A TALENTED photographer is hoping to see his career soar after landing a high flying commission for an international airline. Eighteen-year-old Jonathans Cox’s photographs of passengers departing on Jet 2’s Newcastle to New York flight were chosen as the winning entry for the aviation company’s annual competition.

The Cleveland College of Art & Design Foundation Diploma student was approached to document the transatlantic voyage after representatives from the airline viewed examples of his work online.

“I was contacted on Facebook and asked if I would take pictures of one of four special flights to New York which the airline put on once a year,” said Jonathan, of Ingleby Barwick.

“I was asked to bring along my passport and then basically let loose within the Jet 2 terminal to photograph staff, check in, passengers waiting at the departure gates and people boarding the plane.

“It was a shame I didn’t get to go on the actual flight itself but I did get to use the intercom system on the plane to instruct everyone and to photograph the pilot in the cockpit.”

The New York flight is one of four transatlantic flights commissioned by Jet2 each year from airports in East Midlands, Leeds,Glasgow and Newcastle.

Airline staff from each region compete to put on the best passenger experience, with check in desks decorated asCentral Park, bell boys to help with luggage and bucks fizz on arrival.

Photographs from each region are then sent to head office to decide upon the winning airport.

“The airline wanted the pictures the next day so I was straight back into college to download and process them,” said Jonathan.“It was two weeks before I heard anything then I got a text to let me know that my pictures had helped Newcastle win the competition. “As well as getting my accredited photographs put on the company website they also sent me a hamper of wine, chocolate and sweets. “Being just 18 it’s important that I grab as many career breaks as possible and this was an incredible opportunity to work with such a prestigious client.”

Jonathan is also set to strengthen his links with the Big Apple in the coming year after being asked to shoot a clothes campaign for a New York based fashion brand.

Downtown New York, which specialise in street wear, has asked the young photographer to shoot a selection of hats for its spring summer line.

“It’s all about networking,” said Jonathan. “I liked the brand so contacted them over the internet and they sent me some of their items to photograph.

“Its great experience all backed up with practical and academic teaching that I get here at CCAD. “I’d love to do photography full time and am hoping to go on and do my degree in Commercial Photography at the College’s Hartlepool campus.”

The Northern School of Art art and design lecturer Andrew Edwards added: “Jonathan is so passionate and dedicated about photography and has a real ability to express himself through the camera.

“He now has a big client on his portfolio which will make a huge difference to his ability to get additional work and will open up even more opportunities before he graduates.”