PA Images launched their search for interns as part of their paid sports internship program last November …and here are the lucky recipients …Northampton-born photographer Bradley Collyer (19) and Tess Derry (25) , from Wimbledon, were chosen from over 70 applicants from around the UK for the paid, six-month placements. Both will receive on-the-job training with PA Images’ picture editors and award-winning photographers, including Mike Egerton, recipient of the ‘Sports Photographer Award’ at the 2019 British Photography Awards and Jane Barlow, named ‘Sports Photographer of the Year’ at the 2018 Scottish Press Awards.
Bradley is currently working with PA Images’ Nottingham-based team and Tess will take up her placement in August. Both accomplished photographers, they impressed the judges with sports portfolios built through freelance jobs, work experience and junior staff positions at leading football clubs and media brands.
Bradley began volunteering at Chelsea FC before being offered a staff role in 2017. He focussed primarily on the club’s Women’s and Academy teams, covering home and away games, including Champions League matches. The role also gave him the opportunity to attend some of the first team’s games and training sessions.
In 2017, Tess worked alongside a team at UEFA shooting promotional material for the women’s game. The same year she took up a work experience position at the Daily Mail, as assistant to three sports photographers. In that role she undertook studio and pitch-side assignments, including England team training sessions. Tess is currently working as a freelance sport picture editor for the Mail Online.
Stephen Munday, Managing Director of PA Images, told PAN: “I’d like to see more organisations offering paid internships of this nature. It is incredibly important that we create routes into sports photography – to nurture new talent and diversify the profession in the process. Bradley and Tess have very promising careers ahead of them and I am excited to see them develop as they learn from some of the industry’s finest photographers.”
• PA Images Sports photography internship will reopen for applications at the end of 2019.