3 things to do in your yoga retreat to make it stand out
I am a yoga and wellness photographer and a yoga teacher. I have been on many retreats either as a teacher or as a photographer and I can now discern what is needed to make a yoga retreat unforgettable.
Yoga retreat at the Quaives… number two
As it turns out, The Quaives is a very popular destination for yoga retreats. Having now been there twice, I understand why. The studio is gorgeous, the countryside is peaceful and the bungalows are luxurious. Being there in the Autumn was such a joy as we got to use the Swedish hot tubs in the sunset and go on Autumnal walks early in the mornings, which was such a sweet way to ease into the season and renewed my love for it.
How yoga teachers can benefit from personal branding photography
“I'm a yoga teacher, why do I need branding pics? I first got into branding photography when someone approached me and said “I need asana pictures but also some more ‘lifestyle’ pictures for other parts of my business”.
What I would do if I had to teach yoga full time again
As well as being a photographer I am also teaching and I have had a lot of conversations around the subject. My partner is a full time teacher and my best friend just completed her first teacher training. I have given a lot of what I believe is fairly sound advice to both of them, even though they are at different stages of their career. I love teaching but have become disenchanted by yoga studios and like many I have been treated poorly by some - two instances being fairly recent. I have the privilege to have another skillset I am using to make money but there are many things I would do if I had to pursue teaching full time.
Branding photoshoot for Mim
Mim transitioned from yoga teacher to digital marketing coach, with a focus on helping female entrepreneurs & brands get seen online.
She wanted pictures of her being engaging and working, but she also needed pictures for her Instagram feed to be able to create reels covers and photo carousels. She already had a lot of pictures of her working on a laptop from a previous photoshoot, but realised she was lacking images of her looking at the camera and seeming approachable and friendly.
3 things to do now to break free of yoga studios as a teacher
I am a wellness and personal branding photographer and before that I was a full time yoga teacher.
I went through the grind of teaching for studios, running across London, chasing private students in order to make ends meet. I am fortunate enough that my photography business took off and I was able to take a step back. Here is my advice for yoga teachers.
Branding photoshoot for Emerald Peseah
Emerald is the first of my clients (and so far only) who got in touch through Tiktok.
We met on a steamy hot day in London to take branding pictures in an even steamier studio. The heat made us change our setting and move things around and I am so glad we did because the pictures turned out dreamier than what I had originally planned.
Branding photoshoot for Sally Connor
Sally and I have been insta friends for a few years. I write and share a lot about my eating disorder recovery on my yoga instagram and I think this is how Sally found me. We have had many conversations about body dysmorphia, fatphobia within the yoga industry, and all things ED recovery.
She reached out to me for a photoshoot months before the actual date - to get mentally ready. To hold herself accountable. And on the day of the photoshoot … She smashed it.
Branding shoot for Angie Brand
Angie used to run a yoga studio at the heart of Deptford in London. I was lucky enough to teach there for a few month, before Angie made the decision to close it. She decided to pivot and develop her personal brand instead. She now specialises in pain management and injury prevention, because of how her practice transformed the last few years. She wanted to showcase the personal care she puts into her 1:1 consultations, and cover all sides of her business including what is going on behind the scenes. Here is the result!
How I practice the Niyamas as a yoga photographer
I’m continuing on my philosophical and spiritual exploration of how I use yoga in my business as a yoga photographer.
3 myths that prevent you from booking a yoga photoshoot
I need to be good at asana to have my picture taken… The same way you don’t need to be “good” at asana to be a teacher or a practitioner, same goes for a photoshoot. We take these pictures in order to be credible and visible when we put ourselves out there as teachers - it means that you want to show up authentically to find your people.
4 myths about using photography for your business
Over the course of my career I was met with different reactions to the idea of having your picture taken in order to promote something such a yoga teacher - the idea of “branding” can seem somewhat incongruous when talking about teaching yoga.
How I practice the Yamas as a yoga photographer
I don’t think I ever expected to put “Yoga Photographer” as my job title - and yet here we are. I started yoga as a movement practice, and like many of us it became the gateway to what is now my spiritual practice. And if there’s anything to know about any spiritual practice, it’s that they are not separate from life: they ARE life. So I try to apply this philosophy to the way I conduct my life, and to the way I conduct my business. Here are some of the things I implement to work in line with my value system.
3 reasons why professional yoga pictures work for your business
I have been a photographer for over 10 years now and as someone who has always been reluctant to invest in my business because of a lack of financial stability, I can only relate to those who can be skeptical to do so too. However since I have decided to take myself seriously - I invested in a business course, an accountant, a business coach … - there is no turning back!