The Photography Foundation

What The Photography Foundation does

The Photography Foundation (TPF) is a registered charity in England & Wales (charity number 1187723) founded in 2019 by Dom Graham-Hyde and Mikael Johansson to address socio-economic barriers preventing young Londoners from entering photography and the wider creative industries. Its flagship offering is a six-month, in-person commercial photography training programme for 18-25 year olds that combines technical skills (digital, studio, editing) with professional skills (freelance practice, client handling), mentorship, portfolio development, and work on real commercial briefs. The programme is delivered at a co-working studio in the Design District, North Greenwich (London SE10), equipped with camera kit, Mac workstations, and editing software (including a free one-year Capture One licence for trainees).

The organisation supplements the core training programme with a public events programme (talks, workshops, exhibitions; ticketed via Ticket Tailor), an annual £2,500 social/environmental documentary photography grant co-delivered with LIMI London, Arts Award pathways, outreach workshops for schools and youth organisations, a YouTube video library, and a structured volunteer programme. The underlying technology stack is a standard Webflow-hosted website integrated with Mailchimp, Substack, YouTube, Typeform (applications), Stripe (donations), and social platforms (Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn) — there is no proprietary platform or AI/ML component.

TPF's revenue model blends philanthropic and commercial streams: heavily subsidised programme fees (£950 with payment plans; free bursary places allocated via Minimum Income Standard household-income criteria), individual and corporate donations, corporate sponsorship and in-kind support from equipment/software partners (Leica, Fujifilm, Capture One, Shutterstock, Square Enix, Big Sky Studios, NOW Gallery, Photobook Cafe, Magnum Learn, PhotoMeet, Harrod's, Sony World Photography Awards, NCVO), grant co-funding (LIMI London), and ticket/event revenue. JAMMA International has been the strategic partner since inception. Geographic scope is explicitly London-only — the organisation states it is unable to deliver programmes outside London due to resource constraints.

Name

The Photography Foundation

Legal name

The Photography Foundation

Website

https://thephotographyfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Photography Foundation is a London-based registered charity that delivers a six-month commercial photography training programme, events, grants, and outreach for 18-25 year olds facing socio-economic barriers to creative careers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Arts Education

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Commercial Photography (541922), Motion Picture and Video Industries (5121)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAHAJ

Media Arts & Film/Photography Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Arts, Culture & Heritage Nonprofits

SECONDARYEDAAAGAF

Photography & Videography

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Personal Enrichment & Hobby Learning (Arts, Crafts, Music, Cooking)

SECONDARYEDAMAAAC

Photography & Videography Arts Programs

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Arts & Creative Enrichment (Visual Arts, Music, Theater, Dance)

SECONDARYEDAGAKAG

Multimedia Learning Production (Video, Animation, Interactive)

Education/Educational Publishing & Learning Content/Instructional Design & Content Development Services

Keywords

• Photography education
• Commercial photography training
• Creative industry grants
• Youth mentorship programmes
• Community workshops

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Funding: As a registered charity (number 1187723) in England & Wales, The Photography Foundation relies heavily on donations from individuals and organizations. Strategic partner JAMMA International has supported the organization since its founding in 2019.
2. Training Programme Fees: Subsidised programme places at £950 with payment plans available. Free bursary places provided based on household income criteria. The programme is heavily discounted from market rate to support operational costs.
3. Event Revenue: Public events programme including talks, workshops, and exhibitions with ticket sales through Ticket Tailor platform. Events are open to all ages (16+).
4. Partnership Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors provide donations, commercial briefs, kit donations, resources, and collaboration support. Partners include Leica, Fujifilm, Shutterstock, Square Enix, Big Sky Studios, and others.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Photography Foundation delivers a six-month commercial photography training programme for 18-25 year olds, combining workshops, mentorship, portfolio development, and real-world client brief experience at its North Greenwich studio. It supplements the core programme with public talks, workshops, exhibitions, an annual £2,500 documentary photography grant delivered in partnership with LIMI London, Arts Award support, outreach workshops for schools and youth organisations, and a video resource library.

Product overview

The Photography Foundation operates as a single unified offering centered on its six-month Core Training Programme for 18-25 year olds, supplemented by a Public Events Programme of talks and workshops, an annual Photography Grant (in partnership with LIMI London), Arts Award support, Outreach & Enrichment workshops for schools and youth organisations, a Video Library resource hub, and a Volunteering Programme. These offerings are interconnected components of a single educational mission rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Core Training Programme A six-month commercial photography training programme for 18-25 year olds providing workshops, mentorship, portfolio development, and work experience through real client briefs, delivered at the North Greenwich studio. Free bursary and subsidised £950 places available based on household income criteria.
• Public Events Programme Public engagement events including talks, panel discussions, workshops, networking sessions, and exhibitions open to ages 16+ with ticket sales via Ticket Tailor, covering creative learning and career development topics.
• Photography Foundation Grant Annual £2,500 grant awarded for social or environmental documentary photo essays, with up to 12 months project duration, co-delivered with LIMI London charity and usable for travel, equipment, or living expenses.
• Arts Award Support Arts Award supporter programme offering photography-focused workshops, events, and resources to help young people aged 25 and under achieve Discover, Explore, Bronze, Silver, and Gold Arts Award levels.
• Outreach & Enrichment Workshops Bespoke photography workshops, assemblies, and talks delivered at schools, youth clubs, and community organisations across London covering creative, technical, and professional photography skills.

Quantifiable outcome

• 698 applicants demonstrating high demand for programme
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• JAMMA InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Strategic partner from the organisation's founding in 2019. JAMMA International supported the vision, formation, and growth of The Photography Foundation. Essential partner without whom the charity could not operate as it does today.
• LeicasupportingOthersEquipment supporter providing camera equipment and resources to support the training programme and operations.
• FujifilmsupportingOthersEquipment supporter providing camera equipment and resources. Fujifilm has collaborated on events and workshops.
• LIMI LondoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrant-giving charity partner that co-delivers the Photography Foundation Grant. LIMI London provides £2,500 annually for social documentary photo essays. Founded in 2021.
• Capture OnesupportingOthersPartnership providing trainees with one year free access to Capture One editing software as part of the training programme.
• Harrod'ssupportingOthersProvided studio tour of Harrod's e-commerce photography studio for trainees to gain industry exposure.
• Big Sky StudiossupportingOthersPartnership providing studio tours and industry exposure for trainees and alumni.
• The Photobook CafesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on exhibitions, talks, and workshops. Partnership focused on reaching diverse audiences through joint events.
• NOW GallerysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on exhibitions, talks, and workshops. Partnership to expand reach and impact in the creative community.
• Magnum LearnsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on educational events and workshops bringing industry expertise to trainees and community.
• PhotoMeetsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing free portfolio reviews for selected alumni to support career development.
• ShutterstocksupportingOthersDonor that provided support enabling the creation of the video library resource for emerging photographers.
• Sony World Photography AwardssupportingOthersIndustry partner supporting events and activities.
• NCVOsupportingOthersVolunteer organisation providing infrastructure and support for the volunteer programme.
• Square EnixsupportingOthersSponsor supporting events and activities at The Photography Foundation.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Roundhouse: London-based charity delivering creative programmes (music, media, performing arts) to young people aged 11–30 from underrepresented backgrounds. Directly comparable in mission, geography, and youth-focused creative education.
• Lensational: Nonprofit delivering photography training and equipment to empower girls and women in underserved communities globally. Directly comparable as a photography-education charity using the medium for social impact.
• FotoDocument: Nonprofit using documentary photography to address social issues, offering grants, education, and exhibition programmes. Directly comparable in social-documentary photography, grants, and education.
• Ideas Foundation: UK charity working with young people from low-income backgrounds to develop creative and media-industry skills, with corporate partner briefs. Directly comparable in creative education and industry-brief model.
• Free Arts NYC: US nonprofit providing arts education, mentoring, and resources to underserved youth aged 4–25, supported by artist volunteers and corporate partners. Directly comparable in mission and youth-arts charity model.
• Create (UK): UK charity empowering children and young people facing disadvantage through creative arts projects and partnerships with professional artists. Directly comparable as a creative-arts education charity for disadvantaged youth.
• Photovoice: UK-registered charity using photography as a tool for empowerment with marginalised communities, including structured programmes, exhibitions, and training. Directly comparable as a photography-led social-impact charity.

Broad incumbents

• International Center of Photography (ICP): New York-based institution offering photography education, exhibitions, and community programmes across skill levels. Established broader incumbent in photography education and youth community engagement.
• Prince's Trust: Large UK youth charity supporting 11–30 year olds into education, training, and employment, including creative and enterprise programmes. Broader incumbent serving overlapping target audience with wider scope.
• Magnum Learn: Educational arm of Magnum Photos offering photography workshops, courses, and resources for aspiring photographers. Established incumbent in paid photography education with which TPF partners; overlapping student audience but commercial model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@photographyfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/photography-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/photographyfoundation
• TikToktiktok.com/@photographyfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Photography Foundation