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From soldier to storyteller - Michael’s life comes into focus
When Army veteran Michael Glass picked up a camera over a decade ago, he had no idea it would be the tool that helped him heal and propel him into a creative career.
After 23 years of service in the Army as a soldier and later a civilian contractor, Michael found himself between jobs.
Struggling with his mental health and searching for a new purpose outside of uniform, he picked up a camera as a way to document life’s moments, and it slowly became more profound.
“Photography has saved my life. At first, it was about healing, but it’s given me purpose over time. It’s allowed me to grow, build relationships, and rediscover myself,” Michael said.
That rediscovery took a significant step forward in 2022 when he enrolled in a Diploma of Photography and Digital Imaging (CUA50920) at TAFE Queensland’s South Bank campus, after a simple Google search led him to the course.
“I had already been shooting for my own benefit, but I wanted formal qualifications and the chance to make connections in the industry. I wasn’t working then, so I had the space to give it everything,” he explained.
Michael credits the facilities, expert teachers, and industry-focused training for giving him the knowledge, skills, and confidence to turn his passion into a profession.
“The teaching staff were incredibly professional and supportive. They gave me the one-on-one guidance I needed to refine my technical skills and push my creativity further,” he said.
“We had everything we needed, and the South Bank campus facilities provided the perfect environment to learn everything from lighting setups to analogue photography techniques to editing in Lightroom and Photoshop.”
Michael particularly enjoyed the variety of creative challenges the course provided.
“Trying different techniques, especially analogue photography, was fantastic. That, and the people - both staff and students - made the experience special,” he said.
He also found familiarity in TAFE Queensland’s practical training approach.
“I was already familiar with TAFE’s training model from the Army - the style was quite similar. It was relevant, up to date, and the staff had strong links to the photographic industry,” he said.
Michael’s dedication and training soon translated into recognition, with his striking high-contrast black-and-white portrait series of explosive ordnance disposal soldiers, created for his final assignment, displayed at the South Bank Student Showcase Exhibition during the Brisbane Photography Festival in 2023.
Then, the accolades kept coming.
His photographs won first place at the Queensland TAFE Student Photography Exhibition, earned him a top 10 spot in The Mono Awards 2023, and secured him the runner-up title in Australasia’s Top Emerging Photographers 2024 portrait category.
This year, Michael entered the NZIPP National Iris Awards, his first professional competition, after hearing about them during a Diploma business lecture.
Despite not thinking his work was at the right standard, he submitted his entries and came away as a finalist in the photojournalism category.
“The entry process was very simple, and I had no expectations going in. To be recognised at that level was incredible and a sign that I’m on the right track,” he said.
Michael admits the Diploma also boosted his confidence in managing the business side of photography, an area that can often be daunting.
“I’m much more confident now, especially with the business side of things. I shoot a lot of sport regularly, which keeps my skills sharp,” he said.
Looking ahead, Michael has his sights set on a dream role.
“My ultimate goal is to work as a staff photographer for Getty Images, covering the Olympic Games. In five to ten years, I hope to be with Getty or another international photography agency,” he said.
For now, he continues to build his career as a monochromatic portrait and sports photographer, while encouraging others to consider TAFE Queensland for their own creative journeys.
“I’d definitely recommend TAFE. With government programs like Fee-Free TAFE, it’s such an affordable option for future study,” he said.
Michael’s journey is a testament to how creative education can spark new beginnings, restore well-being, and lead to extraordinary success.
“Photography filled a void for me, and with TAFE Queensland’s training, it became so much more – I’ve found my purpose again,” Michael concluded.