RAF Photographer on balancing military service with a master’s degree
03 October 2025
Royal Air Force (RAF) Photographer Leah Jones has built a career shaped by the power of visual storytelling. While serving in the RAF, Leah chose to pursue Falmouth’s Photography MA (Online) course to strengthen her practice and prepare for life beyond the military.
In this interview, she shares how the flexibility of studying online enabled her to balance deployments with a master's degree, the inspiration behind her final major project In Her Uniform, and why she would encourage other military personnel to take the leap into higher education.
Could you share a little about your journey as a photographer in the RAF, and what led you to pursue postgraduate study?
As an RAF Photographer, my work has taken me on operations and exercises in high-risk environments, where I have seen firsthand how powerful photography can be in recording and communicating events. Those experiences made me want to study photography more deeply, to understand all aspects of the practice and develop my work beyond a purely military context.
What made you choose Falmouth University’s MA Photography (Online) in particular?
I chose Falmouth's online Photography MA for the flexibility of the course as it allowed me to study alongside my RAF career. The online format of the MA worked really well because I could balance studying with military commitments whilst deployed overseas.
I also liked how supportive the course team were. I could connect with tutors and peers throughout the course, and this helped me to explore new directions in my practice.
You managed to study while on deployment. How did you make it work in practice?
Studying whilst on deployments was a challenge, however I managed by using my available downtime to study and kept in regular contact with my tutors. The online flexibility of the MA was key in allowing me to work away from home.
Can you tell us about your final major project In Her Uniform – how the idea came about and what you wanted to explore?
In Her Uniform came from my experience as a military photographer and my interest in how women are represented in the Armed Forces. I wanted to explore how identity is shaped by the uniform; both how it creates a sense of belonging and how it can sometimes conceal identity. I wanted to create something honest and impactful that speaks to the tension between the strength and vulnerability of being a woman in the military that often goes unseen.
'In Her Uniform' by Leah Jones
'In Her Uniform' by Leah Jones
How has completing the MA influenced your confidence, skills, or career as an RAF Photographer?
The MA has given me more confidence in my work and has helped me to think differently about my photography practice. It has also given me guidance for the direction I want to take my career when I leave the military.
For now, I want to keep developing my photography in the military, but when I leave, I hope to move into photojournalism and focus on telling meaningful stories in different contexts.
What would you say to other military personnel who are considering studying an online course with Falmouth?
I'd say that studying while working is achievable, even with a busy military schedule. The online format of the Photography MA is flexible, and there are many opportunities to connect with tutors and peers, which makes the workload manageable and really rewarding.
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