News & Useful Stuff

(also procrastination fuel – you’re welcome!)

Why I’ve moved my new year to Imbolc

Why I’ve moved my new year to Imbolc

I've mentioned in passing that I decided this year to change my new year - and move it to the start of February. While it feels like the most sensible and aligned decision I've made in some time, a few people have asked me why, so I thought I'd explain in a bit more...

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My words for 2023

My words for 2023

Each year, I choose three words to take through the year with me. They vary depending on the year I've just had, the mood I'm in and the way I'm feeling about the year ahead, but they are always useful. This year, as I made the decision to move all my new year rituals...

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What are your brand stories?

What are your brand stories?

We tell stories all the time - about our lives and the things that happen to us on a day to day basis. Stories are how humans make sense of the world, and are a huge part of how we communicate. It makes sense, then, that your business has stories too - because your...

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Tendring Business Fortnight 2022

Tendring Business Fortnight 2022

Essex never fails to amaze me with its support of the amazing variety of businesses based here. Admittedly, I started my first business shortly after moving here 14 years back, but it has always felt like a creative, supportive and entrepreneurial part of the UK -...

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Excuse the wonky bits!

Excuse the wonky bits!

Ooof, long time no post! It's been a mad few months, and I have a whole bunch of new things waiting in the wings for you - new posts, refreshed email newsletter shininess, shoot packages, exciting shop updates, and also glorious things to tell you about like a writing...

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Autumn is approaching…

Autumn is approaching…

And with it, the last quarter of the year - how did that happen? I'm currently working away behind the scenes tweaking this site to match my brand refresh, and also changing up some stuff because that's what being a business owner is all about, right? Constantly...

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Booking update May – July 2021

Booking update May – July 2021

What a difference a year makes! In normal times, but especially in covid times 🙂 I'm a bit quiet on the blogging front at the moment because I'm mid brand refresh (and cannot wait for you guys to see my new logo & look!) but here's a quick nose at my availability...

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The difference between headshots and brand photography

The difference between headshots and brand photography

If you're thinking about booking photography for your small business, I suspect you've come across all sorts of terms - headshots, brand photography, personal branding, documentary - how do you tell the difference between headshots and brand photography and decide...

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Booking update – January to March 2021

Booking update – January to March 2021

Wow, January came around fast! Just a quick update on where I am bookings wise if you're looking to work with me: Brand photography and headshot sessions can be booked now for May 2021 onwards. Mentoring is currently fully booked but I should have spaces open from...

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2020 roundup… where do I even start?!

2020 roundup… where do I even start?!

Well, that was a year... and honestly, although I've been writing these roundup posts in various places for over sixteen years, I have NO CLUE where to start with 2020. Over the Christmas/New Year break I have been looking at what actually happened apart from the...

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Booking update: September/October 2020

Booking update: September/October 2020

How the days do keep marching past - time's still feeling really oozy and I'm not entirely sure where most of 2020 has got to. However... Here's where things are at the moment for bookings: Glorious Headshot Day - 22 September In response to lots of requests, I'm...

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Booking update – June/July 2020

Booking update – June/July 2020

After what feels like a very long three months of lockdown, I am officially (cautiously) open for business properly! Covid precautions are in place following a training course last week, and here's how I can help at the moment:Brand Photography Now booking for August...

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Creating a personal brand

Creating a personal brand

Creating a personal brand can be the key to supercharging your business. You might have started your business or your freelance work because you hated working in an open plan office full of people (hi, fellow introvert and HSP!), but your business really is more about...

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Business mentoring 101 – how can a business mentor help?

Business mentoring 101 – how can a business mentor help?

All business owners sometimes have hiccups - starting and running a business is a constant rollercoaster with plenty of unexpected WTF moments along the way. (Though we wouldn't change it for the world, would we?!) Juggling all the hats you have to wear, especially if...

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How to improve your online presence

How to improve your online presence

Your online presence is like your living room (or reception desk, if you're feeling formal) on the internet. It's the very first impression many of your clients, collaborators and contacts will have of you and your business, and it's crucial that it's clear, welcoming...

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A year of morning pages

A year of morning pages

31st May marks an anniversary - a whole year of morning pages! What are morning pages? Created (in the form I'm familiar with, at least) by Julia Cameron in The Artist's Way, morning pages are three A4 pages, or approximately 750 words, of long form, handwritten...

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Why I won’t be offering virtual shoots

Why I won’t be offering virtual shoots

If you lurk or socialise in the entrepreneurial world, you’ll probably have noticed an increasing number of posts promoting or talking about the new “virtual shoots” which are taking place during lockdown. A sneaky behind the scenes snap from an actual in-person shoot...

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Support Local: Online Classes

Support Local: Online Classes

Are you missing your favourite classes? Lots of them have gone online - so now you can support local businesses and dance, stretch, yoga and a multitude of other things from the comfort of your home. Here are just a few of the wonderful local businesses now offering...

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Lockdown photography: Small Business Barbie brand shoot

Lockdown photography: Small Business Barbie brand shoot

I never did find a Small Business Barbie, even though my favourite game as a child was running a pretend business with my best friend. Seven, or is it eight, weeks into lockdown, and like you, I'm really missing my usual business life. Most of all, my clients - I love...

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Support Local: doorstep collections during Covid-19

Support Local: doorstep collections during Covid-19

As the coronavirus pandemic rolls on, it's become even more vital than usual for small businesses to somehow keep going. While tweaking the delivery policies for the stationery company I co-own, I realised there are lots of local businesses which can arrange for...

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Hello lovely!

I'm Carla - it's fab to meet you! Want more magic and a free brand story planning worksheet? Hop on my mailing list:

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