AOP at E1 Studios
Talks & Folio Reviews for Photography Course students & graduates.
© Ruben Davies, our 2025 Discovery Award winner for his Fashion and Beauty category entry: Liturgy Of The Unseen
Established in the early 1980s, the AOP Student Awards recognise and highlight the emerging photographic talent that exists in further education institutions across the UK. We pride ourselves on nurturing talented photographers throughout their career and many previous AOP Student Awards winners have gone on to become discovery winners as assisting photographers and then as professional photographers in our prestigious AOP Photography Awards.
The AOP Starting Out programme offers photography graduates, students and those in the early stages of their career the opportunity to experience the professional working side of the industry. With the support of leading photographers and names within the industry, these sessions will provide practical knowledge and insights for you to start your photography career. Covering all the business basics including invoicing to licensing and contracts, as well as practical advice for those considering starting out as an Assistant Photographer.
We will also be running free portfolio review sessions and providing a healthy dose of inspiration with a range of reviewers from amongst our Accredited Photographer members and other industry representatives.
The 2026 AOP Student Award finalists will be exhibited onsite and we will be announcing our Gold and Silver category winners as well as our Best in Show winner on Friday 17 July 2026 live between 5 and 7pm.
In the middle of East London’s most vibrant destinations, E1 Studios is in the heart of incredible places to eat, world-beating art and history just beyond the office doors.
Getting to E1 Studios
10 mins walk away from the Truman Brewery, south of Brick Lane on Whitechapel Road (heading east).
Whitechapel and Aldgate East tube stations are just moments away, with a host of local buses also available, as well as cycle routes and nearby car parking.
Aldgate East 2 min walk
Session details to follow
David Grover, Head of Product Training at Capture One, will deliver a editing and postproduction session on maximizing your images with Capture One’s editing tools.
Join CAPTURE ONE for a live demonstration and workshop.
Presented by CAPTURE ONE.
Join us for a live demo with CAPTURE ONE, the premier editing and workflow software used by top photographers and studios worldwide.
Discover how mastering CAPTURE ONE delivers ultimate image quality, streamlines collaborative workflows, and most importantly, helps you elevate your career in the photographic industry.
Don’t miss this opportunity to stand out and succeed—start your CAPTURE ONE journey today
Beyond ideas, aesthetics and technical skills, you need a solid foundation of basic business skills.
As part of our Best Practice series, join AOP Chair and former Head of Global Licensing, Hamish Crooks with AOP Head of Business and Legal and AOP Accredited Photographer Nick Dunmur, to discover and understand the practical basics you will need to start your photography business and career.
Once students have graduated it can seem daunting taking those first steps into the professional world. In this session you’ll get real insight about the industry and how to make the transition from a commercial perspective.
From invoicing to licensing and contracts, getting your foundations in place frees you up to create and succeed.
tbc
Session details to follow
Launch Your Career by Getting Into Assisting.
You need a myriad of skills when taking your first steps into the industry, both in relation to technical and soft skills. Assisting is a great way to obtain this all-round experience by assisting a range of different photographers and be paid for work you love doing.
As industry experts in their field, join AOP Accredited Photographer members ……… and guests, as they share their professional insights and experience either being an or working with assistants, and why they see it as the perfect route into the industry.
See Full Folio Review details below.
As a photographer or creative of any kind, you need to get used to presenting your work.
We have assembled a range of Award winning photographers plus Agents, commissioners and more to offer FREE portfolio reviews throughout the day.
Advice, insights to help you on your way to a professional career.
Book your first session time via the link below.
Book a portfolio review session to discuss your work and practice with professional and award winning photographers, commissioners and agents.
Sessions last 15 – 20 minutes and MUST be booked in advance.
Today’s session includes:
The AOP Photography Awards are known as the ‘Oscars’ of the photography world. They celebrate excellence in the creative photography and image-making industry.
This is your chance to be seen by leading commissioners and names within the photographic industry.
Check out our 39th AOP Awards FINALISTS and WINNERS
