Photographer’s snapshot of life in Birmingham

Where are you when the sun is appearing first thing in the morning? When most of us are tucked up in bed or pressing snooze on the alarm for the seventh time, photographer Verity Milligan is out and about ready to hit the shutter on her next photograph. Where? Birmingham of course, where else?

Verity, 33, who is originally from Northamptonshire and has lived in Acocks Green for four years, didn’t really start getting into photography until she was 25. Flash forward to today, she has been commended for a number of awards and has worked with some of the biggest brands in the UK. But there is one thing for sure, Birmingham is her favourite city, because it is so unlike anywhere else in Britain.

Verity’s favourite photo that she has ever snapped is a sunrise at The Bullring, which was highly commended at the British Life Photography awards. Verity, who works as a Media Production lecturer at the University of Leicester alongside her photography, told me that her favourite places to take photographs in the region were Oozells Square, Gas Street Basin and Lickey Hills and the most unusual place being the Post Office tunnels underneath New Street.

“What I love about Birmingham is how you get this constant cycle of change happening in front of your eyes every day”, Verity said. “With the library coming down, that whole landscape is changing and we have these juxtaposition parts of the city.

“The Jewellery Quarter is old school with red brick buildings which is quintessentially Birmingham and then you’ve got the more modern architecture like the new Central Library and The Mailbox and Grand Central. There is always something different to shoot.”

Since jumping on the social media hype four years ago and sharing her photos with her followers, the work hasn’t stopped for the Birmingham-based photographer. In recent years she has worked alongside the likes of Yorkshire Tea and Visit Britain and more locally, the Custard Factory, Grand Central and the Botanical Gardens.

But with everyone now carrying a camera in their pocket and social media channels like Instagram and Snapchat being so popular, is Verity worried about her future as a photographer? She said: “There is the argument that the likes of Instagram and access to editing software on your phone devalues actual photography, but 95% of the photos on Instagram don’t tend to be professional photos and aren’t as good as what you would expect from a photographer anyway.

“I think Instagram is a great way of creating communities and a chance for me to really get my work out there. I wouldn’t be anywhere near to where I am now if it wasn’t for social media. Social media gives me the opportunity to evolve.”

I was eager to ask Verity what her favourite aspect of photography is and she ever imagined doing this as a job all those years ago. She said: “When I first started taking photographs, I realised that it was exactly what I wanted to do.

“I didn’t think I would be able to make a career out of it but I just really enjoyed it and it what I love the most about it is how it just switches my head off when I’m out shooting across the region.”

Verity also runs workshops for people who are eager to learn more about photography. Workshops tend to take place first thing in the morning or last thing at night in the city centre, but she also loves shooting in surrounding areas.

So, how do you take the perfect photograph? Sitting with Verity and marvelling at hundreds of her photos made me ask the question. She offered five tips…

1. The lighting is very important. Is the sun out or are you close to a window? Chances are, your photos will look better with natural light, but if you understand your camera, you will discover how to edit them to make them look much better.”

2. Think about what you want from the photo and what you want your end goal to be. Consider why you are taking it in the first place and what you want it to show well.

3. Do your research into composing and learn about the rule of thirds. You will never take a photo the same way again and they will look much more professional, even on a smart phone.

4. Move around and take photos from different angles. Then you will discover what looks best and what elements you want to focus on.

5. Whilst you’re taking the photo, think about what you plan to do with it after. Consider how you’re going to edit it and where you are going to put it and who you want to show.