We tend to think confidence should be visible. We expect it to look like certainty, ease, and a willingness to take up space.

Why do so many people feel awkward in photos? Katie shares what 187 Confidence Club responses revealed about self-image, visibility and how camera confidence can be practised.

I don't think people are lying when they tell me they feel ugly in photos. I believe them. That feeling is real. But feelings aren't always facts.

If you've started avoiding photos in your 40s, 50s or beyond, it doesn't mean you've lost your confidence. Discover why camera confidence can be learned and how to feel relaxed, natural and comfortable in front of the camera.

Why can it feel so uncomfortable to talk about our own achievements? Katie reflects on self-promotion, visibility and learning to say what she has done without immediately deflecting.

If you told me five years ago I’d be out here taking my own branding photos… smiling… posing… and actually enjoying it? I would’ve laughed in your face. Respectfully. But aggressively. And yet—here we are. Turns out confidence wasn’t the issue…

I just needed a minute (or some practice) to get comfortable being seen.

I uploaded my photos to AI and asked it to create a comprehensive personal brand image library for my website, social media, and LinkedIn. Essentially, a complete set of personal branding photos without doing a photoshoot.

And the results?

Honestly… technically impressive.

The lighting was nice.

The skin looked smooth.

There was a laptop, a coffee cup, a workspace, a camera, even a whiteboard — everything you would expect from a business heads

Women rarely come to me saying, “I want personal branding photography.”
They usually say, “I just need a new headshot.”

But what they’re really saying is:

“I don’t like my current photos.”
“I avoid posting because I hate how I look.”
“My business has evolved, but my photos haven’t.”

Katie reflects on a year of slowing down, trusting her experience, and finding a gentler way to be visible—as a photographer, business owner, mother, and woman.

What happens when you take a self-portrait every day for a month? Katie explores familiarity, self-image and how regular practice changed the way she saw her own face.

When I first started as a photographer, I worked in the fashion and music industries — two worlds full of creativity, personality, and a little chaos. I photographed artists, stylists, models, and musicians who all had one thing in common: they wanted to be seen in a way that matched who they truly were.

When we hide photographs because we dislike how we looked, we can erase parts of our own history. Katie reflects on body image, memory and allowing every version of ourselves to be remembered.

Camera position changes the story a portrait tells. Learn how low, eye-level and high angles can communicate authority, connection or vulnerability in business and personal photography.

For many women over 40, branding photography is about more than new headshots—it is about visibility. Katie explains how preparation, trust and gentle direction help clients show up authentically.

Your outfit should be something that makes you feel confident and comfortable, and your mindset should be one of self-acceptance and positivity. One without the other won't get you very far.

Good posture isn't just about standing up straight. It's about projecting confidence, openness, and a sense of ease.

Having a stylist on a shoot is a no-brainer. Pair that with my 20+ years of experience behind the lens—helping people feel natural, confident, and truly themselves in front of the camera—and you're in for a fantastic experience.

Facial asymmetry is natural, and research has shown that most people have a "better side." A study from the University of Wake Forest found that people prefer the left side of their face in photos.

This is why many people feel they "never look good in photos"—it's not that you look bad; it's just that you're not accustomed to seeing yourself that way! Do you think you resemble your photos more or your reflection?

As a photographer and a mum, I know how chaotic the day can become, so here's a guide to help you create the perfect Christmas family photo using nothing more than your iPhone.