Being a Photographer, or running your own business, is more than just a job – it’s a lifestyle. As a day in the life of a Photographer, no two days are ever the same. The beauty of working for yourself is the freedom to work with a variety of independent businesses, capturing their unique in an authentic way for marketing. From bustling cafes to artisan product shoots, my schedule is a dynamic mix of creativity, business, and balance. And I love it!
Every day starts the same way: with a damn good cup of coffee (or my morning iced matcha!) As a Photographer, I know the value of good lighting, and that extends to my workspace. Mornings are my time to catch up on admin, respond to emails, and plan upcoming shoots, with headspace and inspiration. Or to capture products in the best light possible – especially in the winter! Whether I’m coordinating with an independent restaurant for a food shoot or finalising details for a product shoot, this time is essential for setting the day’s direction and allows me to catch up on all your lovely enquiries in the mix too.
By mid-morning, I’m usually heading out to a Lifestyle shoot, meeting an independent business owner who has booked for fresh, authentic content for their brand. These shoots could be anything from capturing a chef at work to photographing an artist at work in their coastal studio. When people ask what I niche in as a Photographer, I always explain I offer Brand & Business photography for marketing purposes as a broad term, as the different kind of businesses I work with varies so much. Another thing I love about what I do!
On other days, I swap location shoots for my studio, styling a product shoot. Creating beautiful, engaging images for independent brands is what I do for half my shoots in the week, providing product photos they can use for E-commerce platforms such as Etsy and Not on The Highstreet. Whether it’s a handcrafted candle, a curated jewellery brand, or a new line of merch for a client. Every product shoot brings something different, and that’s what makes my own work so rewarding.
Being so flexible means making my own schedule, and one of my non-negotiables is a midday break to walk my pup, Marnie. It’s the perfect way to reset, get a beach walk in on the Devon & Cornish coast, and have some headspace from the laptop and editing. Most days, I make a cafe stop along the way, supporting local businesses while taking a moment to recharge before the next project. A flat white is a non-negotiable!
The afternoon is often spent behind the screen again, editing images and preparing content for delivery (or fitting in a sea swim in my breaks). After this is when the afternoon settles and magic happens, refining each shot to ensure my clients have high-quality visuals that elevate their brand – oh I just love the editing stage! I love doing this in the afternoon as I have the time to cosy up and focus on providing the best selection from our shoot. Running a business means juggling multiple roles – shoot planning, emails, editing, styling, directing and my content marketing all fall under my responsibility as an entrepreneur.
As the day winds down, I take note of what’s been achieved and prepare for the next day. Another completely different day ahead! Some evenings involve working on projects, networking through my Instagram or catching up with other creatives in the industry. Others are simply about unwinding, cooking a nice dinner and embracing the flexibility that comes with this lifestyle.
Being an independent Photographer is about more than just taking photos to me; it’s about storytelling, connection, and creating meaningful content for independent businesses. No two days look the same, and that’s exactly why I love it. The blend of creativity, flexibility, and entrepreneurship makes this business so fulfilling – and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
