News: Focus on Flamingo Photography

A focused Rotherham photographer has set up her own business after after receiving essential business advice from the Rotherham Enterprise Project.

Nicola Harding, 20, from Brinsworth snubbed the conventional university career path to set up Flamingo photography.

Determined to pursue her love of photography, Nicola turned down a place studying Sociology at Sheffield University to start up her own business.



She said: "Setting up my own business was a bit spur of the moment but I knew university just wasn't for me. I felt pressured into it because I think schools can focus too much on going to university and assume if you are intelligent you should just go, rather than encouraging those who excel at something to do what they are passionate about.

"I absolutely love photography and everywhere I go I always discover something which would make a great photo. I didn't know where to start or how I'd set up alone until I got in touch with the Rotherham Enterprise Project and now my all friends are impressed that I have my very own business – and it's going brilliantly."

The Rotherham Enterprise Project, which is funded by the European Regional Development Fund, is made up of four partner organisations and employs teams of business coaches and business support officers to work closely with young aspiring entrepreneurs who want to start or already run their own business.

A business coach from the project guided Nicola through her first stages of setting up Flamingo Photography, showing her how to register with the tax office and helping her build up key contacts – in turn drawing in numerous bookings.

She added: "I'm slowly but surely building up the business and at first it was quite a challenge because I had no previous business knowledge. But all the support I've received for the Rotherham Youth Enterprise project has been fantastic and now I've got some really exciting bookings in the pipeline."

After just nine months Nicola has captured the magic of weddings and music gigs on her camera and shot a glamourous fashion catalogue shoot for local clothing company Pretty Dresses.

Jackie Frost, from Rotherham Youth Enterprise, said: "Nicola is a strong individual who has a fantastic talent both in photography and in her ability and determination to make her dreams come true.

"Although her business has only been set up for a few months, Nicola's achievements to date are brilliant and inspiring to all those young people who want to go far in business. We are thrilled that we could help Nicola on her journey and wish her all the best with her promising career."

Flamingo Photography website
Rotherham Enterprise website

Images: flamingophotography.co.uk