Ryley Morton

Photography BA (Hons)

Ryley initially believed he could succeed in photography through skill and persistence alone, but years of struggling as a freelancer left him burnt out and uncertain. When the pandemic hit, he gave his dream one last shot by enrolling at Birmingham City University—finding the structure, mentorship, and community he needed to thrive.

“I initially had no intention of pursuing a degree in photography, convinced that formal education wasn’t necessary for a creative career. I pursued freelance photography after college but soon became disillusioned as I struggled with a lack of industry knowledge and guidance.

After abandoning my dream for a more secure path as an electrician, the pandemic forced me to re-evaluate my future, leading me to give my creative dream one final chance through university—a decision that, shaped by years of struggle and growth, ultimately became the turning point in my personal and professional journey.

Studying photography at BCU reignited my passion for photography; The course gave me a comprehensive understanding of photography, covering business, technical, and philosophical aspects that underpin the art form.
I gained clarity, direction, and, just as importantly, industry connections. The course opened my eyes to the wide range of career paths available to me in photography, introduced me to practitioners across commercial and artistic spaces, and helped me build long-lasting professional relationships, some of which continue to bring me commissions to this day.

Access to state-of-the-art facilities and top-of-the-industry resources allowed me to refine my craft, while being part of a community of passionate and knowledgeable practitioners that constantly pushed me to grow. Most importantly, I formed lasting professional and personal friendships that will support and inspire me throughout my career. This experience has been truly life-changing, equipping me with the skills, knowledge, and network to confidently pursue my future in photography.

From documenting drone races and artist talks to photographing music festivals and assisting on music videos, I have been fortunate to dive headfirst into every opportunity that has come my way. One of my first big breaks was photographing my lecturer’s artist talk, which led to a series of commissions and, ultimately, a lasting professional relationship with a client who continues to book me for creative projects. During my time at university, I secured a position at WEX, the UK’s leading camera store, where I continue to work part-time while steadily building my freelance photography career. My lens has captured everything from live gigs to weddings to powerful portraits and even community arts projects. My career is continuously evolving, and each day brings fresh challenges and exciting new experiences to engage with. It’s a whirlwind life, very unpredictable, creatively demanding, and sometimes overwhelming. But after experiencing the burnout of jobs where I was just another cog in the machine, I know that this was the right path to take.

I have had so many proud moments, like photographing my first-year lecturer’s wedding, working my first ever festival, being shortlisted for the Taylor Wessing Prize, and winning the Portrait of Britain Award. My long-term dream is to build a sustainable, impactful career in photography that allows me to travel, connect deeply with others, and help people tell the stories that matter. And that journey has already begun.

I would advise anyone considering BCU to do it. Make use of the facilities, networks and lecturers. Be prepared to spend time refining your craft and absorbing knowledge because what you put in shapes what you’ll take away.
And for recent graduates navigating life after university, stay active, stay engaged. Reach out to people. Make your own opportunities. Don’t get discouraged by part-time jobs, just make sure they feed your bigger goals.

To me, "I AM BCU" represents more than just having studied at Birmingham City University—it symbolizes the experiences, growth, and connections that have shaped me both personally and professionally.”