Photography can be therapy—but it can also trigger burnout, anxiety, and imposter syndrome. In this episode of The Loud Lens, I dive deep into the honest, research-backed truth about how photography affects your mental health. From veterans using cameras to process trauma, to the crushing pressure of social media metrics, this episode explores both the healing and the harm.

Thank you Jenna for suggesting this episode.

Whether you're a new photographer trying to find your creative voice or a seasoned pro battling burnout, this is the no-BS conversation we need to be having.

🎯 What you'll learn:

• How photography is used in real-world mental health therapy

• Why imposter syndrome hits creatives so hard (with stats)

• Mindful photography techniques to protect your sanity

• Practical tools for balancing creativity with wellbeing

If you’ve ever felt like your camera saved you—or silently wrecked you—this one’s for you.

My second photography book No One F*cking Cares About Your Photography launches on 1st July — and in this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on both books. I break down why I wrote them..

Whether you’re deep in imposter syndrome, stuck comparing yourself to other photographers, or just tired of the same old “six figures in six weeks” advice — this is for you.

🔹 Why most creatives never get past self-doubt
🔹 What photographers need to stop doing immediately
🔹 How to build a selfish, intentional creative business
🔹 And why no one is your competition when you think bigger

This episode is a love letter to the bold, the tired, the burnt out, and the ready-to-get-shit-done.

📘 Book 1: Take The F*cking Lens Cap Off
📕 Book 2: No One F*cking Cares About Your Photography — Out 1st July

#photographybusiness #photographybooks #creativeentrepreneur #impostersyndrome #personalbrand #photographytips #theloudlens

This episode is for the any ones who’ve been told they’re “too much”—and still kept going.

From being called intimidating to building a brand on my own terms, I’ve learned that taking up space as a creative is the boldest thing you can do. I’ll show you why the groupthink can’t keep you safe, how to stop downplaying your brilliance, and what happens when you stop making yourself small for other people’s comfort.

Being visible isn’t vain—it’s powerful. So get loud. Be proud. And let’s talk about what happens when we stop apologising and start owning it.

I tried wildlife photography for the first time in a luxury hide in the Estonian wilderness… and I wasn’t ready.

Hosted by Wildlife Dreams (run by the brilliant Phil www.wildlife-dreams.com), this brand trip gave me a wild ride — from fox cubs just metres away while I edited fashion photos, to enduring rain, sweltering heat, and some brutally harsh Facebook feedback from the wildlife photography community.

This is my honest look at what it’s really like stepping into wildlife photography as a newcomer — the wonder, the judgment, and the joy.

🦊 Like, comment, and subscribe if you believe photography should stay accessible, ethical, and open to all.

Everyone’s talking about raising your prices but no one wants to talk about the real problem: you’re giving away your work for free.

In this brutally honest episode of The Loud Lens, host Khandie breaks down the industry’s quiet addiction to unpaid labour. From speaker slots at sold-out photography events to “collaborations” with brands offering a 10% discount instead of a cheque, we’re exposing the hidden economy of creative exploitation.

You’ll learn:
• Why unpaid work isn’t harmless — it’s strategic devaluation
• The psychological traps keeping you saying yes
• The real cost of “exposure” in events, education, and brand deals
• How to professionally say no without burning bridges (you weren’t invited to cross anyway)
• And why cutting off the supply is the only way to create a paid, respected future for creatives

📌 Tag this one: must-listen. Especially if you’ve ever accepted “opportunity” over income.

Are photographers and influencers becoming too entitled in public spaces? In this blunt episode, award-winning photographer and educator Khandie dives into the growing trend of creatives demanding silence, control, and exclusivity in parks, streets, beaches, and tourist hotspots — and why that’s a massive problem for the industry.

We unpack what UK law actually says about photography in public, the ethical line between creating and controlling, plus real stories of both nightmare shoots and respectful public work. You’ll get practical tips for how to shoot professionally in shared spaces — without acting like you own them.

Perfect for photographers, influencers, content creators, and anyone navigating shoots on location.

Sick of hearing photographers moan about “quiet months”? In this episode, I’m calling out the booking season myth and showing you exactly why your inbox is empty: it’s not the season, it’s your strategy.

We’ll break down why relying on trends keeps you broke, what a proper sales funnel actually looks like, and how to build a business that makes money all year round (yes, even in February). Real examples, real data, and real talk from someone who actually does this for a living.

If you’re tired of riding the feast-or-famine rollercoaster, this episode will give you the slap — and the strategy — you’ve been avoiding.

📣 Listen, learn, and start acting like the business owner you claim to be.

Phil from Wildlife Dreams joined me for the Estonian Fashion Festival thinking fashion photography would be simple compared to waiting hours for wildlife. Spoiler: it wasn’t.

In this episode of The Loud Lens, we dive into the reality behind the runway: limited shooting space, photographers ignoring etiquette, unpredictable lighting, and the intense pressure to get the shot (without stepping on any toes… literally).

Phil got a front-row seat to the challenges, and came away with a whole new level of respect for the craft.

If you think fashion shooters just press a button and call it art, this episode is your reality check.