why authentic photos matter more than ever right now.
January is loud. New year. New goals. New pressure to reinvent yourself, optimise yourself, become a “better” version of who you were twelve minutes ago. And yet, this is often the time when people feel the most disconnected from who they actually are. More noise. Less grounding. More comparison. Less presence. Which is exactly why authenticity matters so much right now. The problem with performative imagery Perfect photos don’t build trust. They don’t feel relatable. They don’t last. Images built on performance and polish might catch attention for a moment, but they rarely create connection. And connection is what people are craving, whether they realise it or not. We’re tired of pretending. Tired of curating. Tired of feeling like we need to show up as something shinier, smaller, or more impressive than the truth.
What authenticity actually gives you.
Authentic photos do something different. They feel timeless. They build trust. They soften the pressure to perform. They let you breathe. They work for families, businesses, creatives, and everyday humans because they reflect truth, not trends. And truth has a much longer shelf life. I’ve watched clients go from single digit followers online and a slow stream of emails in their inbox, to them gaining thousands of followers and more emails than ever (and having to refer clients elsewhere as their books are full). This alone is an amazing achievement, but what really makes it worth it… They’re confident, and comfortable. Because the imagery is authentically them. They’re not having to live up to unrealistic expectations of who they SHOULD be, because they showed up as who they ARE at the start, and their audience loved them for it. One question that changes everything before you book photos Instead of asking: “What kind of photos should I get?” Try asking: “How do I want these photos to feel in five years?” That question gently strips away trends, algorithms, and outside expectations, and brings you back to what actually matters.
how this shapes my work
I don’t photograph for likes, algorithms, or appearances. I photograph for memory, connection, and meaning. Whether I’m documenting families, businesses, individuals, or moments that don’t fit neatly into a category, the intention is always the same: images that feel lived-in, honest, and deeply human. Your next step If you’re craving imagery that feels like you- now, and years from now, I share ongoing guidance, stories, and gentle support inside my emails.
Join my email list in the link below to stay connected and feel more confident showing up as yourself. You don’t need to reinvent who you are this year. You just need to remember her.
