LOULABELLA STUDIOS
ABOUT ME
THE PERSON BEHIND THE LENS
Who am I?
I’m the chatty face behind the camera, a storyteller at heart, and the person who actually gets why you’re nervous.
Growing up on the edge of the Peak District, I fell in love with nature and the magic of stories. These days, life in Cheshire is a lot busier thanks to my little boy, but that love for "finding the magic" hasn't changed. At heart, I’m a creative nerd happiest when I’m painting, crafting, or getting lost in a fantasy audiobook.
But I’m also someone who has been where you are.
I’ve navigated my own journey through weight gain, identity shifts, and that "who is that?" feeling when looking in the mirror. I know what it’s like to want to hide. That experience is exactly why I do what I do. I don't just want to take your photo; I want to help you recognise yourself again.
My Approach
I don't expect you to be a pro. I just expect you to be you.
Most of my clients arrive telling me they are "camera-awkward." My job is to prove them wrong.
My approach is built on ten years of experience, a lot of empathy, and a "chatterbox" energy that distracts you from the lens until you’re finally relaxed.
Here is my promise to you:
NO STIFF POSES: I don’t expect you to be a professional model. Instead of rigid, meticulous posing, I use prompts to create movement - whether that’s wrestling Dad to the floor or simply answering an email. I’m not looking for a line of people staring stiffly at a lens; I’m looking for your real energy.
A SAFE HAVEN: If you have a "side" you hate or a feature you're self-conscious about, I’m here to listen, not push boundaries. If your left side is an absolute no-no, we won't shoot it. Whatever your concerns are, we’ll talk them through and find a solution that makes you feel confident.
FOLLOWING YOUR LEAD: I’m not here to fight your family for the "perfect" shot. If my plan doesn't match the kids' energy, we pivot. If they want to explore a fallen tree or ride on your shoulders, that’s where the magic happens. A decade of experience has taught me one thing: forcing a structure only leads to tears. I’d much rather follow your lead.
MY STORY
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2015
GRADUATING UNIVERSITY
After three years of dedication, creativity, and more than a few late nights, I graduated from Aberystwyth University in 2015 with a degree in Fine Art, specialising in illustration and photography. It was during my time there that I fell in love with the magic of analogue photography, learning to shoot on a fully manual camera, developing my black-and-white images, and experimenting in the darkroom. I also had my first taste of studio photography, but I quickly realised that my heart belongs to the beauty of natural light and storytelling through authentic, unscripted moments.
2016
MY FIRST PAID PHOTOGRAPHY WORK
Like many new graduates, I spent the first year after university figuring out my next steps. While some people have their careers mapped out, I had only planned as far as graduation. Initially, I focused on illustration and art-based jobs, picking up a few small commissions, but nothing that felt like the right fit. At the same time, word spread about my love for photography, and I started getting bookings - from business portraits to weddings. Seeing how much I enjoyed it (and how much others valued my work), I began investing more time and resources into photography, slowly turning my passion into a career.
2018
I STARTED MY OWN BUSINESS
I was still applying for “normal” jobs, sending out dozens of CVs a day with little to no response (we’ve all been there). Then one day, I made a decision: If no one else will hire me, I’ll hire myself! I had spent years focusing on art and creativity, but now I needed a crash course in business. Thankfully, I had the incredible opportunity to join a Prince’s Trust Young Enterprise course, which gave me the confidence to take the leap. I officially registered my business with HMRC, launched my first website, and stepped into the scary - but absolutely right - world of self-employment. It was the best decision I’ve ever made.
2020
NAVIGATING COVID
Like many small businesses, when COVID hit, my work came to a sudden halt. In the months leading up to lockdown, things had finally started to gain momentum - I was building something I was proud of. But overnight, it all fell apart. While some businesses managed to adapt, I found myself with an overwhelming amount of free time. I took on a few art commissions, poured myself into painting and drawing, and focused on family. During this time, I helped care for my 92-year-old grandma - our beloved Nainy - alongside my mum. We looked after her together until she passed away, just one week before Christmas. It was a time of loss, reflection, and change, but it ultimately reshaped how I approached both life and my business.
2022
THE YEAR MY LIFE CHANGED FOREVER!
As the world started to return to normal, a whole new chapter of life began for me. My partner and I moved in together, and with bills to pay, I took a job as a photographer for a car dealership. Then, in January 2022, we got the most incredible news...
WE WERE HAVING A BABY!
Pregnancy brought so much joy, but it also came with challenges. I developed anxiety, but only while at work, which led to sick leave and, eventually, the difficult decision to quit my job. Morning sickness, relentless Braxton Hicks contractions, and a rollercoaster of emotions meant I could only take on a handful of shoots. That year also brought heartbreak - we lost my partner’s Grandpa, moved house, and said goodbye to a beloved family dog.
But despite everything, 2022 was the year that changed our lives forever. We welcomed our beautiful little boy into the world, and nothing else could ever compare to that.
2023
MY JOURNEY INTO MOTHERHOOD
My maternity "leave" looked pretty different from most of my friends and the other new mums I met. I did take that first month to fully recover and soak up every moment with my tiny baby, but before long, I found myself back behind the camera - sometimes with my little pal strapped to me. I was lucky enough to shoot a few sessions, including a small wedding, all while navigating newborn life. Long nights of cluster feeding became my editing time, and I quickly mastered the art of working during nap times.
I never truly understood how empowering motherhood could be until I had my own full supermum moment. While photographing a pregnancy event, my son became restless and wanted feeding. I’d managed to breastfeed him in his carrier once before, so I tried again - this time, while still shooting. There I was, camera in hand, capturing beautiful moments for my client while also feeding my baby. It was one of those moments that made me realize just how incredible women are. I only wish someone had captured that moment for me!
2024
ANOTHER BIG STEP INTO ADULTHOOD
Wow, what a year - it’s hard to know where to start! As my son grew, I found it easier to carve out time to focus on my business again. I had some incredible opportunities, including ongoing work with a few amazing small business owners, who have not only supported me but also helped me grow in so many ways.
But if I thought I had my hands full before, life had even more in store! After what felt like years of house hunting and viewing what seemed like hundreds of homes, my partner and I finally found our dream house. Things moved quickly, and by September, we had the keys in our hands! I took a short break from work to focus on some much-needed renovations, turning our new place into a home.
2025
WHAT'S NEXT FOR ME...
Like many self-employed mums, I’m still figuring out the perfect balance between work and family - though, of course, there are moments when one takes priority over the other.
As I continue to refine my photography, I’ve also started exploring video, adding a whole new dimension to my work. It’s still something I’m learning, but so many of the skills naturally overlap with my photography experience.
Exciting times are ahead! While I continue capturing beautiful moments for families, I’ve also been building relationships with more small businesses, learning their incredible stories. There’s so much in the works, and I can’t wait to see where this next chapter takes me!
FREYA CATHERINE
The ONLY photographer who has ever made me like how I look in photos, you will not be disappointed!
Congleton, Cheshire
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