The Christie is home to a diverse range of careers, many of which are not widely known outside specialist healthcare settings. Work experience opportunities help raise awareness of these professions, enabling individuals to make informed career choices while highlighting the breadth of roles that support patients across the Trust.
Recently, George, a professional photographer with more than 7 years' experience in portrait, studio and event photography, spent two days with The Christie's medical illustration team exploring a career in clinical photography. Having previously run his own photography studio in Bangalore, George was keen to understand how his existing skills could be applied within healthcare.
Coming from a family of healthcare professionals, George was attracted to the profession because it offered an opportunity to combine his passion for photography with supporting patients.
"I've always enjoyed working with people, and I wanted to find a way to use my photography skills for something more meaningful. When I came across clinical photography and learnt how photos can help doctors and patients, I became interested in finding out more about it."
Hosted by Kelsey Thompson and the wider medical illustration team, George shadowed photographers in clinics, observed patient appointments, learnt about image management and consent, practised clinical photography techniques and received guidance on building a specialist portfolio.
Reflecting on the experience, George explained how different clinical photography was from his previous work: "Before my placement, I thought clinical photography was mainly about taking accurate photos for medical records. But I quickly realised there's much more to it. I was really impressed by how the team made patients feel comfortable and how carefully they worked."
Throughout the placement, George observed how consistency, accuracy and communication underpin the profession. He was particularly struck by how photographic techniques support clinical decision-making, learning about reproduction ratios, specialist lighting, image documentation, anatomy, consent and governance.
"A patient couldn't lift their foot very far, so Robbie adjusted his own position to take the photographs. It made me realise how important it is to adapt to the patient's needs rather than expecting the patient to adapt to the camera."
Despite having extensive photography experience, George found there was still plenty to learn.
"Even though I have over 7 years of photography experience, I discovered so many new things during my 2 days at The Christie. Being able to observe real patient appointments, see how the team works and understand what happens behind the scenes gave me a much better picture of the profession."
The placement also helped George understand the knowledge required to work within a healthcare environment.
"I understood that clinical photography requires knowledge, especially in anatomy, some basic medical terminology, patient care and standardised photography techniques. I really enjoyed learning from the team. It made me want to explore the profession further."
The experience has already inspired George to take practical steps towards his goal.
"Robbie and Kelsey gave me useful advice about building a clinical photography portfolio, which is something I would like to start working on. I have already ordered an extension tube to convert my current lens into a macro lens so I can practise and build a portfolio."
Most importantly, the placement gave him greater confidence in his future plans.
"Before the placement, I was interested in clinical photography, but I wasn't sure how my previous photography experience would fit into a hospital environment. Spending two days with the team helped me understand the profession much better and made me feel more confident about pursuing it."
Kelsey Thompson highlighted the value of offering these opportunities: "It's really rewarding to share our knowledge with someone who might be interested in joining the profession and give them the information, experience and tools they need to start thinking about their own career path. It also benefits us as a team because a fresh pair of eyes can bring different questions, perspectives and ideas that we might not have considered ourselves."
George concluded: "I'm very grateful to everyone at The Christie for giving me this opportunity. It has been a memorable and encouraging experience."
A huge thank you to Kelsey and the wider medical illustration team for their generosity, enthusiasm and commitment to supporting aspiring professionals. Having already supported nine placements this year, the team continue to play a vital role in raising awareness of the profession, sharing their expertise, and inspiring future talent through the time and encouragement they give to others.
We would also like to thank George for bringing such enthusiasm, curiosity and positivity to the placement, and for sharing his reflections with us. We wish him every success as he develops his portfolio and progresses towards a career in clinical photography, and we look forward to seeing where his journey takes him next.