From BNU to Student Photographer of the Year at UK Picture Editors’ Guild Awards: Ben Montgomery on his time at BNU

After moving from a small Scottish town to attend BNU, Photography student Ben Montgomery was keen to branch out, develop his skills and get more experience. For him, 'BNU ticked every box', and soon after he began taking pictures for the Students' Union Wednesday night socials. After shooting fashion weeks, documenting the migrant crisis in Calais, and world leaders leaving No.10, Ben was named Student Photographer of the Year at the UK Picture Editors’ Guild Awards.

Below, Ben discusses his time at BNU and what's next for him after graduating this summer.

1. What inspired you to pursue photography, and how did that passion begin?

My photography journey kicked off during the Covid-19 lockdown back in 2020, not long after I’d turned 16. With most things on pause and daily walks being the highlight of the day, I started taking my camera out to document my local community. When restrictions eased, I thought I’d chance my luck and got in touch with the local newspaper to see if they had any shifts going. To my surprise, they did. My first assignment was shooting a friendly down at the local football ground. From there, it’s all snowballed really.

2. What made you choose BNU?

Growing up in a small Scottish town, I was keen to branch out and grow my business. Scotland’s a brilliant place but let’s be honest, there’s not as much news and definitely not as much going on entertainment-wise compared to somewhere like London. I always knew I enjoyed photographing people and places, but I’d never really had the chance to dive into the history of photography, get to grips with the technical side or build proper industry connections down south. For me, BNU ticked every box, so I took the leap.

3. What were some of the most valuable skills or experiences you gained during your time at BNU?

As a press photographer, working to deadlines is easily one of the most important skills in my toolkit. Whether it’s getting to a job on time or making sure images are with the picture desk before print, my day pretty much revolves around tight turnarounds. At BNU, the assignment-based assessments are all deadline-driven too, which ties in perfectly with the pace of the industry. Juggling it all can be a challenge, but there’s no better feeling than hitting that submit button and knowing you’ve nailed it. As far as transferable skills go, this one’s right up there.

4. Can you tell us about your work with the Students’ Union and how it shaped your journey?

In my first year, like most people, I was out with my mates more often than not. By being out and about, I ended up meeting loads of people across the university, not just from my year but from second and third year too. After going along to a few rugby matches with my camera to get some shots of the boys playing, I was asked by staff from the students union if I’d be up for photographing a Wednesday night social. From there I ended up shooting pretty much every night out in my second and third year, from OMB! nights to throwbacks with Dick and Dom, and honestly, I loved every minute. Even with all the deadlines and coursework, I managed to blend my business with my nights out - but instead of suffering the dreaded hangover the next morning, I’d have a cracking set of photos for everyone to look back on. 

5. Can you tell us about your dissertation project?

In my second year, I got really interested in how sight loss affects creatives and how people adapt to it. For one project, I worked with a fellow student who had coloboma - a condition where part of the eye doesn’t fully develop. The project went so well that over the summer, while I was out shooting every day, I found myself thinking more about how much I rely on my sight, not just for work but in day-to-day life too. For my final dissertation project, I connected with a photographer I met through a Facebook group who’d lost sight in one eye after an accident on a commercial shoot. She later had to have the eye removed and replaced with a prosthetic shell. We’d been in touch quite early after her accident, so the story felt very current and personal. The project took place in Devon, which I didn’t know at all, so last-minute I pivoted the focus to explore the connection between individuality and landscapes. It ended up being a really positive, colourful and thought-provoking series that documented her relationship with a beach she revisited not long after the accident - a place that held real significance for her.

6. Did the project change your perspective on accessibility and creativity in photography?

Absolutely. Running a freelance business is hugely time-consuming when you’re not behind the camera. Whether it’s admin, phone calls or onboarding new clients, everything has to be built around the most important part - the actual shooting. In the case of my project participant, who was running a successful wedding and commercial photography business, everything changed overnight after her accident. Her focus had to shift from work to simply looking after herself. That sudden loss of business obviously hit hard, both financially and mentally. What really stood out to me was the strength of her support network keeping her afloat. It definitely made me stop and think about how fortunate I am with the work I have now and what I’d do if things ever took a sudden turn.

7. What is your proudest career moment so far?

In April 2025, I was commended as Student Photographer of the Year at the UK Picture Editors’ Guild Awards. The night was packed with some of the best photographers in the industry - people I’ve looked up to for years from London and beyond. Being welcomed into that community and recognised as one of their own was a real honour. It’s given me a fresh drive to keep pushing my work to the next level, no matter what the assignment is.

8. Can you tell us how BNU influenced your work as a freelancer? / How do you think BNU has prepared you for the world of work?

As a freelancer, getting to grips with the admin side of running a business is always a challenge (especially after long days out on the road). During my second and final year, I was lucky enough to get some brilliant mentorship through the professional modules, with advice from people right at the top of their industries. What I really liked was that not every guest speaker came from a photography background. Hearing how others manage their businesses was genuinely interesting and gave me a fresh perspective. I took away plenty of useful tips, learned how to dodge common pitfalls and even now I still apply a lot of what was covered, from cashflow to networking and marketing skills.

9. What do you wish other people outside of our university knew about BNU?

I wish more people realised you’re never really on your own during your time at BNU. As a creative, it’s easy to get stuck in your own head, whether it’s a short-term brief or a bigger project, and convince yourself you’re the only one who understands where it’s going. But being surrounded by other talented creatives means there are always opportunities to collaborate, bounce ideas around and take projects in exciting new directions. I’ve seen it firsthand - sometimes through a bit of casual experimenting, other times by completely flipping a project on its head. For me, collaboration and sharing ideas are key to creating standout work that’ll really boost your portfolio by the time you leave university.

10. What advice would you give to future photography students hoping to follow a similar path?

Originality is everything, especially in press photography. Too often you find a crowd of photographers all snapping the same shot from the same spot - ten cameras capturing one scene, leaving one editor to sift through nearly identical pictures. That’s not my style. I’m all about spotting something different, whether it’s a unique detail or an unexpected angle that makes my work stand out. Photography began as a hobby for me, and I still make time to shoot just for the sheer enjoyment of it. I enjoy creating little digital postcards of places I’ve visited, slowly building a personal collection that’s just for me. It’s a way to keep the joy alive without the pressure of a work assignment.

11. What’s next for you?

With the results in and graduation behind me, I’ve been putting real energy into growing my brand and connecting with new media outlets, making sure I’m delivering top-tier imagery. London doesn’t sleep, which means there’s always something new to capture. Whether it’s a night spent photographing celebrities in Mayfair or protests unfolding in Trafalgar Square, there’s always a story waiting to be told. I’m especially keen to travel more with the job. A recent week in Calais, documenting the ongoing migrant crisis in northern France really ignited a drive in me to seek out more urgent, newsworthy stories and share the world as I see it through my own lens.

All photo credit to Ben Montgomery.