Creative Industries Review - ADMA6008 - Daniel Phillips (2010958)
Introduction and Context of Review
This portfolio explores the evolving landscape of the photography workshop industry, focusing on its intersection with the creative, tourism, and environmental sectors. It examines how photographers are increasingly shaping careers that combine creativity, education, and nature-based experiences, offering participants opportunities to develop technical skills while fostering a deeper connection to the natural world.
Within this context, my professional practice through Dinefwr Studios Ltd has already established a foundation in photography tuition, guest lectures, and commercial media production for business clients. However, my long-term focus is to refine and expand this work towards landscape and wildlife photography workshops in the UK and abroad. These experiences aim to blend professional tuition with the restorative qualities of time spent outdoors, encouraging creativity, mindfulness, and environmental appreciation.
The photography workshop sector reflects a wider shift in the creative industries towards experiential learning and sustainable practice. Increasingly, consumers are seeking experiences that combine skill development with personal growth and wellbeing. Research by VisitBritain (2023) notes that “59% of domestic visitors in England consider the type of experience they want to have when choosing where to travel.” However, as a government tourism body, VisitBritain’s focus is on promoting national travel, which may overemphasise positive growth trends while overlooking barriers such as affordability and accessibility. Vertical Leap (2024) also identify eco-conscious travel as one of the leading holiday trends, with travellers seeking destinations that align with sustainability and nature connection.
The UK’s adventure tourism sector is also expanding, reflecting an appetite for active, immersive experiences in natural environments. Future Market Insights (2024) forecasts strong growth in the UK adventure tourism market. However, such projections are based on pre-pandemic recovery data and may not fully account for the cost-of-living pressures currently shaping domestic travel decisions. This uncertainty reinforces the importance of flexible, scalable business planning. This growth, however, reinforces the opportunity for small creative businesses like mine to deliver specialist outdoor experiences that combine photography with exploration and environmental awareness.
At the same time, the creative industries are increasingly recognised as contributors to the tourism economy. The OECD (2014, p. 10) explains that “creative tourism provides opportunities for visitors to develop their creative potential through active participation in learning experiences,” linking artistic practice with cultural and economic value. This perspective situates photography workshops within a wider framework of creative tourism, where creative skill, storytelling, and place-based learning intersect.
However, this field also presents professional and ethical challenges. Practitioners must navigate issues such as environmental impact, wildlife disturbance, accessibility, and financial sustainability while maintaining creative integrity. Understanding these dynamics is essential for developing a responsible and resilient business model.
As a creative entrepreneur, I aim to position Dinefwr Studios Ltd within this space by combining high-quality photography tuition with ethical and sustainable practice. Entrepreneurship provides the independence and adaptability required to evolve alongside the changing needs of audiences and the creative economy. My approach is shaped by both professional experience and academic reflection, using research and critical analysis to inform business strategy and long-term goals such as the potential development of a woodland-based retreat featuring glamping pods and wildlife hides for immersive tuition experiences.
This portfolio will critically examine the current trends, challenges, and opportunities within the photography workshop industry, supported by academic research and first-hand engagement with professionals in the field. It will also reflect on my own practice, identifying how I can continue to grow as a creative entrepreneur who values education, sustainability, and authentic connection through photography.