charlotte wiig

"Green Wall" by Charlotte Wiig, 2004

"I finished a BA (Hons) degree in Film and Media in Scotland, but only “saw the light” after undertaking work experience for various Scottish newspapers. Then I knew I wanted to become a photojournalist, so I completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Photojournalism at the London College of Printing in 2002.

"After this I set up my own business in South London and work as a freelance photographer and photojournalist. Being half British and half Norwegian I have taken advantage of the opportunities to work in the newspaper and magazine markets in both countries. Additionally I sell photographs through a Scandinavian picture agency. I concentrate on features and cover everything from fashion to architecture, portraits to reportage.

"In 2003-04 I participated in the New Entrepreneur Scholarship programme. This scheme proved to be very useful as it taught key business skills. Part of the programme is to write an extensive business plan in order to gain a grant on completion.

"As well as help from oneLondon and my business mentor through the New Entrepreneur Scholarship programme, ECCA also largely helped me. They provided very useful and specific advise for people in the creative arts industries. I found the staff at ECCA professional and enthusiastic as well as very creative lateral thinkers.

"I thought it would never happen, but my business stabilised in 2005, proving that there really is work in photography. Lots of work is coming to me, and I have a wide range of clients. About 40% of my work is for commercial clients, ranging from SMEs to local councils to large corporations like BT. The other 60% of my work is photojournalism for magazines and newspapers."

Charlotte got a friend to design her website which showcases some of her work: www.charlottewiig.co.uk

Charlotte Wiig can be contacted on 0798 461 7219 and via email at: mail@charlottewiig.co.uk.