I’m writing this because I’ve hit that point. You know the one. Where everything feels a bit messy, you’re juggling too much, and no matter how on it you think you are, things are still slipping through. That’s been me recently. Too many tabs open, too many things to keep track of, a few missed messages, constantly feeling like I’m catching up instead of actually being in control of things. And if I’m honest, it doesn’t look great. Not because the work isn’t strong, but becau

If you run a business and spend any time on Facebook, you have probably seen a message like this: “Hi! I’m a designer building my portfolio and I’d love to create something for you for free.” It might be a website. It might be a logo. Branding, social media graphics, packaging, or “just one quick thing”. And to be clear, we all started somewhere. Every specialist was once learning, experimenting, and building experience. There's nothing wrong with that. But there are a few th

We know the situation.Your budget says DIY. Canva is calling. The template looks decent. Close enough, right? When you're running a business, especially in the early days, doing things yourself feels sensible. You are being careful. Resourceful. Smart. And honestly, DIY does have its place. But when it comes to your brand design and visuals, DIY often ends up costing more than it saves. Let’s talk about why. DIY looks cheap because it is DIY design usually saves money upfront

It's something I’ve thought about often. Why do people pick one service provider over another? And what makes them turn away? I don’t think it's ever just about price or technical skill. Those things matter, of course, but what seems to matter more is trust. People want to feel confident that the person on the other side understands their needs, listens, and will follow through. They want clarity, reliability, and a sense that their project is being cared for, not just proce

Let’s talk about job searching. Actually, let’s talk about work in general right now. I freelance. Most of the time, I enjoy it. I like the autonomy, the variety, and the ability to focus on doing good work. But freelancing also means constantly looking for clients. Explaining what you do. Why it matters. Why it is worth paying for. I know this probably sounds like a moan. Sorry. But right now the world feels like a very negative place, and it is hard to see the good in it. A

Every time I scroll through my feed, I see someone declaring their undying love for their new mirrorless setup. It’s smaller! It’s faster! It can track a butterfly’s eyelash mid-flight! Good for them. Genuinely. But I’m over here, still rocking my trusty DSLRs, and honestly? They’re doing just fine. My old faithfuls My cameras and I have been through a lot together: long wedding shoots, dodgy weather, the occasional accidental drop (don’t judge). I know exactly how they’ll be

I’ve been freelancing as a designer and photographer for years, and it’s not all sunsets and “doing what you love.” Some days it’s just doing what you can and trying to keep the spark alive. You spend hours tweaking proposals, sending out quotes, posting your work, trying to “stay visible” (whatever that actually means). And then… silence. Then out of nowhere, someone messages asking for a quote. You send it off, half expecting to never hear back, and they actually say yes. J

Alright, let’s chat. AI is popping up everywhere right now, from writing emails to redesigning your living room before you’ve even had your first coffee. And if you’re a designer, you might be wondering… is this thing coming for my job? Short answer: nope. Long answer: keep reading. AI is cool… but also kind of weird I’ll be honest, AI can do some seriously impressive stuff. I’ve played around with Photoshop’s generative fill, and when it works, it feels like wizardry. But wh

Let’s get this straight: design isn’t decoration. It’s communication. And colour is one of the loudest voices your brand has. You can have the best product or service in the world, but if your colour palette is giving mixed messages, your audience might scroll right past you. Colour psychology isn’t just about choosing your favourite shades, it’s about setting the tone, guiding emotions, and helping people feel something before they’ve even read a word. So, what does colour

There’s a common misconception about what a graphic designer actually does. People often assume we handle everything visual - from managing social media to editing videos. And while all those creative roles are brilliant (and often overlap), they’re not the same. I’m a designer (and photographer), and what I do is a little different. My job isn’t just to make things look nice — it’s to make them mean something. Design and photography with strategy Every project starts with

Let’s be real for a minute: talking about money is awkward. Especially when someone drops the classic line: “Oh, I know someone who can do it cheaper.” I get it. Budgets are real, and yes, you can always find someone cheaper. But when you hire me as a designer and photographer, you’re not just paying for a few hours of work. You’re paying for years of experience, hard-earned skills, thousands of pounds invested in gear and education, and a whole lot of thought, care, and crea

Let’s be honest — as a designer (and photographer), I love a good creative challenge. Throw me a new brand to shape or a visual story to tell, and I’m all in . But do you know what really gets me excited? A clear, thoughtful design brief. Yes, really. Because behind every stunning visual, every scroll-stopping photo, and every “oh wow” client reaction… there’s usually a rock-solid brief holding the whole thing together. The brief is the blueprint Think of a design brief like