Rankin

Through networking at Success Photography, I discovered that Andrew Harrold is now the General Manager at Rankin. I met and worked with Andy during the last 4 years I have worked for Success during the summer at various events throughout the UK.

I recognised the opportunity to find out more about the Rankin business and get some information about how things operate from Andy. I was also hoping that there might be a chance to gain some work experience if possible.

Andy was extremely helpful and he told me about the Internships that Rankin operates. They are only two weeks long as so many students and graduates apply to gain work experience with Rankin. With Andy's help I have been able to gain one of these places and have managed to secure a 2 week internship in November.

Here is the email I received from Andy explaining what I can expect from the internship...

"Once you confirm I’ll get Andrew, Rankin’s 1st assistant, to send you over the details of what you can expect to do and timing etc. To give you a heads up it’s not all glamorous for the interns they do a lot of running around getting stuff for shoots or coffees etc. You might also do some admin tasks related to the studio. On the other hand you should get to see Rankin shooting and hopefully get involved in the shoots. Often it comes down to how enthusiastic the intern is to how much they get out of the experience – if the person is positive then the assistants and Rankin will tend to be much more interactive and ask you to get involved more with the shoots (you’ll be fine by the way). If he has time Rankin will go through your portfolio with you at the end of the two weeks and give you some advice. Speak to you soon, Andy -- Andy Harrold General Manager Rankin Photography 112-116 Old Street London EC1V 9BG"

I am now waiting to hear from Andrew, Rankin's 1st assistant (he has a hierarchy of 6!) about what i am expected to do regarding times and location etc.
I am so excited about this opportunity and realise that it's a really great chance to see and experience one of the UK's leading photographer's in action and to be a part of the organisation that Rankin has established.

I'm also hoping that as well as the studio experience I'm able to gain some exposure to Rankin's Digital Post Production team as it is all in house now as is the printing.

Most people will be familiar with his work, perhaps without even realizing it. Many of the images have been used in advertising, fashion and beauty magazines, bill boards and TV - he's very prolific!! He also co-founded Dazed and Confused and still owns the publication business which publishes Dazed and Confused, Another Mag and Rank.

Rankin has also moved in film and works with Chris Cottam. They have produced TV commercials as well as Nelly Futardo's recent music video for "Say it Right" featuring Timbaland. Rankin has also released his first feature film 'The Lives of the Saints'.

Link to Rankin's site http://rankin.co.uk

Work Experience

http://www.ianlewisphotography.co.uk

1. 2004 - 2007 - Schools and family portraits business - Franchise business
2. 2006 - Present - Studio business, commercial photography, weddings, portraits, portfolios


I have assisted my Father in his business since 2004 when he was involved with a schools photography franchise. I initially helped with setting up mobile studios and checking lighting and exposure levels. I also tethered the cameras to laptops and did test images for him.

He also operated Family Portrait Days in schools at the weekend so I was involved with showing families their images and helping them select, order and pay for prints, frames and canvas portraits.

In December 2005 my Father opened a studio business of his own and in March 2007 he left the franchise to concentrate on developing his own brand and the studio business. I have been able to gain experience with working for him whenever possible and especially in his busy periods.

I also get to use the studio if I need it to set up my own work. I have used the studio on several occasions this year whilst in my first year at Leeds College of Art & Design. This has been a great help in expanding my studio experience and am not time limited if I am able to give him notice of when I need to use it. For example, for my last studio module shoot I booked it out for a whole day and was not limited to time constraints allowing me to experiment with my lighting more than I perhaps could have if using the college studio because of time pressures and other people booking it out.

I have been able to assist him on various shoots both in the studio and out on location. As he also does commercial photography work I have been able to assist on product shots, industrial work and working with models.

My interest in photographing people really started with this early experience with my Dad's business and I have developed an interest in fashion and beauty photography this year through researching major photographers in this sector of photography. This has been both a learning experience and one of finding a area of photography that I want to develop and explore further.

This has led me to seek further work experience within this area and my desire to gain the internship at Rankin (see my post on this specifically) to help me in making considered decisions about the route I would like to pursue with my career.

Work Experience

www.successphotography.com

Success Photography were the first Graduation Photography Company to launch a fully digital on the day proofing photography service in the world. They won the Orange Business Innovation of the Year Award in 2003 for this development as it was seen as extremely innovative at the time. Other companies have now followed their lead.

I have been working for Success Photography at graduations for 4 years now.

The official job description of the role I perform is shown below...

ROLE: PHOTOGRAPHER’S ASSISTANT JOB DESCRIPTION

Working at the graduation with a photographer, your role is to show the graduate customers and their families their photographs as they come through digitally from the camera onto a laptop.

Responsibilities:

• Assist the photographer in setting up and packing down their equipment.

• Ensure the customers have paid and have collected their mounts and frames before having their photographs taken.

• Ensure the photographer is taking clean and well positioned photographs.

• Assist the customers in choosing their photos from the laptops.

• Sell and take payment for extra packs sold at the studio.

• Direct the customers where to go politely and accurately after they have finished at the studio.

• Help to set up and pack down the Success Photography equipment.

• Assist in the training of new staff when required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION
Smart, friendly, well presented and outgoing individuals required. Competent at using computers. Experience in a customer service environment is desirable but not essential, as is an interest in photography.


I have been given the role of being one of Success' Super PA's because of my experience and success as a PA - means I get a bit more money!

This role has given me experience in the business side of a commercial photography organisation.

My experience includes customer service, sales and marketing and administration. I have also stepped in when required to run a small event in Nottingham. As well as the business experience I have also gained more photographic experience in working alongside various photographers from all over the UK.
Roaming Photographer - I have also been offered the opportunity to take on the role of Roaming Photographer at a couple of events in the summer. This would involve me walking amongst the graduates as they mingle with their families outside.

Networking

I have been able to set up a network of contacts from working with Success with photographers from all over the country.

Daniel Oliver - Director of Photography at Success
Staff Photographers at Success: Claudia, Fiona Hankinson (now at Venture)
Freelancers - Trevor Graham (Glasgow), Alan Bryant (Glasgow), Roger Clark (Cumnock), Colin Sanders (Northampton), Borre Wickstrom (Lincoln)

SWPP

http://www.swpp.co.uk




The Fastest Growing Worldwide Association for Professional Photographers.

The SWPP & BPPA currently represents photographers who specialize in the following areas of expertise: Freelance, Photojournalists, Weddings, Portraits, Children, Animal, Equestrian, Digital, Commercial, Fashion & Glamour, Landscape, Nature, Sport, Medical, Scientific, Press, PR, Architectural, Industrial, Forensic, Natural History, Research, Lecturers, Digital imaging technicians, The Professional Imagemaker is the magazine of the Society of Wedding & Portrait Photographers and The British Professional Photographers Associates.

I became a member of SWPP after achieving a grade A at A-level Photography, which also qualified me as a Licentiate of the BPPA so I officially have the first grade of professional qualification and am entitled to put LBPPA after my name should I so wish.

The licentiateship is described as follows:

"The primary level of 'Licentiate' is benchmarked to inspire customer confidence in the ability and quality of work expected of a 'Professional Photographer' operating in the UK market. Without the benefit of such benchmarking we are unable to promote with confidence or with validity and integrity, an average standard of professional imaging."

The motivation to do this was to be a part of a professional body representing the views, businesses and professional development of professional photographers in the UK and worldwide. The ethos is summarised as follows:

"If you are a newcomer to the industry or considering a career change then we offer the most comprehensive range of educational seminars by cutting edge speakers in the UK and Europe. The profile of our membership contains many individuals who have enjoyed active careers in many of the traditional 'professions' and to whom 'professionalism' is second nature. We are dedicated to providing quality training and mentoring to all who ask and want to progress in Professional Photography without prejudice or discrimination. If you are already in practice and want to gain that all important edge over your competitors, then we can help you too. And what is more, your qualifications will be accredited in respect of your past achievements."

The SWPP runs a Mentor Me programme which any member can become involved in. The idea behind this is that you submit a number of images which are assessed by the programme's leader Martin Graham-Dunne. Feedback is specific and designed to help you develop both personally and professionally. Although I have not participated in this programme as yet I see it as an invaluable option should I wish to gain more experience within the commercial world of professional photography.