Working behind the camera at a Creative UK networking event
// Member News // Student Spotlight // Students & Early Careers
Creative UK collaborates with its student & early career membership to facilitate paid commission opportunities across our events and work. These opportunities provide a chance for students and young creatives to exercise their skills and studies in a real-life context, while encouraging development of their practice and learning new things on the job.
Through the Student Spotlight series, we’re giving airtime to these collaborative opportunities, platforming what young creatives get up to on the day, and share insights on how they’re carving out their own paths into the cultural and creative industries.
We worked with student photographer, Kary (pictured), who came along to photograph Creative UK’s Connect: Networking & Drinks event, hosted at Spotlight in London.
What are you studying and where?
BA Photography at Middlesex University, London.
Where did your love for the subject you’re studying begin?
My love for photography began when a close friend introduced me to analogue photography. Having grown up in Hong Kong, I had always held a deep appreciation for the city’s cultural heritage. Drawn to documenting everyday life, I began carrying my analogue camera everywhere, photographing friends, exploring street photography, and capturing the city’s architectural fabric. Upon relocating to the Uk, I seized the opportunity to study photography formally at A-level, where more creative opportunities are offered. One project that particularly revealed my creative potential was a series in which I employed multiple exposure techniques to bridge Hong Kong’s contemporary architecture with its nostalgic past— vintage movie posters with classic Hong Kong film stars. This not only deepened my interest in experimental photographic techniques, but stirred a profound urge to explore questions of heritage and identity through my practices. Continue to pursue photography in University, I discovered a growing passion for fashion photography, which have been continued until now.
How did you find the experience and what impact has working with Creative UK had on your knowledge, skills and creative journey?
Attending as a photographer at Creative UK Connects, I was responsible for capturing the vibrant atmosphere of an event celebrating human connection and creative community. The experience proved instrumental in developing my professional confidence and communication skills— not only in seeking consent before photographing guests, but in initiating natural conversations and presenting myself as an emerging professional. One particularly memorable connection was with representatives from the platform Etched, who shared insights that broadened my knowledge beyond photography and into the wider creative landscape. I also learned to handle refusals with grace and composure, respecting guests’ boundaries without allowing those moments to disrupt my momentum. Throughout the event, I remained mindful of my presence, navigating the lively atmosphere with discretion so as not to intrude upon the interactions I was there to document.
What I find most creatively rewarding was how distinct this experience felt from a controlled studio environment. The spontaneity of a live event demanded a different kind of creative thinking, one that felt closer to my roots in street photography. I found myself naturally incorporating techniques such as frame within frames— using the surrounding environment to capture the energy of the room while drawing focus to individual subjects. As the industry demands a swift turnaround of images, I completed my editing and delivered the final photographs within the client’s timeframe, demonstrating my ability to work efficiently under pressure— guided by a commitment to quality over quantity, ensuring every frame was intentional and meaningful.
What are your current goals and what steps are you taking to get there?
My goal is to build a career as a fashion photographer and visual content creator, working across both still image and moving image to tell compelling stories for brands, publications, and independent creatives.
Right now I am doing this by shooting runway at London Fashion Week, which keeps me embedded in the industry and sharpens my ability to work fast in high-pressure environments. I am also actively collaborating with creatives at university — stylists, designers, and filmmakers — to grow both my portfolio and my professional network. Additionally, I have been working as an event photographer to enhance my work experiences.
Alongside photography, I am expanding into short film and moving image, as I see these as increasingly essential to how fashion communicates today. I am keen to connect with other creatives and industry professionals who are working at that intersection — whether that is art directors, brands looking for visual content, or fellow photographers and filmmakers open to collaboration.
How can people reach you about future opportunities and/or to see more of your work?
The best place to see my work right now is my Instagram, @ka.merao, where I share my photography regularly. I am also in the process of building an official website, which will be launching soon as a more comprehensive portfolio.
For any collaboration enquiries or opportunities, feel free to reach me via Instagram DM or email at karykou2005@gmail.com — I am always open to connecting with the right people.
Examples of Kary’s work:
