Lucy And The Lens

Category: Opinions

  • I’m not fully booked yet

    I’m Not Fully Booked (Yet)… But I’m Closer Than I’ve Ever Been

    Can I be honest?

    I’m still not getting as many clients as I’d like.
    There are days when I wonder if all the content, planning, and energy I’m putting in is actually working.

    But what’s changed is me.

    I’m no longer just “posting and hoping.”
    I’m showing up with more intention — creating content that actually speaks to the people I want to work with.
    I’m getting clearer on my message, on my offers, and on who I’m here to serve.

    And the small wins? They’re adding up.

    More DMs and phone calls from people curious about what I do
    More eyes on my work
    More ideas that feel aligned instead of just busy

    It’s not instant. But it’s working.

    Because building a business isn’t just about being fully booked overnight, it’s about building trust, consistency, and momentum over time.

    So if you’re not “there” yet either… that’s okay.
    You’re allowed to be a work-in-progress and proud of how far you’ve come.

    DM me or comment if you’re in this stage too, I’d love to connect with others on the same path.

  • Client Spotlight

    Here’s today’s spotlight post. This is Sophie one of my clients who released her first ep last year. She hires me to do her Ep covers when she releases a new song. Sophie came to the studio fully prepared with props and I brought her vision to life. Going with the yellow background really complimented Sophie’s outfit. She let herself be in the limelight and these are the results. You can listen to Sophie’s songs @sophieadamsonmusic wherever you find your music. Sophie was also on bbc music introducing with one of her songs. This is what happens when you stop hiding and give yourself a chance. Are you ready for results like this? Then dm me or comment on this post.

    #mibmarathonday27 #clientspotlight #epphotos

  • Defining success

    Success is something that is really hard to define. Last year I felt like I was failing but when I did a look back at the last 10 years last year cause it’s currently 11 years since I graduated from my undergrad. I realised something else. Success can be many things and what was achieved in that 10 years is success. A bachelors degree, a masters degree, magazine publishings, competition wins, fencing gradings and a good level of fitness, setting up my own business and finding communities I belong in.
    Success is when that client rebooks you again and again. Success can just mean that something is going well for you. Success doesn’t have to be black and white it can happen over time, even when you don’t realise it yourself. You can’t have success without failing multiple times and learning from your mistakes. There isn’t one thing that success can be there are many things.

    mibmarathonday25 #howdoyouviewsuccess

  • Things I no longer tolerate

    Here’s what I no longer tolerate:

    1. Trying to please everyone, you just can’t. It’s okay if not everybody likes you.
    2. Working with clients or spending time with people who don’t respect my time, value, or creative process.
    3. Saying yes out of guilt or fear of missing out.
    4. Chasing opportunities where I feel drained afterwards.
    5. Accepting little to no energy from people expecting my maximum effort.
    6. Strange comments on social media that require a block.
    7. Having no work life balance.
    8. People sharing others work without giving credit.
    9. Shooting for exposure.
    10. Being talked down to or mansplained.
    11. People assuming it’s just a side hustle.
    12. Pretending that business is perfect when it isn’t always. I want you to see when things don’t work as well as when they do.

    Do you agree with these and could you add any?

    mibmarathonday22

  • What I’ve learned so far?

    Here’s what I’ve learned so far by taking part in the MiB Marathon:

    1. Consistency really is the key to engagement and making connections. I’ve noticed this since I started posting a reel each week and I’ve noticed it even more since the 30 day challenge.
    2. Talking directly about your audience’s pain points and desires helps them self-identify and think, “That’s me!”
    3. A clear, warm Call to action encourages action, without being pushy.
    4. Sharing the why behind what you do and not just what you offer helps people connect with your values.
    5. Showing your face on socials as well as your work is really important because people buy into your brand and you are the brand.
    6. You don’t have to show up with perfection all the time you can show the messy parts and people still comment.
    7. It’s okay to show vulnerability and insecurity as well as the good parts of business.
      This is what the MIB Marathon has shown me so far.
      And I’m just getting started.

    mibmarathonday18

  • If you had a magic wand what would your perfect photo session look like?

    Today I’m asking if you had a magic wand what would your perfect photo session look like? Answer in the comments. #mibmarathonday16

  • Overcoming challenges

    Throughout my life, so far, I’ve had my share of challenges. Growing up, I struggled to make friends and dealt with bullying through high school and even parts of university. But by my mid-20s, I had worked through a lot of that pain and found myself surrounded by genuine, supportive friendships—people I can truly count on.

    Work hasn’t always been easy either. I faced ongoing struggles in that area for a long time, but I’ve been actively working to change that. I’m not exactly where I want to be just yet, but I’ve made real progress. Creating a second stream of self-employed income has given me more flexibility and stability—especially during quieter months—and that’s already made a noticeable difference this tax year.

    If there’s one thing I know for sure about myself, it’s this: no matter what obstacles come my way, I don’t give up. I keep showing up and finding ways forward.

    Tip: Wherever you are in your journey, give yourself credit for how far you’ve come—and remember, pivoting isn’t a setback. It’s a strategy. #mibmarathonday14

  • Unpopular opinions

    Here are some unpopular opinions I have as a photographer.

    1. Black and white doesn’t automatically make a photo more artistic
      If the photograph is bad in the first place it’s not gonna make it better it’s just gonna make it moody and bland. There are occasions where it does work but that’s usually an architectural marvel or a portrait that needs some mood.
    2. Free shoots “for exposure” are rarely worth it
      I did a lot of free shoots when I first started and not a single one of them resulted in a paid client later on. The only ones that have, were shoots I did as part of my masters that I wasn’t allowed to charge for.
    3. Editing isn’t lying
      Retouching an image is part of the art form it doesn’t change the truth of it.
    4. Street photography isn’t automatically ethical or deep
      Candid shots of strangers don’t always mean something and they often raise consent issues. There are times when you shouldn’t take that image for ethical reasons but there are other times when the results are fabulous.
    5. Over-posing kills authenticity
      Posing too much can make the image look fake and robotic and not like a human.
    6. Not everyone should shoot weddings
      Just because it’s pays well doesn’t mean your personality type or style fits in with the pressure and emotional stakes.
    7. The “rule of thirds” is optional
      Following compositional rules too strictly leads to predictable and boring work, it’s far more interesting to know the rules and how to break them.

    What are some unpopular opinions you have share in the comments?

    mibmarathonday13

  • My Superpower

    My Super Power is Making people feel seen and confident in who they are.
    When it comes to finding clients all I care about is that you’re a nice person and, that we have the same or aligning values when it comes to work.

    My top 3 are creativity, connection and motivation.

    Photography doesn’t start with a camera it starts with a conversation. Graphic by: @emiliaclarecreates

    mibmarathonday4

  • What is the best way to capture special moments at events?

    What is the best way to approach capturing special moments at events ?

    Some argue that the best way to approach capturing special moments when photographing events is to be as unobtrusive as possible. Others say that it’s best to be upfront and proactive, seeking out those special moments. There is no wrong answer, but there are some things to keep in mind when making your decision.

    If you choose to be unobtrusive, you’ll need to do some research ahead of time. Learn about the event you’ll be photographing and what moments are most important to capture. Then, position yourself in a spot where you’ll be able to get the best angle without being in the way. This may mean arriving early and staking out a spot, or it may mean moving around during the event to get different angles. The key is to be prepared and to know your gear so that you can be as unobtrusive as possible.

    If you choose to be upfront and proactive, you’ll need to be comfortable approaching people and asking them to pose for a photo. This approach works best if you’re already familiar with the people at the event, but it can also work if you’re quick on your feet and good at reading people. The key is to be respectful and to know when to back off. Again, research is important so that you know what moments you should be capturing.

    There is no wrong answer when it comes to capturing special moments at events. It’s all about knowing your gear, being prepared, and being respectful. But whatever you do, make sure you enjoy yourself – because that’s the most important part of any event.

    If you are simply aware of the key moments that are happening, be ready to photograph them. If you talk to people ahead of time, you can find out their expectations for the event and what moments they would like captured. You can also set up a specific photo area at the event.

    Here are a few examples of moments I have captured at events: