EKC Group alumna turns passion into career after launching photography business

An alumna student who studied at East Kent Colleges Group 12 years ago, has proudly launched her own business – and it’s going from strength to strength.  

Shannen Lythgoe joined EKC Group’s EKC Broadstairs College when it was East Kent College in 2013 to study Photography.  

After having a passion for the creative subject since she was a child, Shannen decided College was the best path for her as it allowed her to focus on the subject and one day, turn her passion into her career.  

“When I was a kid, I really loved using disposable cameras on holiday and I really loved documenting what was happening around me,” she said.  

“I decided to go to College because I wanted to study Photography just by itself. College gave me the opportunity to focus on one subject instead of multiple ones that you would at school. I also liked that the schedule was more flexible so you can manage your time a bit better.  

 “I settled quite quickly into College because my class was full of like-minded people and I felt really supported by the lecturers. Another reason I chose College over school was because of the independence and the freedom to manage your own time outside of classes.” 

After successfully completing her course, Shannen decided to take a year out before going to University to study Photography further.  

She said having access to the superb facilities at College, such as the dark room, set her up well for University.  

“The access to the facilities at College was a massive highlight,” she said.  
  
“By the time I got to Uni, I felt more experienced because I was able to spend of time in the darkroom, in the studio and had the freedom to be creative at College. I think a lot of the time people say, ‘Uni is such a big step’, but I think College bridged that gap.” 

After graduating from University, Shannen then went on to put her passion for photography into play as she started her role as a photographer at an estate agent.  

But in lockdown, while she was still working at the estate agent, she decided to take things to the next level and start building her own photography business.  

“My business is a personal brand. It’s under my name, Shannon Lythgoe, and I work with small businesses to tell their stories with photos. I work with a lot of personal brands and creatives,” Shannen explained.  

 “I show people who they are, what they do, why they do it, where they’re based, all through photos, telling a story.   

 “I recently worked with an illustrator to tell her story and documented her in her studio drawing and some of her products in a lifestyle setting as well.” 

Last year, Shannen left her role at the estate agent to work full time on her business, and she hasn’t looked back.  

“I realised photography could be a career when I reached out to a small business in Margate for one of my projects at College,” she said.  

“I documented her shop and told her story, and when I took the photos, I just thought, wow, I could actually do this as a job, not just a hobby. 

“It’s been a rollercoaster, but really good and has allowed me to work with some really amazing brands.” 

When asked what advice she’d give to anyone who is considering a creative pathway at College, Shannen said to ‘go for it’.  

“I’d say if you’re passionate about it, just go for it. College gives you the time, space and support to grow creatively, as well as connect with other people on the same path,” she said.  

“It’s not just about the qualification – it’s about the confidence and the experience that you get as well.  

“The advice that I’d give my 16-year-old self is to trust your creativity and that it’s going to take you somewhere and that the right opportunities will come up.” 

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