Location is like a character in your story. There is always so many locations to use from, especially in London. Here’s all the information you need to choose a location for your next shoot including how to co-create with your photographer.
Read MoreEmbark on an introspective voyage of the soul, where the photographic medium intertwines with the timeless echoes of Shakespearean tragedy. "Lost Daughter" awaits you, ready to awaken emotions, provoke introspection, and offer a collective embrace as we navigate the delicate balance between light and dark, despair and healing.
Lost Daughter ran over the summer of 2023 and culminated in a private view where we celebrated with a glass of something cold, heard from the creators as well as poets performing their own work about grief. Music created by the plants of the location set the tone to contemplate and spend time with the images…
Read MoreBrainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power by Nina Menkes is a deep dive analysis into the subject/object in Hollywood movies and curates a huge range of film examples (about 175!) from 1896 - 2020 that adhere to specific camera techniques and tools that on the surface seem creative choices but on deeper dissection reveal and reflect the disempowering of women via male directors, cinematographers, distributors and agents that perpetuate only one perspective. This blog considers this male gaze and alternatives to this way of seeing.
Read More“The collaborative photoshoot called “Mrs Robinson” is about women empowerment. Four women share their stories set in the 1960s but are actually happening in 2022. The photo shoot is the brainchild of branding and editorial photographer Donna Ford, who wanted to create a “Mad Men” inspired shoot for a while. When the International Women’s Day 2022 theme was announced based around ‘Break the Bias’, this gave Donna the perfect opportunity to go ahead and make her idea a reality.”
Read MoreWhy am I writing a blog about confidence? Because every time I book in shoot, a huge role of mine (apart from planning, directing and executing the shots) is to gently lead and encourage my courageous sitters to awaken their confidence. It’s the most important part of my work. I don’t want you to walk away with nice photos unless they’ve changed you and helped you step into your truth. And here’s the thing…
It’s completely natural to feel threatened when you step in front of the lens.
But it’s possible to transform that fear into something empowering and this brings me to why I care so much about learning about and nurturing confidence in others. And why I care about our relationship with confidence and how it affects and shapes our whole lives.
Read MoreWe have or may not have heard of the female gaze because we are so often fed stories and perspectives that consider the heterosexual male as the primary audience. This has been the way of things for a couple of thousand years so it’s hard to even notice this biased perspective. But screen theorists starting picking up on it about 50 years ago when Laura Mulvey coined the phrase. Learn about the way that women photograph and capture other women and films to explore this way of perceiving.
Read MoreYou feel the call for a photo shoot but something is holding you back. Which voice do you trust? Why has procrastination got a hold on you? How can you tune into your inner mentor? This blog unravels the deeper cause of all these issues and some ideas to tune into yourself and if you’re really ready, how to get excited about your photoshoot. There are 11 areas to journal and consider and a little wisdom from a surprising source - Dr Zeuss! I envisage a world where women are seen and heard, may this blog encourage more of you to be visible.
Read MoreI wanted to share some thoughts on this painful subject as someone who has traversed this path for over 20 years. A path I would never have chosen and yet I find myself on. Whether you have lost someone due to death or a breakdown of a relationship, loss of a pet or even a career or job, there are huge emotions and complex trauma to navigate in a society where the stiff upper lip prevails. And I hope that it helps you support those you love when they are grieving too. This is a very personal post and if I can help one person process their pain and find hope in the darkness then I’m glad I’ve done it. Please reach out if there is anything that resonates or you’d like to get off your chest. Love Donna x
Read MoreWhat stories do we tell? What stories are we telling ourselves? Why do we tell stories? Why are stories important? Where would we be without stories? What stories are we hiding from ourselves? What stories need to be told?
Read MorePhotographers shoot all year round and some of us have our preferred seasons. I love them all but particularly love winter. Read more about why this is a sublime time of year to shoot and see some examples of my work from the end of last year.
Read MoreIn this little corner of the digital world I present the first in my UNSPOKEN series which aims to unveil stories of women that need to be told. But first we need a little introduction…
I thought I would run through how a branding shoot works from the very first contact right through to delivery of the images, and beyond so you can see everything that a brand shoot can achieve for you. I also want to show how your brand visuals and identity are so much more than the location, what you wear and the tone of the photos, but also hugely influenced by the edit - which is one of my favourite bits of the creative process.
Read MoreChoosing a branding photographer is a big and personal decision and not one to be taken lightly.
You are trusting someone with your face, body and personality. It’s quite an intimate relationship and you don’t want to feel disappointed with the money, time and energy you invest in it. In fact it’s this dilemma that makes us procrastinate for so long and keep putting it off.
Learn 8 ways to make a decision with clarity and intention in my latest blog.
Read MoreBranding can feel like an elusive term so let me demystify a few things and get you excited. Because you are the brand…
Read MoreBack by popular demand, my 45-min headshot mornings are back. The two locations are super versatile and should be accessible to all Londoners and those out in Kent. Beckenham Place Park and the Southbank - both of which have interesting and diverse backdrops, colours and textures to compliment any business. Book soon to avoid disappointment!
Read MoreBack by popular demand, my 45-min headshot mornings are back. The location is the versatile Beckenham Place Park which has interesting and diverse backdrops to compliment any business. Book soon to avoid disappointment!
Read MoreIt’s the show on every one’s lips at the minute! Why is Normal People capturing everyone’s imagination at the minute. Is it the exceptional acting, brilliant storytelling or because we can all identify with the plot? Or maybe there is a little more going on in the cinematography and aesthetics that powerfully draws us in. Read on to see some artistic decisions that enhanced the viewing for me and drove the narrative in such a beautiful way
Read MoreWith personal branding shoots off the cards during lockdown I wanted to offer something to small businesses to help them through this tricky time. So I’m offering a resource that usually only my clients have access too and also offering free shoots. So grab them while you can!
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