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.