Branding & Empowerment Photoshoots

Why do women never get their photo taken just for fun?

Why are we programmed to hate ourselves literally the second we pick up the first fashion magazine or see an advert on a billboard. Why do the media constantly compare and create fictional fights between successful women?

And why do so many people hate Taylor Swift? Seriously, what is up with that!

What if we did something radical and did something just for ourselves and had our photo taken just because we wanted to. Even more radical idea - what if we then took our favourites, printed them, and put them on the wall. I don’t think the world would explode but our children would see those pictures, see mummy celebrating the body that literally brought life into the world, and they would feel differently about female bodies. They would see women prioritising themselves. They would see women having some fun. They would see women looking powerful and loving themselves. Wouldn’t the world be a better place if some of that energy was floating around?

In a way having your portrait taken for no reason other than wanting to celebrate yourself and your body is an act of rebellion in a patriarchal society.

Weirdly that puts tears in my eyes as I write this because why should it be!? Why do women have to be such undervalued, overworked, invisible members of society unless you have limbs the length of the Eiffel tower, swishy hair and porcelain skin?

So I have made it my mission to make women feel safe, celebrated and powerful in every branding shoot that I do. The last half an hour of my branding packages are for fun only. The outfit that you love but never comes out of the back of the wardrobe - the ballgown, the one with the sequins, the one you think is a little bit too low at the front, the robe that makes you feel great but are too shy to wear in public. Yeah that one. Grab that and lets go. These photos don’t ever have to make it onto the internet. They can just be for you. Love them, print them, send them to someone you love if you want to or just keep them in a drawer.

And hell, you can use them in your business if you really love them. They’ll be more interesting than a stale smile at your desk…

Here we were going for a water nymph concept, I grabbed the heaviest tulle dress known to man and jumped in a lake so unbelievably cold it took my breathe away. The results are creative, exciting and interesting, but it’s the way I feel about the image that is the magical part. Gorgeous photo by the incredible @fieldsphotographystories

Now I’m not suggesting that you need to take your clothes off or wear something see-through…

I realise there are a lot of photos on the internet of me in all sorts of barely there outfits. That’s just what makes me feel empowered. The rush of artistically being captured in a way society tells me I shouldn’t feels like sticking up two fingers at the patriarchy. It also does WONDERS for your self confidence. Don’t believe me - take your phone on a tripod with a timer and go and play in the bath with some bubbles. The creativity of it makes you feel alive and black and white photos just hit right.

I’m in front of the camera in various forms so often now that I joke with my partner that there’s so many ‘artistic photos’ of me on the internet that I’m slowly ruining any future political career… But I practice what I preach. I get in front of the camera often so I know exactly what it feels like. Let’s be clear I am no model. I do not know what I am doing with my limbs, my face has a mind of its own and the photos are very much a collaborative effort with the person taking my photo, their undeniable skill and me shaking off the nerves and the weirdness. I show up with energy. That’s all you really need to feel empowered on a shoot.

But empowerment doesn’t have to look like a see through gown in a lake… If power suits, capes, ruffles or sequins are your vibe lets have some fun with what makes you feel good. If you want to sage a bonfire then lets do something really cool with that orange glow, or smoke trails. If you just want to bask in sunshine then lets watch the weather and head out in the most dreamy of light. If you want to wear jeans and t shirt and get soaked in the rain, I’m you’re girl (I’ve not been shot doing this yet but it is 100% on my list!).

From bright clothes, bubbles & tulle, to cold saunas and a power suit, all of these women left our shoot feeling great about themselves, empowered and posted these photos all over the internet within about 5 seconds of receiving them!

So, how do you achieve this empowered feeling?

Two options - you can embrace the empowerment vibes at the end of your branding shoot. Your business can fork out for some fun for you. Because the patriarchy would simply die at the thought of it.

Alternatively, if you’re ready to show up and just want a shoot for you. Let’s chat. I can create a bespoke package just for you and whatever makes you feel good. No idea is too wild. And I love a voicenote, so lets get those ideas flowing.