Jack Johnson – Level 3 Photography

Name: Jack Johnson - Level 3 Photography

Course Name: Level 3 Photography

Course Type: Full Time

Image Caption: NWSLC student Jack Johnson Level 3 Photography
A photography qualification was the perfect springboard for former student Jack Johnson who has found success as a retail product photographer working with household names including Selfridges and Next.

It was only when Jack came to college, studying at its Hinckley Campus, that he found a subject he loved for the first time. After completing the Level 3 diploma, Jack went on to achieve a degree in fine art photography at the University of Derby during where he was awarded the prestigious Format Graduate Award for his degree show. Jack secured his big break in the industry starting work as an assistant with international product photographers Packshot. Based in Birmingham, Jack was given the opportunity to work on the Selfridges contract, helping to organise and set up product shots for its website and promotional materials.

Jack said, “After I graduated, it took some time before I secured a job in the industry. I succeeded when I showed that I was willing to start on a lower rung of the ladder as an assistant with the aim of working my way up to a photographer role. In fact, I gained a lot of experience working for Packshot because I was responsible for the logistics and efficiency of photoshoots and learnt how to protect the products as many of them were high value. If you’re photographing a handbag that costs £4,000, the slightest scratch will mean it can’t be sold. Working on the Selfridges contract was always interesting, and we got to see some incredible products up close including a life size animatronic unicorn!”
Jack was eventually rewarded for his hard work and started work as a photographer with Packshot. He was responsible for creating images of luxury goods from handbags and shoes to ties and jewellery.

Jack said, “Every product shot had to meet the consistency guidelines for the brand and so I was responsible for setting up the lighting, adjusting PC settings and quality control. I worked with a stylist who positioned and arranged the products to display them to their best advantage and together, we photographed around 50 individual items every day. I enjoyed photographing ties the best because there were so many interesting ways of presenting them.”

During his time working for Packshot, he was seconded to work in Dublin supporting the team working on high end Ireland-based retailer Brown Thomas.
Eager for promotion, Jack was successful in an interview earlier this year for high street retailer Next and was due to take up his position at their Leicester headquarters the day after the coronavirus lockdown was announced. Currently furloughed, Jack will have to wait a little longer before he takes up his new position.
He said, “I am really excited about starting my job at Next where I will be responsible for fashion product photography. I am hoping to be able to work with models too in this new role which will bring a new dimension to my skills.

“I have been lucky with the opportunities I have had since I graduated but I firmly believe that success comes down to hard work and being prepared to work your way up. I am grateful for my time at the college and the support of my tutors who certainly provided me with a great foundation to start my career.”