How would you describe what you do as a photographer?
I think that within my approach to photography, I like to capture the world how I see it. Especially being a film photographer, I don’t particularly retouch or do any digital manipulation, unless it’s required for the concept of the shoot. I really like to take a natural approach – one that almost lends itself to a documentary style of portraiture.

This style has led me to work across various types of photography; portrait, fashion, beauty and music. I also book a lot of private client work doing maternity shoots. These are quickly becoming one of my favourite kinds of jobs – they’re so personal and meaningful.

What are the main influences and inspirations behind your work?
I like to capture concepts and stories that surround themes of relationships and self-expression, as well as narratives that deconstruct the male gaze. I want to give women from all backgrounds images they feel represented by.

Did you have any specific training for what you do?
I would call myself a self-taught photographer. Although I did study art and design alongside graphic and media communications, I’ve had very little formal training. I did some classes on analogue film processing between the ages of 12 and 15, but other than that I’ve learned in my own time. I was also given cameras throughout my childhood by my family, so it’s something that has always been an activity in my life.

What’s been your favourite project to work on from the past year, and why?
In regards to my personal projects, I’ve done some more shoots for my Girls at Home project - where I find I can really connect with the person I’m shooting with. I’ve also done a very cool shoot for an upcoming project that visually explores different themes within ADHD in women, which should be published in June. In terms of commercial projects, I recently worked with one of my dream clients, YouSwim.

What was your journey like when you were first starting out?
When starting out, I mainly worked on personal projects to develop full bodies of work that had a substantial amount of research behind them. This also allowed me to develop a passion for the images and work that I was creating. I used to make photo books and hold various small exhibitions to push my work further.

I also did a lot of work with modelling agencies and smaller brands or university students. Mainly I found ways to build my portfolio and collaborate with others to find what I enjoyed shooting most and figure out my personal style.

How did you go about landing your first few commissions?
Most of my first clients found me through Instagram, with the majority of them being independent music artists. Many of my bigger commercial clients were secured through email outreach on my end, or clients finding me through social media.

What has been your biggest challenge along the way?
Finding my niche in a highly competitive creative scene has been pretty difficult. As a photographer or any creative person, you have to market yourself and network extensively. Although it can be challenging, it’s all worth it in the end when you book that job or publish that editorial.

How important are social media and self-promotion to your work?
I think that social media has become very difficult to navigate. It’s definitely one of the most important and impactful tools, but lots of platforms only prioritise very specific content – photography often doesn't get the reach that it used to.

Or, we now have to make video content and formats like reels, which is a big workload on top of the actual client and personal projects we already have to do.

Overall, it can’t be avoided, so I just try to make it as fun for myself as I can, often by filming a lot of BTS on set to make fun TikToks and Reels.

What are three things that you’ve found useful to your work or career, and why?
First, having a group of friends who also work freelance. It’s always good to have people that you can bounce ideas off of and have honest conversations with, who fully understand your field and what you’re dealing with.

Next, get a British Journal of Photography membership. You can enter all their competitions for free and also get a copy of their magazine, which always has beautiful and inspiring pieces in it.

Finally, TikTok! It's really good for tech advice, and reviews of things and locations. You can find short-form answers to most questions you may have. It’s also one of the best marketing tools out there right now.

Have there been any courses, programmes, initiatives, access schemes or job boards you’ve found helpful?
The Photographer's Gallery has a ‘Develop’ course, which I only found out about recently. 'Develop' is a three-year programme that supports and commissions emerging creatives aged 18-24 through a series of talks and workshops around a photography-based outcome each year.

I haven’t done the programme myself but I held a talk about my work and career for the gallery, and it was a really fun experience and allowed me to connect with young creatives and give them advice on their journeys.

What have been your greatest learnings with making money and supporting yourself as a creative?
Alongside working freelance, I've always had a part-time job. Freelancing comes with many highs and lows and it takes a lot of continuous success to really be able to support yourself with no supplementary income.

I think that when it comes to having a second job, it’s important to work for a company or have a boss or manager that understands what your true goals are and is happy to let you have flexibility in the workplace. I know that this is very hard to find, but it is possible.

At the moment I'm lucky enough to be the manager of a cool plant shop, with a boss that understands my freelance life. Most of my colleagues are also freelancers across different fields, so we all work around each other's schedules. It's made for a very healthy work environment.

What’s the best career-related advice you’ve ever received?
It sounds super cliché – but be persistent and keep going, even when it feels tough. When freelancing, you need to learn how to accept the word ‘no’, or face that people won’t always reply to your emails. It can be hard to not take rejection personally, but it’s really not personal. People are busy, and people forget to reply or your style may not be for that particular client, but the right client will love what you do and your time will come.

What advice would you give someone looking to get into a similar role?
With photography, you just have to start shooting. Get on Pinterest and figure out some simple ideas then find a friend to execute the idea with.

The beginning is always about figuring out your style. That can only be achieved by doing! Technical skills play a part of course, but you really have to just go for it.