Entering its 5th year, The APHP Headshot Bursary is a major, annual charitable initiative run by the non-profit organisation The Association of Professional Headshot Photographers (The APHP), which opens this month for 2021 nominations.

The scheme donates a headshot session with an APHP-qualified photographer to a student at 20+ major UK drama schools, each student is nominated by their school.

APHP photographers work with hundreds of UK drama students each year, and the scheme allows the APHP to contribute to the success of emerging actors across the UK at a vital stage of their training.

Rose Bruford College Graduate Joshua Robinson was one of the recipients of the 2020 bursary, and photographer John Clark took his photographers.

More information can be found here on The Stage and at www.theaphp.co.uk

APHP Chairman, Nicholas Dawkes, says:

“In the first four years of our Bursary Scheme, we have helped nearly 60 deserving students across the country by giving them headshot sessions worth £300-£500 apiece. It is a significant expense that all students incur as part of entering the profession, so these awards serve a double purpose: they not only provide awardees with the tools they need to make a success of their first year out but also reduce the pressure to take outside work so that students can focus on their training at school.”

“Many of our members began their careers as performers, so we are all keenly aware of the pressures upon actors as they start life in the industry, never more so than after this pandemic year. We are proud of the diverse group of 14 students the 2020 Bursary has supported, many of whom are celebrated here, and we hope this award makes a small difference as they step out into the acting world.”

“At the same time, we are keen for the 2021 Bursary, which launches this month, to do even more to help a diverse span of students. As well as the Drama School Bursaries will also be offering 5 new Headshot Bursaries for students from outside traditional training routes and from less represented backgrounds. Details and application process to follow.”

“Our members are looking forward to donating their skills to help even more deserving young actors at a significant moment in their careers in 2021.”

Joshua Robinson, Rose Bruford College 2020 APHP Bursary recipient, said:

“These were actually my first professional headshots, and it was a great experience. Thanks to my photographer, I have a much better idea of what I’m looking for in my future shoots.”

Niamh Dowling, Rose Bruford College’s Head of School of Performance, continues:

“The APHP Bursary is an excellent scheme which gives drama students the opportunity to hit the ground running with a professional headshot, which ultimately creates that first impression for director and agents. The expansion of the scheme to offer student from non-traditional backgrounds the opportunity to get a professional headshot is aligned to our strategic plan as a College and will be deeply appreciated by the students.”

20 schools have been invited to put forward recipients in 2021, including ArtsEd; Royal Birmingham Conservatoire; Bristol Old Vic; Royal Central School of Speech and Drama; Drama Studio London; Fourth Monkey; GSA; Guildhall; LAMDA; LIPA; London College of Music; London Studio Centre; Manchester School of Theatre; Mountview; Oxford School of Drama; Rose Bruford; Royal Conservatoire of Scotland; Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama; Drama Centre.