A 21-year-old TAFE NSW Hunter Street photography graduate will be snapping the world’s best athletes next month, after securing the opportunity of a lifetime.  Jacob Gower will be photographing the marathon events at the Paris Olympics, thanks to aglobal sports magazine. He’ll also have the rare opportunity to photograph inside the Olympic Stadium as an accredited photographer.  

Jacob, who lives in Buttaba and graduates from his Diploma of Photography and Digital Imaging on Friday, says his own passion for long-distance running enables him to embody a different perspective for his speciality area of track and field athletes.

“We also had to do a lot of research into iconic photographers as part of my TAFE NSW studies, and absorbing their styles inspired me to emulate a more artistic representation to help build greater recognition of track and field athletes in Australia.

“My teachers’ knowledge and expertise, along with their encouragement to build my portfolio, was part of what inspired me to travel around Australia shooting athletes at track and field events.

"Learning how to run a photography from the business side was also invaluable, things like how to respond to a brief are really important to making a successful career,” he said.

His dedication has paid off with this Olympic-sized opportunity. Jacob has also started a new role as Creative Director with Straight At It, media company specialising in athletics.  

“Even though my dad was a professional photographer, committing to study photography at TAFE NSW helped me realise my dream career is a possibility,” Mr Gower said.

“I am really excited by this opportunity, it will be challenging but that’s what I love about photographing athletes,” Mr Gower said.

TAFE NSW Hunter Street campus Head Teacher, Fine Art, David Trout, says Jacob is a shining example of what TAFE NSW photography students can achieve.

“This is an incredible honour for Jacob and is testament to his talent and hard work.  We saw from day one that he was very competent and has pushed himself to develop his own unique style. This is key to the recognition and work he is getting” Mr Trout said.

“Like Jacob, all our graduates are distinguished by their grounding in technical skills and also they learn practical experience in composition, commercial and creative work.

“Our Certificate IV and Diploma in Photography and Digital Imaging empowers our students with an array of skills they need to launch their career in the industry.

“The courses provide students with hands-on learning opportunities that broaden their knowledge and expertise across a variety of photographic genres,” Mr Trout said.

Nationally, the profession is projected to grow by 6.5% in the five years between 2023 and 2028.

Media contact: Melanie Pope, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, melanie.pope@tafensw.edu.au,  0400 074 007.