3 minute read
PL7 Photography Studio
PL7 Studios
Professional Qualified Photography Studio
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Hannah Cochrane is 41, A creative entrepreneur, Commercial photographer and mum of two teenagers living in Devon.
Hannah is also dyslexic and having struggled through school, leaving with not many GCSE’S, She is very hard working and worked her way up through the ranks in the hospitality industry to management at the age of 19.
In 2013 with her youngest starting school and as a single mum with two young children, she decided she wanted to change career, do something that would work around her children and do something to show them and other that no matter where you are in life or how difficult you may find things, when you put your mind to something you can achieve goals you never thought possible. Hannah enrolled on an access course at the Plymouth College of Art (now the Art University Plymouth) Hannah had always been creative and loved taking photos on a digital camera, The access course would enable her to progress to the commercial photography degree.
The access course covered several different art disciplines and opened up opportunities to explore a range of different creative projects throughout the course. Hannah geared each project and course work she undertook towards photography. While completing the access course Hannah also went to Bodmin, Cornwall once a week to complete a separate photography course to learn all the basics about photography and a DSLR camera, having a one to one 3 hour lesson each week. This was so she felt up to a level that she could undertake the photography degree.
Hannah said ‘The thought of going back to education as a mature student after all the struggles I’d had through school was daunting, gaining a degree was something I had never considered before, and although I knew it would be challenging I wanted to prove to myself as well as my children that it was possible to succeed no matter what challenges they may face’.
Photo by Lucy Jones Photography Photo by PL7 Studios
Photos by PL7 Studios
In 2014 Hannah started a 3 year commercial photography degree, engaging with all elements of the course, learning about all types of photography, being able to have hands-on experience with lighting, studio work and gaining confidence in presenting work. Hannah continued to grow her skills throughout the course and amazingly finished with a first class degree in photography.
Hannah then enrolled on a masters degree course in entrepreneurship for creative practice and used this degree to develop and grow her business as a commercial photographer and photography teacher. During the two years of the course Hannah launched and opened a photography studio and social enterprise Community Photographic Studios.
Opening up regularly weekly sessions to the local community, over 50’s and veterans, creating creative and engaging workshops and courses, working with local charities and running school holiday children’s clubs. During this time Hannah also worked with several local businesses creating marketing and social media content, Photographing families and building a photography brand. PL7 Studios.
Hannah has worked extremely hard over the past 9 years to achieve so much, and her child has been on the journey with her every step of the way. Being dyslexic hasn’t held her back and the message she is wanting to share is that if you have a passion or dream to have a career in an industry don’t let anything hold you back.
Hannah said ‘I love what I do now, Everyday is different, meeting new people every day, getting to photograph them in their business and capture and showcase their products, and helping them to rebrand, and stand out, and put my own creative style to their brand. I also love inspiring people, teaching them how to take better images and watching them grow in their own photography journeys‘.
