Agora Photography awarded national commission to document female veterans across the UK

<p>The commission will see <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-photography">BA (Hons) Photography</a> graduates Lucy and Ian travel to five UK cities to create a new portrait series showcasing female veterans. These images will form part of a national toolkit designed to increase visibility and awareness of available resources and services, based on findings from extensive consultation with more than 800 female veterans.</p>

<p>The partnership reflects the lived and professional experiences of both photographers. Lucy, a sports and event photographer, is a passionate advocate for women's representation and empowerment. Ian served in the Royal Navy for two decades before retraining in photography following a cancer diagnosis.</p>

<p dir="ltr">"As a woman working in sport and community photography, it's an honour to document female veterans who are so often overlooked," says Lucy. "This is about respect, visibility and creating space for connection."</p> <p dir="ltr">"This project brings together everything we care about," says Ian. "It's personal for both of us, and we're proud to be trusted with these stories."</p> <p dir="ltr">Agora Photography’s ethos is grounded in authenticity, respect and collaboration. Their portraits are designed to spark conversation, not categorise people. Working with a medium format film camera and minimal kit, Lucy and Ian build trust with each sitter to capture quiet, powerful images.<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">The portrait series will support a new national toolkit aimed at transforming service provision for female veterans across the UK. The Female Veterans Transformation Programme has already released its ‘What Good Looks Like’ checklist, highlighting key areas such as recognition, diversity, communication, and person-centred support.</p> <p dir="ltr">The checklist and supporting materials draw from research across all sectors of the UK veterans’ landscape and respond directly to female veterans' lived experiences. The programme’s goal is to ensure women ‘see themselves’ in the services available to them, visually, culturally and practically.<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Agora Photography launched in 2024 as a new South West-based business. The name is inspired by the ancient Greek term for a public meeting place, reflecting the founders’ belief that photography can create space for connection.</p> <p dir="ltr">Lucy’s portfolio includes work with Plymouth Argyle Women’s FC and community events across the region. Ian’s recent work, originally developed through Arts University Plymouth’s BA (Hons) Photography degree, focuses on WIS (Wounded, Injured &amp; Sick) veterans and challenges stereotypes about injury and recovery.</p> <p dir="ltr">Together, they’ve documented everything from military mess dinners to charity galas and regional awards ceremonies.<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Both Lucy and Ian graduated this summer from their <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-photography">BA (Hons) Photography degree</a> at Arts University Plymouth. Ian joined the university through the Extended BA route, a four-year option for those returning to education or exploring a creative career for the first time.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Arts University Plymouth gave me space to think, grow and change direction," says Ian. "The staff understood where I was coming from, and gave me the tools to shape a new career."</p> <p dir="ltr">Arts University Plymouth is consistently recognised among the best in the country. In 2025 the university was named University of the Year for South West England at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards, and ranked as the top-scoring specialist arts university in the UK in the National Student Survey for the fourth year running (2022–2025). The university is also ranked #2 in the UK for Teaching Excellence (Daily Mail University Guide 2025), #2 in the UK for Facilities (Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024), and #4 in the UK for Student Support (Daily Mail University Guide 2025).</p> <p dir="ltr">These national accolades, voted for by students and confirmed by independent rankings, reflect the supportive, creative community that helped Lucy and Ian shape their new careers.<br /></p>