What I learned from stepping in front of the camera (and why it changed everything).

As a brand photographer, I know how important it is to show up. But planning my own shoot? That’s a different story.

For the longest time, it sat on my to-do list - something I’d “get to soon.” But I realised I was putting it off in the same way many of my clients do: too busy, not ready, waiting for the perfect moment.

Spoiler: there is no perfect time.

I ended up planning my shoot the same week I was flying out to LA (definitely not ideal), but once I set the date, I had a clear focus. It became something to work towards - a milestone. Yes, I ran out of time for a few things, but if I hadn’t just gone ahead and committed, I’d probably still be procrastinating.

The Location

I had my heart set on one location for a long time. I looked at others, but nothing quite hit the mark. And honestly, I think that’s important. If you know how you want your final images to feel, don’t settle. The space you choose sets the tone for everything - and while it was an investment, it was 100% worth it for the final results.

The Stress of Outfits (and Why I Got Help)

What to wear ended up being more stressful than I expected - which caught me off guard! So I asked for help. I brought in the amazing Alex Agboke, a stylist I work closely with and she was invaluable.

She asked the right questions: What kind of impression do you want these images to give? How do you want to feel when you see them? How do you want to show up for your business?
She did a colour analysis on me (based on my skin tone), and pulled together style boards with outfits that aligned with my goals. Suddenly, shopping had purpose. I knew what I was looking for and the pressure definitely lifted. These style boards also formed a way to create some of the shot-list, as I was able to see what outfits I wanted shot where, and made the process a bit more streamlined on the day.

Her support was honestly worth its weight in gold and it reminded me how powerful it can be to get a bit of extra guidance when you’re too close to your own brand.

Why I Needed This Shoot

The truth is, I’d reached a point of frustration. My imagery felt stale, I lacked inspiration and I could feel myself pulling back from showing up.
And like most of my clients, my work always comes first - so my own shoot kept slipping down the priority list.

But once I made it a non-negotiable and set the wheels in motion, it felt like a huge weight had lifted. The momentum shifted. I started feeling excited again - not just about showing up, but about my brand as a whole.

The Fear of Being Seen

When my own insecurities and doubts started creeping in, it instantly made me think of all the things my clients have said to me over the years…

“I want to lose weight first.”
“I hate my hair right now.”
“I just don’t feel confident in my skin.”

And I get it - I really do. Because I found myself thinking some of those same things, too.
What if I don’t like how I look?
What if I post the photos and people notice the things I’d rather they didn’t?

But here’s the thing:
Those thoughts - the ones that feel like they’re protecting us - are actually just holding us back.

No one is picking apart your features the way you are.
They’re not zooming in on what you’d change.
They’re connecting with you. Your presence, your energy, your intention.

Of course, there are images of myself I’ve overanalysed.
Ones I’ve looked at and thought, “Hmm, not my favourite angle.”
But if I let that stop me from showing up, I’d be the one missing out.

On opportunities.
On growth.
On building a brand that actually reflects who I am.

You don’t need to be perfect to be powerful.
You just need to be visible - and that begins with allowing yourself to be seen, as you are, right now.

Hair, Makeup & Support on the Day

I booked in professional hair and makeup - and yes, it felt like a lot of makeup in the moment, but I knew it would read beautifully on camera. It gave me the confidence boost I needed.

My husband came along too, and honestly, having that support made the day run so much more smoothly. He drove me down to the studio, helped unload the car, set up a clothes rail, ran for snacks and coffee - just generally being a huge help!

If you’re planning your own shoot, I highly recommend bringing someone with you, even just for the practical bits - outfit changes, tidying up, keeping the energy. You’ll be surprised at how fast the time goes.

Final Thoughts

This experience reminded me, deeply, what it feels like to be on the other side of the lens. To feel the nerves. To overthink what to wear. To hope the vision in your head translates into something beautiful.

And it made me even more passionate about guiding my clients through this process - with clarity, care and support.

If you’ve been waiting for the perfect time to show up... maybe this is your sign.
Start. Book it. Commit. And let everything else start falling into place around it.

Behind the Scenes of My Own Brand Shoot