Jordan Pettitt: from photographing the King’s coronation to Wimbledon

Is there an experience you’ve had as a photographer that was particularly memorable? 

My personal highlight so far has been going to Normandy to cover the D-Day 80th anniversary. I travelled with the surviving D-Day veterans on the ferry crossing from Portsmouth to Caen, as well as being part of the Royal Rota and photographing Prince William as he attended the Canadian and international ceremonies. It was the most incredible experience of my life, and I was honored to have been part of the PA Media team covering the event.  

Another favourite moment has to be capturing the Household Cavalry horses that bolted through the streets of London in 2024. I was covering a job related to the ongoing Post Office Inquiry, and shortly after finishing the street fell silent as two horses bolted down Fleet Street. 

Being a press photographer, I was quick to respond and managed to get a few photos as they hurled down the street. Very quickly the news broke that they had escaped the barracks near Victoria, and I was the only agency photographer to have taken a picture of them. 

My pictures made the front of almost every UK national newspaper, as well as The Washington Post. It’s my most-used picture to date, and was down to nothing more than being in the right place at the right time! 

How did your time at Falmouth help you to break into the photography industry? 

The step into the real world was made much easier by the incredible support from the lecturers. Having access to industry-grade cameras and studios/darkrooms was critical in ensuring my skillset was up to speed when leaving university.  

Without access to the best DSLRs and mirrorless camera systems, without the professional studios, I would be a step behind other candidates when applying for photography roles.  

My lecturers were also always on hand whenever I had any questions, and the skills and knowledge I learned while at Falmouth was invaluable in allowing me to transition into the role of a photographer. 

Choosing Falmouth was always an easy decision. The opportunity to study a course almost specifically tailored to my photographic interests in such a picturesque part of the country was a no-brainer for me. I was excited to experience a more relaxed way of life in Cornwall too and use the environment to shape the stories I wanted to tell.  

What advice would you give to this year’s graduates looking to break into the photography industry? 

Take any opportunity you can get. No matter what comes your way, no matter what you may enjoy or may not enjoy, give yourself the very best chance of succeeding. This means trying anything: you can only regret the things you never tried.  

At university it’s your one opportunity to shoot so freely, and so creatively. I owe Falmouth University so much; it’s truly an industry-leading place to learn and grow.  

External links: 

Instagram: @jordanpettittphoto 

Website: https://www.jordanpettitt.com/  

Discover Documentary & Editorial Photography BA(Hons)