The majority of my clients are women. I didn’t plan my business that way but as my career has progressed and I’ve found my strengths in portrait photography, word-of-mouth has sent more and more women my way. Most of them are business owners, successfully forging their own paths in life, but they’re almost always nervous about being in front of a camera. I have a knack of making people comfortable though and within minutes of meeting we bond over the ridiculous hang-ups we have about how we look or how we appear at one particular angle in photos. Meanwhile, everyone else is too busy worrying about themselves to turn a critical eye to our teeth, arms and grey hairs.

One of the best bits of my job is when my clients update their profile pictures. Their social media notifications blow up with likes and comments. I love seeing how those reactions affect my clients and, frankly, it helps quash my recurring bouts of Imposter Syndrome.

It’s empowering. New professional portraits (or headshots or personal branding images… whatever you and Google want to call it at the moment) boost confidence. Marketing materials are pushed out of procrastination. Online dating profiles are revamped. LinkedIn is updated for the first time in years.

Anyway, this wasn’t intended to be a sales pitch. Somehow it’s time for me to step up and show off my work, and International Women’s Day is the perfect opportunity to resurrect my blog.

I’m very lucky to have photographed, collaborated with, and been supported by many fantastic women who have helped shape my business over the last ten years. Yes, ten years. My big business birthday is fast approaching but that story is for another day. Today I’m here to share photos of twenty amazing women I’ve photographed over the last couple of years… plus there’s an appearance from a very special guest.

One of a range of creative headshots for young actor Olivia Thom.

Author and librettist Louise Welsh, photographed to promote Anthropocene for Scottish Opera.

Journalist, broadcaster and communications wonder Kim McAllister. This is one of the shots taken during her personal branding shoot in Edinburgh.

I’ve photographed First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at several events and she’s always great to work with and chat to. Here she is photographed at Scotland's Finest Woods Awards at the Royal Highland Show.

Filmmaker and Video Producer Ali Hutcheson of Woods Noble Video, photographed at work for Scottish Women in Business.

Personal branding photography for massage therapist with magic hands, Elizabeth Bandeen.

Scottish singer-songwriter Emma Pollock, photographed performing live at the Concert for Stewart Cruickshank.

Jane McCarry - aka Still Game’s Isa - photographed for Scottish Women in Business.

Reverend Lindy Irving, Interfaith minister and celebrant, photographed at Glasgow University’s Cloisters.

Photographed mid-meditation, this is Vicky Kakos, founder and manager of The Wee Retreat, a meditation and wellbeing centre in Glasgow’s southside.

Pop star Be Charlotte, photographed during a collaborative recording session with Scottish Opera.

Bookbinder Cass Barron for National Trust of Scotland.

Portrait of Freelance Digital Marketer Briony Cullin.

The Movement Therapist aka Clare Grattan, pilates teacher and personal trainer extraordinaire.

Emma Gwynne for Headstrong. Life coach, NLP coach and performer.

Chief Executive of mental health charity Lifelink, Jacqui Taylor.

Wedding photographer Sarah Craig, just casually lying on a floor of confetti while I perched on a ladder above her.

Tracy Scott, Co-founder and CTO of Xeyex, and Vice President of Scottish Women in Business.

Dr Christine Merrick, Biologist, photographed in Glasgow University Library. This was mostly directed with hand gestures as we were too scared to make a noise and disturb all the busy students.

Finally, my niece. Did you think Nicola Sturgeon was the special guest here? Nope. This wee girl (9 years old, going on 25) is one of my favourite people in the world. She’s bright, funny, kind, sensitive, cheeky, and she’s already a fantastic artist who currently wants to be an interior designer (with a part-time job in Build-A-Bear).

PS I do photograph men as well so please don’t feel left out, boys. If only there was an International Men’s Day, eh?

PPS If you ask nicely I might start posting regularly. I may even post useful information instead of blatant self-promotion. If you have any concerns or questions about photography that you’d like me to write about then please email me and I’ll do my best to help.