Nice to meet you, I’m Laura – founder and creative at Laura Shimili Mears Photography!
Photography has always been about people and their dreams for me — not just capturing how they look, but who they are and how they want to be seen.
I started Laura Shimili Mears Photography because I kept meeting brilliant professionals and founders who were hiding behind outdated or low quality photos, or no photos at all. People who have built remarkable careers or businesses but the online presence doesn’t reflect or match it.
My background is in marketing and communications, which means I bring both marketing skills and a genuine understanding of the professional world my clients operate in.
I know what’s at stake when a potential client or employer looks you up — and I know how much the right image can change that first impression.
Based in Tooting, South-West London, I work with clients across Wandsworth, Wimbledon and the wider London — from founders to leaders and executives building their personal brands, to corporates and businesses who need consistent, high-quality imagery across their platforms.
Every session is relaxed, guided and built around the client.
What I love as a photographer and creative?
→ Getting to know the people I work with, learning their stories and life lessons.
Following a redundancy in 2017 I decided to start my own business following my old passion of becoming a photographer. I have been that – a professional photographer for the last 9 years in London, which has been brilliant, meeting lots of people, being creative and also learning a lot about myself.
A range of photography genres
→ I have practiced in a range of photography genres from babies, families, headshots, portraits, events and corporate photography.
My studio is in Tooting and I work across London
→ I work from Tooting (where I use a number of studios that I can hire as and when I need them – which is really great and gives my work variety). I also work from people’s locations, company offices, venues and spaces we hire in London.
I believe in
→ Potential, self-development, continuous learning, positive intelligence & well-being.
Where I am from
→ I was born and raised in Tirana, Albania. As children we spent most of our summer holidays swimming in the Adriatic sea rather than the Ionian which has in the last 15 years become a major attraction. We are very lucky as my mum is from the south and we get to visit my parents there and spend time by the Ionian sea.
I have lived in 3 countries
→ I have spent most of my adult life in other countries. In France where I lived for 7 years and where I graduated in Economics and Philosophy of Economics.
That is also where I bought my first camera!
And since 2008 in London with Roger, and our 2 boys.
I love local parks and walks
→ When I am not working you will find me, walking in our local parks. I have taken Rocky our cat, with me, he loves an adventure!
Before being a photographer
→ I was a marketer working as a marketing manager and in comms as policy adviser.
Self-care habits
→ My favourite self-care habits are walks, taking breaks during the day, switching off work completely and spending time in nature.
We may be a good match if…
You’re looking to be more visible and want to grow your personal brand.
This may be in the form of photography where you look and feel good, like a celebrity doing your own photoshoot. With images you can use across your platforms and profiles. For your business or your career and professional growth.
This can be in the form of coaching and mentoring I can help as a qualified business mentor with goals, accountability, growth in an organisational or business setting.
Free Resources
I have a number of guides that I would love you to have, let me know your thoughts.
In FREE RESOURCES page you will find these guides.
“What Makes a Great Headshot” guide useful when you are looking for headshots and professional photographs.
“The 10 Most Effective Ways to start Marketing your Business Today” is a guide with information and resources for those starting a business and looking for marketing guidance.
If you would like to connect with others, come and join “The Small Business Network”
Training and Credentials
Moving careers is not easy but I did it by training with amazing photographers and organisations.
Photography Training
I have trained in studio photography, headshots, outdoor photography, personal branding, product photography and families. I am fully insured as a professional photographer.
I was hugely happy to receive bronze merits from the International Portrait Masters Awards, for work submitted in 2021 and 2022.
I have also been a member of SUE BRYCE EDUCATION .
Marketing and Coaching and Mentoring
Google Digital Marketing Certification
I completed Google’s Digital Marketing diploma in 2023 to refresh my marketing knowledge and skills from my previous marketing life.
Business Coaching and Mentoring ILM Level 5
I completed a level 5 in Business Coaching and Mentoring with the ABM (Association of Business Mentors) following the level 3 and driven by curiosity of “what it takes to support others in business”.
I am a Business Partner with
Lady Wimbledon – YOUR GUIDE TO WIMBLEDON AND BEYOND
What’s on in and around SW19: restaurants, events, news, activities, shopping, pubs, the Wimbledon tennis scene and more
The JJ Club the ultimate app for modern family life. Discover the best experiences, trusted experts, perks and a like-minded community – all in one place.
Podcasts & Articles
It is exciting to speak to people outside my regular circles. I spoke in the The Engaging Marketeer podcast and the Fire and Forte project for women in their 40s doing amazing things. I also spoke to the Albanian national TV channel about my doorstep photography project during Covid – all below.
The Engaging Marketeer
The Engaging Marketeer has regular podcasts with business owners. In my episode I share some tips on how to take brilliant photos.
Fire and Forte
Fire and Forte started in 2022 by Hannah Maude, as a platform for women in their 40s doing amazing things!
An interview for the Albanian National TV, Top Channel “Diaspora” programme
Laura Shimili Mears Photography & her Doorstep Photographs in London