About me
My name is Eleanor Jenkins, I am a third-year BA (Hons) Photography student at the University of Plymouth. My photographic practice is based around capturing the sublime essence of a place. Whilst a lot of my work is also based around the social documentary, I find myself repeatedly drawn back to observational photography. Shooting first and thinking later has allowed me to explore and understand my mental health through imagery. I make the majority of my work using medium format film as the process allows me to slow down and consider the scenes in front of me; the slowed tempo of this methodology is also an extremely meditative and therapeutic process for me.
I am a soon to be a graduate of Plymouth University BA (Hons) course on photography. My work also surrounds a social documentary style which I would like to incorporate in a more editorial field. I often work in medium format film but I also have a good understanding of digital practices. I am confident, eager to learn, punctual and proactive in the photographic field. I often work around both sensitive and personal subjects with a high level of professionalism.
Work history
Student AmbassadorUniversity of Plymouth
Plymouth, United KingdomPart Time
When working as both as a student ambassador and a fire marshal ambassador at university. This has allowed me an extra level of responsibility and a hands-on part of the recruitment process for my photographic course specifically. This role has allowed me to demonstrate my positive and charismatic nature alongside being welcoming and encouraging towards possible new students. Having worked in both a physical and virtual sense doing my own presentation of my experience of university alongside answering questions and queries about a wide range of university learning and lifestyle. I have also had a hands-on part in the interviewing process looking over portfolios and providing both encouragement and suggestions without being critical of these younger hopeful photographers. I really think this experience has allowed me to shine and has demonstrated strong marketing and sales skills as well as initiative ways of providing important information and persuading individuals to consider Plymouth University.
Within the fire marshal role, this including working a late-night shift within the University's Scott building. Allowing later access to students, I was there to ensure social distancing, correct use of equipment, access to any health and safety risks and finally keeping the facilities as COVID safe as possible. This added responsibility demonstrated my leadership skills, trustworthiness and ability to learn and apply if necessary, my fire marshal and health and safety training.
Both these experiences have demonstrated to me my strong suits as an employee alongside allowed my lectures and technicians to rely and trust in me. I definitely think I have truly flourished in these roles improving multiple skill areas.
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Studio assitantPhotographic Synergy
London Colney, St Albans, United KingdomPart Time
In year 10 we were assigned a week of work experience. I decided I wanted to work at a photographic company. Photographic synergy is a small business run by Matt Fisher. There motto: ‘Family photographers in St Albans! However, most clients would describe us as children’s entertainers or a slightly off the wall children’s photographer who ignores the advice of never working with children or animals! We work with both and love it!’ I was lucky enough to experience all the different sides of the business. With a natural comfortability with children helping on family photoshoots whether inside the study getting the attention of the children or holding reflectors in outdoor photoshoots this gave me experience in different environments and professionalism.
I think from a business mindset I also saw the relationships they had with framers and although they printed small images themselves the canvas prints were done through a separate company. The continues little details and branding made the overall experience of photoshoots and viewing prints seem elite. Even doing home visits to deliver images / discuss previous shoots. This was when I was first thrown into the realm of Photoshop and editing. Although this was geared towards smoothing over imperfections or brightening the eyes it also showed me the art of collage. Events teams were another aspect of the company as well as sports photograph. The events wanted imagery in many different forms whether this was weddings or bar mitzvahs I was lucky enough to craft some of these collages enabling experimental platforms within the workplace that would carry skills through for my undergraduate. I was also able to take headshots for David Leoyld a gym they partnered with they showed promotional events in their lobby's while shooting all headshots and website images for them. Overall this demonstrated clearly to me that you needed a range of platforms in order to make it through and afford to have correct branding/ the team capable of working these areas.
It also involved so much office work and timetabling that we don’t really think about as photographers, as well as cold calling and setting up/ persuading people for photoshoots. Alongside competitions, whether this was cutest baby or cutest pet, his brought in all different income family's to free shoots. And then bringing them back and they could buy the image only if they wanted on the basis they would fall in love with the images and the experience. And then would come back with family's, friends etc and spread the word. But as workers we were briefed on looking for middle-class family's that could afford the prices, we were selling not necessarily turning people away but looking for a particular ‘ kind’ of the family that fit. This was looking into a market that could afford the images for bigger prices and framing which is where they made their studio money. Overall a consciously flexible company that spread across a range of platforms this really taught me the importance of a range of skills and core marketing and planning in order to keep all individual clients as important as the last.
Individualism within this profession is important. It made me feel like I had a place within this industry if only for a short time it extended to a job for under a year but then I found it difficult to balance with schoolwork and other extra curriculum activities. But I a very grateful for the experience and have learnt a lot from the experience and skills I will take into my future carer.
Education
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A LevelBeaumont School
St Albans, United Kingdom
I have 3 A levels in Photography, Art and P.E. I was an involved student within my school years here involved in many open days, student tours, sports clubs/coaching including rugby, cricket and athletics. I went on to be head of my house throughout sixth form organising charity events and getting others involved in school activities. As well as representing the views and opinions of many.
BA(Hons) PhotographyUniversity of Plymouth
- Plymouth, United Kingdom
I am currently within the last year of my degree. I am an extremely involved and proactive student. As well as having multiple student ambassador roles and great relationships with my lectures
Awards
Student of the YearUniversity of Plymouth
Student of the YearUniversity of Plymouth