Clara Pascoe is turning her creative vision into a career studying the Diploma of Photography and Digital Imaging [CUA50925] at TAFE SA’s Adelaide College of the Arts (AC Arts).

After studying photography in high school, Clara took a different path at university before realising during a gap year travelling that photography could be more than a hobby she enjoyed, it could be a career.

Since starting at AC Arts, Clara has embraced every opportunity to build experience, confidence and industry connections. From photographing performances and rehearsals, to taking production shots, creating images for posters, covering events and volunteering during National Skills Week, she has made the most of the collaborative creative environment around her.

Studying part-time alongside work has also given Clara the flexibility to say ‘yes’ to more opportunities, including recently landing a paid photography assistant role.

“I started the course not knowing anything and couldn’t imagine how far I’d come two years later. This course helped build my foundation and pathway for a career,” she says

“My advice is to start the career while you’re in the course, build your portfolio, take the collaborative offers and say yes to opportunities, even if they scare you.”

For Clara, AC Arts feels like a creative community, a place where students across different art forms are all working under one roof, learning, collaborating and creating. She credits the course with helping her learn the technical side of photography, grow her confidence and find her direction.

Clara’s dream? A full-time career in photography, with hopes to keep developing her creative practice, exhibit her work and one day travel the world telling powerful stories through photos. 🌍📷

📸 Behind the lens: Clara shoots with a Sony Alpha 7 IV full-frame mirrorless camera, a hybrid camera suited to both photography and video.

Follow her photography journey on Instagram: @pascoepics

Photo Left: Exeter Hotel for the band Monya

Photo Right: Pirie House for TAFE SA Fashion (Piece by Saliha Karatas)