Case Studies

We thought we’d use this space to share mentoring stories, and the work of just some of those people we have worked with over the years.

Fiona Russell

Fiona first got in touch with us earlier in the year. We had our introductory chat and we talked about what she’d like to get out of our mentoring sessions together. As a parent, Fiona had been documenting her own family life, and now wanted to explore different ways in taking photos and creating images that were a little different to the ones she had been. She wanted to work with light a little differently, and create more depth in her images. Fiona has allowed us to share her before photos with us here.

Of course there is nothing ‘wrong’ with these images, Fiona just wanted to see if she could inject a different emotion. So we worked together on capturing light in the way that reflected how Fiona was feeling. She watched how the light was falling during the day in her house. The way it created shadows by the windows and how it crept into one spot in her hallway.

Fiona also asked for a guiding hand with her videography too. She’d been creating snapshots of her own family life. Wanting this to be an extension of the way she was seeing light in her photos, I encouraged her to create a short film about the patch of light that falls in their hallway. Constraints and limitations like this can make a piece of work so much more powerful.

I worked with Fiona for 3 months during lockdown over 6 sessions, setting gentle project work throughout our time together. Fiona is creating photos and films for her own family that reflect the way she is feeling, and sometime in the future, she will be taking the next step, and setting up her own photography business to share her art with a wider audience.

This is what Fiona had to say about our time together:

“Sarah's mentoring sessions have been a complete turning point for me. I came to these sessions stuck in a rut, not knowing which direction to take my photography or filmmaking in, but after our very first session my head was spinning with excitement. I've learned so much about photography and filmmaking during our 3 months together, but even more about myself and now have a clear idea of the direction I want to go in and the confidence to do it!  

The sessions themselves are so relaxed and are the absolute highlight of my week – I only wish I'd got in touch sooner.”  Fiona Russell

ANDREA GILPIN

Andrea contacted us earlier in the year, and as she booked our 6 month mentoring programme, we are still currently working with her. We have known Andrea for a while as she has attended a few of our workshops and retreats in the past. She is a very proficient photographer and sees light so beautifully. The last workshop she came on, she mentioned that she had been thinking about setting up her own photography business, taking images for creatives, makers, and small brands. Over the last few months, we have taken her through the steps into setting up her business, working with her on the clients that will be a good fit, and developing a portfolio that really shows what is at the heart of Andrea’s style. A few weeks ago, Andrea launched, and we’re so happy for her! In the last few sessions, we’re going to be talking to Andrea about adding short films to her packages for clients.

“After attending workshops with Sarah in photography and film-making I realised that her depth of knowledge, and the generous way she shares it, were pretty unique. When I considered the different options for support for starting my photography business, Sarah’s considerable experience stood out. I kind of expected Sarah would do the mentoring equivalent of passing me a map and helping me along the rocky road. However it has been so much more. A map hasn’t appeared. Instead I’ve been shown how to create and follow my own compass. Sarah’s approach has enabled me to develop in so many areas - from technical and business skills to tapping more deeply into my creativity. I am loving every step of the way!” Andrea Gilpin

helen izzard

Helen booked our 6 month mentoring programme last year. She makes beautiful furnishings for the home, and she came to us wanting to take better photos of her products. We initially worked on Helen’s technical skills, and then we helped her develop a consistent feel and look to her images that complement her beautiful work. Helen wanted to show more of her inspirations from the natural world, and talk about the things she sees on her walks, and how they then filter into her work. It makes us so happy when Helen tells us she’s been getting compliments about her images, and hearing how much more engagement she has been getting. Here’s a before and after snapshot from Helen’s Instagram feed.

“I first discovered Sarah through Instagram and was drawn to her style of photography, the depth and emotion that you can sense in each image, and how this can be captured from behind the camera. Sarah has guided me to become a better photographer, and stretched me to achieve more than I ever expected to achieve. Both Sarah’s and Suzi’s eye for my own personal style of photography, and their clarity on the many photography footsteps and questions I have, has been inspiring and challenging, and I can’t believe how much support they have given me to achieve more than I ever dreamt possible.” Helen Izzard

Kit Ryall

Kit’s background is in photography. She studied Photojournalism, and worked in the industry for years. After documenting her own family life, and relocating back to Yorkshire, she’d been looking into the possibilities of setting up her own portrait photography business. We started working with Kit at the beginning of lockdown, taking her through the options that were right for her and for her fledgling business. She has now launched, and is offering alternative, celebratory collections, and we just love her tagline - Your Family, Your Rhythm. She has a love of analogue too!

“I started my mentoring sessions with Sarah and Suzi a few weeks into lockdown. I knew them both through my sister who had organised a family shoot with them a few years ago. I’d admired Sarah’s photographs from that shoot immensely, her style has always drawn me in, and so when I discovered they did mentoring sessions, I jumped at the chance to ask them. I love looking at her work and I knew I would also love having lots of regular chats together. 

It has been the most wonderful few months with them both. I’ve felt incredibly supported and encouraged to explore new things as well as nurture my existing style. I have found a renewed energy for photography that had been lacking in the last few years and I feel I’ve been given a huge confidence boost both creatively & with the business side of photography. I only wish I could have them as mentors all the time, they are like a warm and cosy mentoring blanket! 

Building a photography business and being a photographer is often a very solitary thing, so being mentored is really one of the best things you can do. Being able to bounce ideas off someone and open a creative dialogue has been a wonderful gift”. Kit Ryall

rosie brown

Last year we worked with Rosie as she took the first steps into setting up her business Stories By Rosie, a visual storytelling business that combines photography, film and recorded voice. Throughout our time together, our conversations often revolved our own childhood photos, and how integral this is to the photographers we are today. We worked with Rosie over 6 months, discussing her brand, her ideal clients, the right packages and products to offer for her, and the importance of project work. We have the occasional ‘top up’ chat too.

“I often wonder where I would be if I hadn’t committed to a mentoring programme with Sarah & Suzi. Would I have given the business a shot? Or would I still be sitting at home with ideas just whirring around my head, not taking action?

The regular calls not only offered a wealth of knowledge and cheerleading type support, but also kept me on track with my goals and made me accountable. With the help of Sarah and Suzi, I have learnt about pricing, marketing, invoicing, finding clients, printing. To be honest, the list goes on!

Above all, Sarah has a real understanding for me and my brand, and what I want to offer my clients. This belief has pushed me on to try and achieve my goals.” Rosie Brown