your fab students. I appreciate your kindness, friendship and the time you’ve given to support me in my public speaking. I still remember all the lectures and seminars I had with you during my time as a student there so it’s a pinch-me moment that I’m now helping students on their journey just like how I was in their shoes 10 years ago. ✨.

I particularly loved mentoring a couple of the students, Andreea & Roxy after my interactive presentation and hearing their stories. It was so lovely having a candid chat just the three of us sharing our passion for photography and even talking on topics like queerness, ADHD and how being creative is such an important part of our experience in the world and having an outlet like photography is so meaningful. 🌈

Thank you for sharing your stories with me and opening up, it’s inspiring to see how talented the younger generation is and the joy & artistry they possess. It’s moments like this that really inspire me to be the photographer and person I am and continue in the educational/ mentorship space and pay it forward. 💚

I always get a little nervous before speaking though I see it as a sign that I really care and want to deliver something meaningful. During the hour I had in the classroom I shared my experiences during my studies on BA Photography course such as taking the initiative to start the first student-led photography magazine at the university, Penta Prism to showcase students’ work and the story behind how it all began. 📖

I still feel proud of this achievement to this day as seeing hundreds of students work on this magazine, over the 10 years since its inception is something I couldn’t have foreseen when I had the idea of making a magazine when I was 20. I remember just being so passionate about magazines, photography, entrepreneurship (which I didn’t realise I had the knack for back then!) and celebrating people & their art. 📸

During my presentation I wanted to engage with the students, so asked these 2 questions:

1️⃣ Where do you want to be in 2 years time?

What would be your dream job or lifestyle?

2️⃣ Why did you choose to study photography?

What is it about photography you’re passionate about?

It was interesting hearing such a wide variety of answers from sport, car, family, travel and wedding photography. I remember saying to the students it’s okay to think big so you can work towards making your dreams & goals come true as it’s in the journey where the magic, growth and creativity happen.

I continued my talk by sharing my journey from graduating to building my wedding photography brand, Nisha Haq Photography 8 years ago, and then launching my business photography brand, Iggy & Lime, during lockdown and how personal branding has been a key component in building multiple businesses over the years.

Thank you for a brilliant day at Solent University, I certainly wouldn’t be where I am today without my start there. Particularly grateful for receiving my first start-up investment from their entrepreneurship funding initiative back in 2014 and then being one of the youngest recipients at Solent University to receive an honorary degree in 2018 for my services to photography and the Institution. Proud to be an alumni, and local business and support the student, business & creative community. 💚

If you’re looking for a guest speaker for your organisation, podcast, business community/networking group, here are a few subject areas I can confidently share experiences:

Entrepreneurship stories / resilience
Building a small / creative business
Power of personal branding / networking
From graduate to multiple business owner
Young woman in business / standing out in the crowd
Becoming a freelance photographer

📸

hello@iggyandlime.co.uk

07712604577

Guest Speaking to Photography Students at Solent University 2024

Related Posts

Leave a Reply Cancel reply