MY JOURNEY
I would love to tell you more…
What I love the most about what I do is getting to know the people I work with, learning the stories we all have and capturing them creatively in photographs that will outlive us.
I have over the years practiced in a range of photography genres and currently love working with entrepreneurs and business owners, founders and teams for Personal Branding Photography.
I work from my studio in Tooting but also on location in offices and in rented beautiful spaces.
I am a big believer in continuos learning, self-discovery and connection.
I am host to a networking group that I started in 2020 and has grown since, “The Small Business Network, Tooting”.
My first steps in photography started as a student in Paris, France. I lived there for 7 years studying something not photography related at all, economics which was fascinating nevertheless.
My Journey
I was born and raised in Albania, Tirana and have spent most of my adult life in other countries.
France where I lived for 7 years and went to University and graduated in Economics and Philosophy of Economics, a great subject that I thoroughly enjoyed in my learning journey.
London is where I have lived with my husband for the last 14 years with our 2 wonderful boys, Edward 10 and Elliot 7, who have been growing so fast and sped past the ages of babyhood, toddlerhood, preschooler and are now on the verge of teenage-hood. Our big dream as a family is to have a dog, see as much as we can of our families, travel the world and make a positive contribution.
My goal each week is to spend time doing things I love as well as work, yoga, running, spending time with family and friends and contributing to my community.
We spend our summer holidays in the South of Albania, which for those living in the UK is very close to Corfu and easy to get to from Corfu on regular ferries. It is stunning, I invite you to visit and see for yourself!
I started taking photographs as a student in Paris, and continued through the different phases of my life, graduation, working life, becoming a mum and seeing my children grow. The photography journey has been a journey of becoming a woman, building my independence, becoming a mother and growing through all my life experiences and encounters.
Making the jump to working as a professional photographer, happened organically 5 years ago when I decided to take a different direction from what I had I built over 14 years of a successful career, working in communications and marketing.
Making a contribution is very dear to my heart and I regularly support charities through my work.
The bit about my training
Retraining from a different career to being a professional photographer was an important phase and I did that by training with some amazing photographers.
I have trained in studio photography, children & outdoors photography, newborns, headshots, personal branding, product photography. I am fully insured as a professional photographer.
I am a partner with Clapham Mums online magazine designed for mums, dads and carers with the most up to date information on events & activities in Battersea and Clapham.
I have also partnered with Lady Wimbledon, an online magazine and website about all things Wimbledon.
I train regularly on different aspects of photography and have recently been awarded bronze merits from the International Portrait Masters Awards, which is an international panel of photographers that award merits and distinctions to photographers work based on a number of criteria. I won Bronze for portraits submitted in 2021 and 2022, with portraits of clients not models which makes me even more proud.
I am also a member of SUE BRYCE EDUCATION. Sue Bryce has been an invaluable resource for my own personal continued education as a business owner.
Other Parts of My Work
A key part of my business is helping companies and individuals looking to update imagery for their website, social media and marketing. More on the services I provide for Corporate Headshots and Photogaphy for Social Media.
I also run fundraising events for the charities I support and over the last 2 years I have raised £3500 through “Headshots for charity” events organised in Tooting Bec and also Doorstep Photographys during the pandemic, for St George’s Hospital Charity and Cup of Uji. More on this in Raising Funds for Good Causes.
Recent Podcast Episodes
I was excited to be invited to speak to some recent podcasts which I would love to share below.
The Engaging Marketeer has regular podcasts with business owner where they talk and discuss various aspects of the business owner life.
Fire and Forte is a passion project that is a platform for women in their 40s or more that are doing amazing things.
The Engaging Marketeer
The Engaging Marketeer has regular podcasts with business owners where they talk and discuss various aspects of the business owner life.
In my episode I share some tips on how to take a brilliant photo. Daren the podcast host is full of humour and is very engaging, I would recommend you listen in as there is something for everyone in his conversations with guests.
Fire and Forte
Fire and Forte started in 2022 by Hannah Maude, as a platform for women in their 40s doing amazing things!
On the website she shares “I kicked off Fire and Forte, celebrating women with this fire and strength, making things happen. Interviews to learn more and share their inspiring stories”.
I love Hannah’s mission and in our chat together we talk about how I turned a passion into a business and also my over 40s campaign.
Looking forward to meeting you soon.