Johnny Craig was not happy with his job in a taxi firm, so he decided to take the plunge and study something he had always enjoyed.
It all proved worthwhile yesterday as the 44-year-old from Aberdeen picked up a degree in commercial photography from Robert Gordon University (RGU).
His journey to graduation began at North-East Scotland College, where he took an introductory course before completing a Higher National Diploma.
He said: “Getting a degree and a proper education was always my ultimate aim, even though it took a long time to get there.
“I spent my teenage years in care and the last two years of school education in a residential school where we only got maths and English and mandatory classes.
“I always felt my education was lacking in what I really wanted to do, which was photography.”
After working for four years towards graduation, he now has a firm plan for the years ahead.
“I’m setting myself a five-year target of one day having a small shop or gallery where I can not only produce and market my own work, but the work of other local photographers too.”
He would encourage others to follow his path of returning to the classroom.
“I would advise anyone thinking about education later in life to just go for it,” he said.
“There is absolutely nothing to lose and you’re never to old to learn something new, or to follow your dreams.”
