Hi, I’m Sarah Wills a Clapham-based London personal brand photographer. Ultimately, I help female entrepreneurs build the business they’ve always wanted. By sharing professional photos that portray who you are and what you’re all about, you’ll create an engaging online presence and differentiated personal brand that your audience really connects with and buys into.
The most important part of my job as a brand photographer is that my clients feel at ease in front of the camera. (Yes, it’s possible!) I take natural photos that capture the essence of who you really are. That’s the formula for brand photos you love so you will actually post – an essential step in enjoying the benefits of an elevated online presence.
Sarah is warm, friendly and makes you feel very comfortable. I absolutely loved my recent brand photoshoot and would do it all over again if I could. It was such an enjoyable experience and I’m so happy with all my final photos.
Kate stewert
About Sarah Wills
If I were to answer the icebreaker question “Tell us 3 things about you” (which I don’t because I finally escaped corporate woohoo!) I’d say:
- I’m a crazy cat lady. If you have a cat, we will get on like a house on fire!
- I’m a serial marathon runner. You’ll often see my sweaty face running around London while training.
- I’m a proud biker! I set the goal of getting my motorbike license before I turned 40 and have the leathers to prove it.
So how did I go from corporate monotony to an in independent personal brand photographer in Clapham, London?
How I Accidentally Became a Personal Brand Photographer
My work life had been pretty textbook. I went through the motions and ended up working in marketing. It wasn’t a bad job, it’s just I hated working for other people. The problem was I couldn’t think of a business to start or a way into self-employment. So I plodded on.
About 6 years ago I got my first proper camera as a birthday present from my husband and fell in love! After years of wanting to work for myself, I’d found my passion. I practised A LOT and learned from other photographers including my wedding photographer.
When I’d built up the skills to go from amateur to professional photographer, I started Sarah Wills Photography. At first, photography was my side hustle which I did in my spare time and my corporate job was my main source of income. Then slowly over the last 5 years, I transitioned to become a full-time personal brand photographer. (I can’t believe this is my life!)
It took a lot of practising what I preach like stepping in front of the camera, putting myself out there and getting visible. I show the person behind the camera so my audience can get to know me which is important if you’re going to trust a brand photographer to take photos of you! It’s paid off because, as the old saying goes, people buy from people.
The Biggest Misconception I See As a Brand Photographer
Getting professional brand photos taken is a luxury.
I’ve had clients tell me that their photoshoot was a birthday present to themselves or something similar. I’m all about treating yourself but I strongly believe that everyone deserves photos of themselves that make them feel good. (Whether it’s your birthday or not!)
You are good enough. You don’t need to look like a supermodel or someone else to be successful or to be valued. I want you to have photos that you look at and say “I look good in that. I feel good about myself.”
I’ve spent years hating photos of myself but I’m getting better at it and being a business owner has been a big part of that. The hardest part about building a business for me has been the confidence to say “Hi, I’m a brand photographer and I’m not too bad at it. I take a pretty decent photo.” I think it comes back to what many of us were taught when we were younger. It’s rude to brag. No one likes it when you talk highly of yourself. I took that to heart and found it hard to shine a light on my skills and talent.
To build my business I had to shift my mindset about promoting myself and gain the confidence to say “Look at me. This is what I do.” It doesn’t come naturally to a lot of female business owners but it should because you’ve done the amazing thing of starting your own business. That’s such a huge thing. It should be celebrated. We should be able to talk about it.
The alternative is to miss out on opportunities to win new clients, make a real difference to those clients, grow your business, use your amazing skills and talent, and have the financial and time freedom to live the life you want. I don’t want women to miss out anymore. One photoshoot at a time, I want to make women feel good about promoting themselves.
I’m the London Brand Photographer for You If…
1. You’re a female business owner based around Clapham or in London who left the corporate world to work for yourself and do something you’re passionate about. You’re in desperate need of photos to put on your website and level up your social media profile but you’d rather run 5 marathons than step in front of the camera. That being said, you want to feel comfortable promoting yourself with photos that engage your audience and inspire them to enquire about working with you.
2. You’re part of a small team on a mission based around Clapham or in London and want to share your mission with more people. The standard headshots haven’t engaged your audience or fully portrayed what you’re all about. You’re open to creative headshots, team photos and even behind-the-scenes shots you can share on your website, social media profiles and other marketing material, sharing the personalities in your team as well as the overall company brand.
Upgrade your online presence, feel more confident when promoting your business, and reach the people you want to help with brand photos that exude personality and professionalism and build connection and trust.