PHOTOGRAPHY: UAL LEVEL 3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA IN CREATIVE PRACTICE

Tobie is the subject leader for the Extended Diploma in Photography at Arts University Plymouth. His photographic journey began in the mid-1990s shooting black and white film on a 35mm camera, before becoming fascinated with darkroom processing. After earning a BA (Hons) degree in Photomedia and Design Communication, Tobie established himself as an independent photographer, specialising in the use of classic kit, including the iconic Hasselblad film camera. Following a year teaching English in Taiwan, Tobie gained vital experience working in-house for marketing departments and assisting commercial photographers in London. With the digital revolution on the horizon, Tobie decided to turn his attention back to teaching, enrolling on a post-16 teacher training course at the University of Plymouth in 2003. Alongside developing his digital technology skills, Tobie successfully completed his PGCE placement at Arts University Plymouth - where he continues to share his passion for photography with students to this day. As subject leader, Tobie’s primary objective is to support the needs of his learners through a dynamic course that encourages creativity and professionalism, at the same time as taking students on a journey that is both fun and self-fulfilling. Year-on-year most learners achieve above the national average in their final grades, with the majority progressing onto their first choice in higher education. His considerable teaching experience has now seen him working in secondary, TEFL and both further and higher education. In 2009 he was part of a small team that wrote and validated a BA (Hons) degree in water-based image-making. This led onto many years of teaching water-based photography, where he was able to incorporate his love of the ocean and watersports into the classroom. He has personally trained and mentored many trainee lecturers over the past 10 years and since 2016 has been an external moderator for the University of the Arts London. Tobie continues to practice as a commercial freelance photographer and regularly pursues his passion for landscape photography, where he can often be seen wandering the Devon and Cornwall coastlines in search of great images. See Tobie's online portfolio on his website.

Corrie started her career in education in the early 2000s teaching digital, darkroom and studio photography techniques, whilst completing her teacher training at Plymouth University. Her teaching experience ranges from Art & Design through to Photography and she is always identifying opportunities to help students explore alternative methods. She has enjoyed a range of teaching experience with students at levels 1, 2 and 3, giving her broad exposure to student needs. Corrie completed a Masters Degree in Entrepreneurship for Creative Practice in 2012, linking her 20-year career as a wedding and portrait photographer to academic practice and supporting students with business and career projects. With a broad experience of working across a variety of art courses and with a diverse range of students, alongside her own commercial practice, Corrie has a wealth of experience to offer. Through live project briefs and workshops, she encourages students to embrace community and culture to build confidence. Corrie is involved in the annual Pre-Degree ‘Design to Sell’ showcase, enabling students to develop entrepreneurial skills and a deeper understanding of their creative practice in a professional environment.

It is Laura’s passion for photography that has led her to teach. She has always found great privilege in teaching, to be able to share and inspire others and enabling students to connect with themselves, the environment around them, and the individual talents they can bring to the world. Laura has a wide-ranging experience of working in education and learning settings including teaching on Further Education, Adult Learning courses, Gallery education as well as running Creative Arts Projects that have a community led approach. Supporting, and promoting the work of new photographers and students has been a constant throughout her career.She currently divides her time between teaching at Art University Plymouth, creating her own work and facilitating peer-led workshops in the community working with art collectives in London, Brighton and Bristol. Her own work as an artist is often derived from collaborative and often therapeutic working, opening space for conversation, to learn and understand more about ourselves, others, and our environment.Laura has received a degree in Photography from Falmouth College of Arts and has a Masters in Community and Participatory Arts from Goldsmiths University. Her work has led her to work with organisations such as PhotoVoice, Modern Art Oxford and the Turbine Gallery at The Tate. She has worked on projects internationally in Ecuador, Mexico, India and France and has had work presented through The Barbican and Amnesty.