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.

What happens when a wildlife photographer walks into a fashion show? Spoiler: it’s not pretty. In this episode, I sit down with Phil from Wildlife Dreams after he joined me for Day 1 of the Estonian Fashion Festival. From camera pit chaos to short fuses and zero space to shoot, we unpack the brutal, unglamorous reality of fashion show photography. This one’s for anyone who still thinks fashion week is “fun” for photographers.

Ever wanted to shoot wildlife like a pro but thought you had to go to Africa? Think again.
In this brutally honest episode of The Loud Lens, I'm recording straight from a hide in the Estonian wilderness — joined by Wildlife Dreams and, yes, interrupted by a literal fox and a chorus of birds mid-convo.

We’re diving into what it really takes to start wildlife photography without flying halfway around the world or selling your kidneys for gear. From beginner tips to ethical fieldcraft, we talk about why places like Estonia are the hidden gems of wildlife shooting — and why mindset matters way more than your camera.

Expect laughs, real advice, and a few wild surprises (literally).

🎙️ Featuring: Phil Gould, co-founder of Wildlife Dreams www.wildlife-dreams.com.

📍 Recorded live in their newest photography hide in Estonia
📸 For photographers ready to stop faking it and start shooting real wildlife.

#WildlifePhotography #EstoniaWildlife #PhotographyPodcast #BeginnerPhotographers #TheLoudLens #WildlifeDreams #EthicalPhotography #NaturePhotography #Fieldcraft #NoMoreSafariStereotypes

Thinking of going pro with your photography? Before you dive in, this episode of The Loud Lens lays down the brutal truth — because turning your passion into a business can mess with your mental health, your money, and your personal life if you’re not ready.

We’re cutting through the fluff and influencer BS to ask the real questions:

• Do you actually have time to run a real business?

• Can you handle the legal, admin, and marketing side — not just the creative?

• Are you prepared for the emotional burnout, comparison spiral, and financial chaos that come with it?

• And most importantly — is going pro going to ruin your love for photography?

This is for the UK-based photographers who feel pressured to monetise their art — when maybe, the smarter move is to protect it.

Listen now before you turn joy into stress and call it a career.

#photographybusiness #ukphotographers #photographypodcast #mentalhealth #goingpro #creativity

In this episode of The Loud Lens, things get a little more casual — more two mates chatting than a polished seminar. But trust us, it’s packed with the kind of honesty creatives actually need to hear.

I’m joined by Phil from Wildlife Dreams (www.wildlife-dreams.com), who I met after giving a talk at The Photography & Video Show. That one random conversation? It turned into a full-blown creative trip to Estonia, where I ended up photographing the Estonia Fashion Festival and capturing wildlife in a hide.

We talk about:

• How just showing up as yourself can open wild doors

• The power of real, human connection in creative careers

• Why trying to “market yourself” to death doesn’t work

• And why neither of us gives a toss about clout

If you’ve been feeling stuck, unseen, or just plain over the fake networking grind — this episode is a reminder that genuine connection will always take you further than likes and logos.

No fluff. No fake strategy. Just two creatives having a proper chat about how the good stuff happens when you’re not trying so hard.