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Ian's winning college photograph

Ian's feet barely touch the ground these days. Partly because he's so busy with his career but mostly because his career听 includes being a skydiving instructor.

When he left school he began to pursue a career with Post Office Telecoms and became a qualified technician. But it wasn't long before he decided to do something more exciting and one lunch-time he visited the army recruitment office in Hull and joined up. Because of his technical expertise he was encouraged to join the Royal Signals but he had other ideas and stuck to his desired aim of joining the Royal Engineers.

His army career has taken him all over the world, which began with mine-sweeping duties in the Falklands just after the conflict with Argentina in the early 1980's was over. It was during this time听 he started taking photographs of people and the local wildlife. Throughout his army career he spent time in Europe, the United States and a great deal of time in Norway attached to the commandoes involved in training for working in Arctic conditions.

He's been taking photographs for years and it was whilst he was in the United States听 with the US Marine Corps, he received a call to attend a ceremony for an army photography competition he'd entered. He swept the board at the awards, beating the professional army photographers.

His interests have pushed him in the direction of professional photography which is why he took a full-time course in photo journalism at the Norton College in Sheffield. Despite being 20 years senior to his fellow students who were already engaged in full-time photography jobs, he entered a competition with a photo he'd taken during an operational tour with the Territorial Army out in Afghanistan, a competition he was destined to win.

Ian is now a professional skydiving instructor. He qualified as an instructor when he was a听 member of the Royal Engineers parachuting team. He's left the full-time army now but is still a member of the Territorial Army. During his dives, he takes still and video images. Additionally he and his wife run a skydiving clothing company making bespoke clothing to fit individuals.

He also runs a photography business and he's been doing all this at the same time as completing a photo-journalism course at Norton College in Sheffield. A considerable commute from his East Yorkshire home which he admits was a struggle at times.

His efforts have been rewarded. He came top in the national Press Gazette Student Photographer of the Year (2008) competition and here he's receiving his award from Joanne Butcher, the Chief Executive of the NCTJ and Paul Delmar, Lecturer in Photojournalism at Norton College.

Ian would like to pursue a full-time career in photo-journalism and is being supported by the Hull Daily Mail in his endeavours. He says competition for jobs is tough but would love to see his work in the Sunday supplements.