How we choose to express ourselves as photographers often emerges from the tools we use - whether that be the camera, lens, lighting setups, backgrounds, or as I discussed in the last article, the studio (yes, I think of the studio as “gear” just as I do the camera). In this post, I want to talk about my camera setup and some of the most useful pieces of kit I use in the studio.

I've had six studios over the course of the last five years, and each one of them brings a different character to the type of work that I do, whether that be in the background walls or the flooring, or the position of the windows to produce different types of light, the size of the space, the height of the ceiling, or in something less tangible - the atmosphere in the space, whether it feels like a domestic space, whether it feels like a creative workshop space, or more of a corporate office space.

Over the years there has been a shift in how I generate leads for my business. In this post I want to discuss the various methods that I have used and where I think you could put your energy to help you generate more leads, especially in the beginning.

2026 marks the fifth anniversary of starting my portrait and headshot photography business (May is the actual anniversary), so I have decided to publish a series of articles to recount the process, hopefully providing some meaningful lessons along the way.

I had the pleasure of working with London based model Helen Festin this week.

I decided for this shoot to use entirely natural light from the window in my small studio, which is always a challenge as the we have to shoot super close to the window to get the angle of the light right.

In every shoot I try to do something different. I want to add in a new element, try out a new idea, push in a different direction than the day before. I’m restless, frustrated by sameness - in both my own work and the work of others. I’ve always had this restlessness, this getting bored easily. I grew up in the countryside and would spend hours inventing games for myself because I had no siblings to play them with.

During our conversation, Kezi shared insights into her creative process, highlighting her penchant for capturing the mess of everyday life. This approach isn't about creating picture-perfect scenes but focuses on authenticity and the beauty of imperfection.

This week, we sit down with Tom Wright, a UK-based photographer whose career has evolved from wedding photography to commercial photography and now to coaching and training. Tom also hosts the podcast About Creative Experience

Jonny attracts diverse clients, all drawn to his unique ability to reveal the profound and personal through his lens. "The range is wild... from designers to boutiques…But lately, it's photographers from every corner of the earth, which continues to amaze me,". Jonny's work transcends aesthetic beauty, transforming lives. Reflecting on social media's double-edged sword and the quest for authenticity, he observed, "Despite its flaws, social media has been pivotal to my success... It's about rediscovering photography and, in doing so, coming back to myself."

This week on Photography Adjacent, I sat down for a chat with Neal Haddaway, a man who wears many hats, including environmentalist, international developer, activist, and photojournalist

In this week's episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Robyn Davie - a forward thinking photographer and entreprenuer from Johannesburg, South Africa.
Delving into the heart of Robyn Davie's work, we explored how her global journey profoundly shaped her approach to photography and leadership. The narrative is one of adapting to change, embracing community, and leading with a commitment to empowering the next generation of photographers.

Ami's journey transcends the boundaries of traditional wedding and portrait photography (which they became known for over the last decade), venturing into the realms of personal evolution, self-discovery, and the power of community through their work with Snap Photo Festival (Snap) and their personal brand, The Wolf and the Wild Thing, which focuses on photography, life, and business coaching.

Over the years, Sean honed his headshot photography skills, capturing actors from aspiring students to award-winning talents. His work has opened doors—landing his subjects roles on Netflix and Viaplay. More than just taking their picture, Sean elevates his subjects, helping them stand out in a competitive industry.
Sean's approach to photography is deeply rooted in photorealism. He takes the time to understand his clients, listening to their needs. His goal is to capture their personality in a natural way. He enhances the portrait with a minimalist editing style without creating an artificial image—something that we need to hold on to more these days with the emergence of AI-assisted photos. Sean's photos aren't about perfection; they're about showcasing the real person.

Brighton based headshot and portrait photogrtapher Jacqui McSweeney shares her story from blagging her first job as a press photographer in a Czech bar through to working 26 years as a wedding photographer and now turning her highly honed skills to headshot photography

Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Photography Adjacent Podcast, where our explorations extend far beyond photography. In our first episode, Tom Trevatt interviews Dwayne Brown, a photographer with 40 years of experience and the founder of Headshots Matter. Dwayne emphasizes the importance of curiosity and humility in photography, as well as the evolution of his career from commercial photography to focusing on headshots. He discusses the creation of Headshots Matter, a platform that connects photographers with clients looking for headshot services. Dwayne also highlights the supportive community within Headshots Matter and the valuable resources it provides. The episode concludes with discussing the future of Dwayne's photography career and the significance of storytelling in headshots.

Calypso Cragg, actor’s headshots

This year, your favourite bright yellow photosharing app, Snapchat, which has offices all over Europe, North America and the Middle East, put on a huge multi-location headshot day for all their staff.

I love using hand painted backdrops for my portraiture.

I had the great pleasure to work with the Museum of the Home to put together a promotional shoot to advertise their Alms Houses as available for fashion or film shoots. In this shoot I worked with two models and two members of staff to produce a selection of environmental portraits that showed off the Alms Houses.

Many of these images were inspired by my love for Dutch painting.