CLASS OF 2024: Photography students picture a bright future

Two Photography degree students are picturing a brighter future after securing First Class honours degrees at the University of Wolverhampton.

Chandni Raithatha, 21 from London, and Nichola Hanson-Jones, 56 from Dudley, studied for the degree courses at the University’s School of Creative Industries.

Nichola has a therapeutic background and decided to take a free Photography course at Dudley College. Teaching staff nudged her to apply for a degree course and, despite having a spinal injury, fibromyalgia and arthritis in her spine and neck as a result of an abusive relationship, she made the decision to move her education forward.

She said: “I had always been interested in images, and after my course at Dudley College, I realised I wanted to move my education on a stage further. I was quite anxious at first, not having studied for a while, but I had no problems fitting in.

“Studying for this course has opened so many doors for me and given me so many opportunities and I would never have believed that I could achieve so much. I’ve taken a picture for the cover of the Black Country Chamber’s Prosper magazine, worked with WLV Sports to take pictures of their students and their teams, won competitions and exhibited my work in Digbeth, in Birmingham City Centre.

“My driving force has been to raise awareness for visually impaired and disabled photographers and this is at the heart of what drives my creativity.”

Nichola will spend some time volunteering at Dudley College to gain a Level 4 teaching qualification before returning to the University to study for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education to move into teaching. “I feel like I’ve come full circle,” she added. “I’m so glad I’ve been able to do it.”

Chandni’s main reason for choosing the Photography course at the University was the Black Arts Movement when Blk Art Group and British Black Arts Movement artists claimed visibility and space following the Black Art Convention which was held at the School of Art in 1982. 

She said: “I wanted to study here because I knew Wolverhampton had been at the heart of the Black Arts Movement and my passion is bringing awareness and understanding to black and Asian women working in the creative world.

“My work, which is a mixture of photography and fine art, is primarily about black culture and showing unseen people in society and focusing on how black and Asian artists make an impact in society.

“I absolutely loved the course, and especially the teachers. I have made friends for life here and know that they will always be there for me, not just professionally, but also personally. The live briefs on this course really gave me the confidence to go out into the world and create.”

Chandni now has her own studio in London, and she is working alongside a charity group, creating workshops for children. She also works in a photography store and will be studying for a Master’s degree in London.

Graduates are encouraged to keep in touch with the Alumni team and take advantage of a range of benefits and support on offer to them including a discount for Postgraduate study and opportunities to benefit from volunteering and career advice.     

Find out more about School of Creative Industries courses on the website or visit one of our Open Days for more information about studying at the University.    

To find out more about graduate success, check out the Every Story Has a Start web page which showcases our exceptional alumni across the globe doing incredible things. High achievers from the worlds of literature, business, sport, film and the arts feature, sharing how their lives and careers have developed since their days studying with us.