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Jay Hayden

At University Centre South Essex, we support creative individuals in turning their passion into a professional career. Through access to industry-standard facilities, expert teaching and a supportive environment, our courses are designed to help you develop your skills, build confidence and find your own creative voice. Jay’s story shows how committing to your passion and making the most of every opportunity can lead to an exciting and successful career.

My name is Jay Hayden, and I studied BA (Hons) Photography at University Centre South Essex. I am now working as a freelance photographer. This is my story.

I chose to study at UCSE because of how accessible it was and how welcoming the environment felt. Compared to other universities I visited, the campus felt more supportive and personal. The staff made it feel like a place where I could really grow, and that made a huge difference when making my decision.

I studied at the Luker Road Campus in Southend-on-Sea, completing my degree in Photography. Photography had been a passion of mine for a few years, but before university I didn’t have access to professional equipment or facilities like studios, darkrooms or print spaces. I knew that if I wanted to take it seriously, I needed to push myself and fully commit to developing my skills.

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During the course, having access to industry-standard equipment changed everything for me. Working in a studio environment was completely new at first, but over time I built my confidence and became comfortable working professionally. That experience has also helped me secure studio-based work outside of university.

Since graduating, I’ve had the chance to work on a wide range of exciting projects. My work has been exhibited in galleries and art spaces, and I’ve sold prints through my Etsy shop. I’ve also photographed many different types of events, including dance shows, weddings, parties and pet photography sessions. One of my proudest achievements has been being awarded Photographer of the Year.

The course prepared me for freelance work in so many ways. Not only did it develop my technical skills, but it also helped me build confidence in communicating with clients and promoting myself professionally. Those skills are just as important as photography itself when you’re working for yourself.

One of my favourite memories from my time at university was the brief delivery days. These sessions introduced new projects and different artists and photographers, which really inspired me and helped shape my creative style. Over time, I was able to develop my own niche and create work that felt personal to me, which I’m really proud of.

What I value most about my time in education is the range of skills I gained. I learned techniques I would never have experienced otherwise, such as processing and scanning my own film, which has added another layer to my work.

Looking ahead, my goal is to continue growing my freelance business and become my own boss full-time. I want to combine creative personal projects with client work and, in the future, I would love to become a photography tutor to help others develop their skills and confidence.

If Jay’s story has inspired you to follow your creative passion, our Photography and creative arts courses are designed to give you the tools, experience and confidence to succeed. Take your first step and explore how you could turn your passion into a career at University Centre South Essex.