A new photography collaboration between Wirral Council and Wirral Met College is giving 41 local students the chance to step behind the lens and showcase some of the borough’s most atmospheric and lesser-known locations.
Building on a series of successful past projects, the initiative pairs real-world creative experience with a purposeful mission: to celebrate Wirral’s landscapes while nurturing young talent right on its doorstep.
A Partnership with Purpose
For Wirral Council’s Place, Culture and Visitor Economy Team, the project reflects a long-standing belief in the mutual value of working with local students.
“This project builds on previous successful collaborations, increasing work experience opportunities for students whilst supporting the local authority to promote our wonderful borough,” explains Beci Hughes from Wirral Council.
The council sees the work not just as a photography commission, but as a shared endeavour that strengthens cultural identity and illuminates corners of the peninsula that many visitors may not yet know.
Showcasing Wirral’s Hidden Gems
As part of the brief, students are photographing a curated selection of key locations stretching from coastline to countryside.
“Students will be focusing on a number of key locations including Leasowe Lighthouse, Royden Park, Birkenhead Priory and Oxton Village,” says Beci. “We chose locations that may be new and unfamiliar to visitors, inviting them to come and explore what these parts of Wirral have to offer.”
These varied backdrops give students the chance to experiment with mood, composition and narrative while creating a visual portfolio that benefits both their coursework and the borough’s visitor appeal.
Creating Opportunities for All
Central to the project is a commitment to inclusive, meaningful experiences for young people. As Beci and the Wirral Council team note, the commission aligns directly with the 2025 Council Plan objective of “Brighter futures for our young people and families – regardless of their background or where they live.”
By integrating hands-on creative work into the students’ education, the initiative expands access to real client briefs, local heritage sites and community-driven culture. It also connects with wider council efforts such as Youth Markets, broadening participation in Wirral’s cultural economy.
Learning on Location
For many students, the opportunity to photograph on location alongside tutors has been a highlight. Lelaani Moreland, a Level 3 Year 2 photography student, describes the experience:
“The opportunities to go and take photographs live with the tutors allowed us access to places that we wouldn’t normally get to and the ability to ask technical questions in real time.”
These moments, standing inside historic buildings, waiting for the right light, refining settings on the spot, are the kinds of learning opportunities that can’t be replicated in a classroom.
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- Maria Micheal 5 L3 photo
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- Euan Jewell 4 – L3 photo
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- Leah Shotton Port Sunlight – L3 Photo
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- Maria Micheal 4 photo
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- Ben Darnton – L3 photo
Guided Creativity and Professional Standards
Wirral Met College tutor Lesley Rigg explains that the project is woven into the curriculum, giving both Level 2 and Level 3 students a structured yet creatively flexible brief.
“Most of our projects involve the whole of one year group, the Visit Wirral brief fits in with the curriculum for all of the courses they are enrolled on,” she says.
Students analyse both natural and man-made landscapes, exploring how light, composition and mood can shape a viewer’s sense of place.
But what makes a photograph stand out? For Lesley and the Wirral Met team, it’s a blend of artistry and purpose. “A great photo is one that has technical and artistic merit, one which both fulfils the client’s requirements and demonstrates colour, mood and composition.”
Building Skills, Confidence and Futures
Beyond producing beautiful images, the collaboration is helping students understand what it means to work professionally, how to meet briefs, communicate visually and verbally and handle real expectations.
“This type of project is vital to teaching employability skills and giving the students opportunities which they may not otherwise have,” Lesley says.
A Growing Creative Community
For Wirral Council, such collaborations reflect an ongoing commitment to invest in creativity, culture and young people. As Beci notes, the team is always open to new ideas:
“If you are interested in future collaborations with the Place, Culture and Visitor Economy Team, please get in touch – we’d love to hear your ideas.”
As the students’ images begin to surface, they will offer not just a fresh perspective on the Wirral, but a testament to what can happen when education and local government come together with a shared vision: to spotlight local landscapes, support the next generation of creatives and celebrate the stories waiting to be told across the peninsula.
The photographs will be used across Wirral Council comms as well as on the Visit Wirral website and social media, giving young Wirral residents the chance to showcase their home borough to visitors near and far.