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.

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."

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.

I loved working with Edna on this model portfolio photoshoot.