Graduate Profiles

Grace Petrie (GRADUATED 2021)

Before beginning my diploma, I knew I had a passion for photography but had no real idea of the path I wanted to pursue. Studying at RMIT provided me with opportunities to explore many different avenues and improve my technical skills. The course helped me learn to fine-tune my image treatment, as well as my thought process when looking into a lens. It was upon completing the course that I found my calling in family and lifestyle photography. I now have a successful business in this field, with a growing clientele. My work has allowed me to voice my appreciation for women’s femininity and their unique bond with their loved ones.

Alongside my personal work, I have had the opportunity to work with several wedding and lifestyle companies, both shooting and assisting. Working with Minihaha, Travelshoot and other solo photography businesses has provided me with an incredible connection to other creatives. It is through the extraordinary network that RMIT provides that I was able to meet and continue to work alongside like-minded peers within the industry.

INSTAGRAM.COM/ GRACEPETRIE.PHOTOGRAPHY GRACEPETRIEPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Matthew Thomas

(GRADUATED 2018)

Towards the end of his first year studying photo imaging, Matthew discovered an interest in the moving image (films, movies and commercials). He changed up his work and began to see how everything he had learnt as a photography student would overlap into the world of motion. After graduating from the Diploma of Photography and Photo Imaging, Matthew picked up a job at Blue Tree Studios in Port Melbourne. He worked at there for one year as a full-time video and photo editor, all while working on his first short film. Matthew gathered a team of over 15 people and raised a handsome budget to attempt the creation. The film ended up at many independent film festivals around the globe.

Matthew decided it would make sense to move to Los Angeles with the savings he had made from Blue Tree, and see what the world of Hollywood was all about. He got to see a great new scale of industry and had the opportunity to work with some students from the American Film Institute. After COVID entered everyone’s lives and this brought Matthew home he got a job as Head of Production for a marketing agency.

After a year of working for the agency, Matthew made the decision to finally move to freelancing full time. It was a scary move, but one that would bring him much happiness. Matthew has now been freelancing for just under two years. He has worked with brands such as Adidas, Porsche, Asics and Lululemon, to just name a few.

Matthew loves life as a freelancer and enjoys the challenges it presents. He is working towards being a part of larger-scale commercials and film sets, while still taking photos for the love of the craft. He hopes to begin planning for a new short film in 2023. The RMIT photography studio was Matthew’s safe place and he is grateful for the opportunity RMIT offered him.

MATT@METMEDIA.CO