As a BA (Hons) Multimedia Sports Journalism student, George Tewkesbury is an aspiring photographer with an impressive portfolio of work. From the Nike Store in Oxford Circus to Alistair Brownlee’s Instagram, the UCFB Wembley student has been collaborating with some of the biggest names in the industry. Here, he shares some of his career highlights and tells us about his time at UCFB so far…
What have been some of the highlights of your photography career so far?
The first key highlight of my photography career has to be the first photo that blew me away that I took in New York in 2017. This photo was at the 9/11 memorial where one of the Twin Towers once stood. The picture had a white rose on one of the names with the One World Trade Centre and other buildings in the background.
The next major highlight for me was working with England and Arsenal legend Ian Wright, who I worked with at the start of 2019. This was a year of progression for me, which continued when I joined UCFB and had the opportunity to shoot at an NFL media day. This allowed me to get up close and personal with the players and talk to broadcasters and other members of the media.
At the start of 2020, I was given an opportunity by Nike London to shoot photos for a London Marathon project. Unfortunately, this was cancelled due to the beginning of the pandemic, but I continued to work hard during the lockdown. When the lockdown was lifted in the summer, I was then given the opportunity to create content for the Nike running app and the Nike Store in Oxford Circus, London. Runner’s World Magazine then approached me to shoot photos for their articles; I took the opportunity and was published in early February 2021.
What was it like working with some of the biggest brands in the world, including Nike?
It was an incredible feeling, and sometimes I still don't believe the brands as well as the people I've worked with at this point in my career. To walk into a store or load up an app on my phone and see photos I've taken is mind-blowing, and sometimes I do question how I've managed to get here!
How has your BA (Hons) Multimedia Sports Journalism degree helped improve your photography?
The programme has helped me by improving my understanding of media law and learning how newspapers structure their content around specific events. The things we learn aren’t the only great part of it. It’s also the world-class lecturers we have that can help us during our time here, not only with our work but also with anything we might be working on outside of our lectures.
How has your time at UCFB been so far?
I've been at UCFB for nearly two years. I did a foundation year before heading into my first year. The foundation year set me up for what I would be doing in my next few years at UCFB, gaining a better understanding of academic writing and learning the basics of journalism before heading into my first year. Even when I was in my foundation year, I took every opportunity possible to extend my learning. These opportunities included attending the NFL media day.
What advice can you offer to any prospective students looking to study at UCFB?
The advice I would give is to be organised and make sure you choose the right programme which will help advance your career. You don't want to be studying something that you have no interest in.
And lastly, what is, in your opinion, the best photograph you've ever taken?
My best photo has got to be the shot of Alistair Brownlee at Ironman Ireland 2019. The reason is that Alistair was a massive icon to me as I was growing up, and being able to see this photo on his Instagram, as well as being able to meet and chat with him in person, was amazing.
