Ruth Bennett

I am a passionate, enthusiastic, organised and creative individual with a considerable breadth of experience in a wide range of design work, from creative marketing, to print production, photography and associated supporting services. My knowledge is varied and extensive and includes the use of design software, various printing methods and end to end delivery. I am highly self-motivated while also being able to function as part of a wider team.

I have excellent knowledge of a large number of artistic and creative techniques such as print-making and graphic design – these skills have been utilised in a school environment as well as in my own business by creating my own brand and developing my own advertising. I am extremely well organised with a proven track record of managing tasks to time and on budget.

Reprographics Technician/School Photographer - Fairfield High School - Bristol

(2024-02)

• Run all reprographics activity for the school, manage print usage, & am school budget-holder for all print stock control. I coordinate high-volume print, scan, and production under tight deadlines.
• Oversee all on-site print machinery; maintenance, collaboration with IT support & suppliers for technical issues.
• I founded, and now curate, design, and edit a dedicated creative arts magazine ("Upon the Hill") that celebrates and showcases visual talent from across the entire school community.
• Produce internal marketing assets, promotional collateral & large-scale displays in line with school brand guidelines.
• I have built and maintain a comprehensive digital resource library to standardise and professionalise the imagery used across all school print assets.
• In addition to my day to day responsibilities in Reprographics, I handle in-house photography, facilitate a KS3 photography club, & co-lead a staff wellbeing group. I also deliver Adobe Creative Cloud training to peers and students

Clinical Photographer - Gloucestershire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust - Gloucester and Cheltenham

(2023-01 - 2024-01)

One year contract

• Carry out clinical and specialist photographic techniques, in line with departmental protocols, to produce materials for use in patient monitoring and recording, support of teaching and research and illustration of medical publications within the GHNHSFT
• Accurately photograph non-accidental injuries involving children and /or vulnerable adults
• Provide a comprehensive Teledermatology service undertaking lesion photography with the use of a specialist dermoscope
• Provide a memory making photography service of newborn and neonatal patients for adoption and fostering placements and neonatal and infant death cases for bereavement
• Carry out non-clinical photography in support of public relations, teaching, and research activities of GHNHSFT
• Practice within the terms of the Academy for Healthcare Science's Standards Expected of a Registered Medical Illustrator and the Institute of Medical Illustrators Code of Professional Conduct for Professional Members and follow local policies and standard operating procedures
• Digital processing and finishing of images using Fotoware software, Fototstation, Fotoweb and Adobe. Processing and managing images provided by others, from out of hours services, for upload into Fotoweb
• Accurate metadata entry and updates within the Media Job Manager System (MJM) and patient information using Trak and Electronic Patient Record (EPR)
• Support the training and development of trainee Clinical Photographers
• Maintain a CPD record to keep abreast of current technical developments relating to medical photography

Reprographics Technician/School Photographer - Bristol Grammar School - Bristol

(2017-08 - 2022-12)

• Managing a reprographics department for the school, including budget tracking, resource and supplier management, equipment maintenance and service improvement
• Daily prioritisation of activity, including large scale photocopying, printing resources for staff, scanning masters to store or use with new originals, laminating and scanning
• Photography work as required, including staff ID badges, student and staff individual and group portraits, exam work, school events and productions
• Liaising with external photographers
• Uploading to and maintaining the Reprographics Drive (a digital store of resources for departments)
• Driving greater efficiencies through enhancing existing processes to give staff members confidence
• Taking work from various sources to make new handouts, tests, etc.
• Producing artwork such as posters and display cards for use with wall displays
• Designing and printing tickets, posters and programmes for school events
• Other in-house production of school marketing documents as required
• Ensuring content follows school brand guidelines
• Training staff and students in the use of Adobe Creative Cloud as and when required
• Uploading and managing documents to digital publishing platforms
• Maintaining copiers, shredders and guillotines and liaising with suppliers to arrange support where necessary
• Working with the ICT support team to ensure the setup of new copiers and printers
• Ordering and managing consumable stock volumes in line with agreed budgets
• Keeping account of departmental printing and copying
• Assisting staff to find digital methods through which to create and share resources, rather than physical copies, where appropriate
• Re-organising the senior school pigeonholes over the summer holidays, to account for staff arrivals and departures
• Assistance with any task that may reasonably be required in relation to the scope of the post, as other duties permit

Photography Teacher - St. Brendan's Sixth Form College - Bristol

(2012-05 - 2016-09)

• Teacher to AS and A2 Photography
• Write and deliver schemes of work for AS and A2 Photography
• Organise local, national and international trips – strong organisational skills and able to demonstrate adaptability
• Organise and manage guest speakers and professional development sessions – coordination of broader themes
• Manage department tasks for external annual Creative Arts exhibition
• Offer specialist support for UCAS applications – one to one interpersonal skills and advice
• Manage the Creative Arts Facebook and Twitter accounts – comprehensive understanding of social media as a communications platform

Photography Lecturer - New College - Swindon

(2009-09 - 2012-05)

• Course leader for A2 Photography
• Lecturer to AS and A2 Level Photography
• Lecturer to BTEC National Diploma Photography
• Write and deliver schemes of work for 1st and 2nd year BTEC National Diploma Photography and A2 Photography
• Specialist in 'Visual Communication' and 'Visual Recording' for 1st year BTEC National Diploma Photography
• Personal tutor

Medical Photographer - North Bristol NHS Trust - Bristol

(2003-03 - 2008-08)

• Involvement at careers events promoting Medical Illustration to school leavers
• Clinical photography in studio, ward and theatre environments
• Ophthalmic, medical-legal and public relations photography
• Digital processing, finishing of images, duplication and scanning
• Upholding policies in patient consent, confidentiality, data protection and human rights
• Collation of images and patient data

Photographer - Ruth Bennett Photography

(2006-06)

• Demonstrating strong interpersonal skills in working with clients to discuss the images they require and how they want to use them
• Introducing creativity from the outset of a commission through seeking out appropriate photographic subjects and opportunities, including carrying out research and preparation for a shoot and working in different locations and circumstances to get the right image
• Using an extensive range of technical equipment, including cameras, lenses, lighting and specialist software
• Communicating with photographic subjects, putting them at ease, encouraging them and directing them
• Managing the processing and use of images, discussing technical problems, checking for quality and dealing with clients' concerns
• Preparing and collating digital proofs for approval
• Compiling finished products for sale, such as albums and framed prints
• Understanding industry trends, developments and new techniques as well as keeping up to date with traditional film and digital photography
• Developing expertise with software to digitally enhance images by, for example, changing emphasis, cropping pictures, correcting minor faults or moving objects around
• Managing the business aspects of the work, including administration, scheduling work, invoicing and basic accounting
• Developing a good portfolio, building a network of contacts and achieving a reputation for quality and reliability in order to secure future assignments
• Self-marketing by, for example, producing business cards, postcards and promotional materials and creating and maintaining a website (designed and developed all of my own branding and marketing materials)
• Regularly demonstrating flexibility to meet client needs both in terms of adapting my approach to shoots to capture the desired output and also in my personal availability should the situation (weather, unforeseen circumstances) require

Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) - Institute for Learning (2010-10 - 2011-02)

Post Graduate Certificate in Education - Post Compulsory Education and Training (PGCE - PCET) at level 7 (Masters) - University of the West of England (2008-09 - 2009-06)