Harriet has always been a creative soul. While climbing the ladder in retail management, a world that often felt more draining than fulfilling, she'd come home and lose herself in painting. Canvas after canvas, she'd create pieces people actually wanted to buy. The extra income? That went straight back into better paints, sturdier canvases, and brushes that didn't fall apart after three uses.
Growing up with an entrepreneurial Dad probably planted the seed early. He'd built multiple successful businesses and watched his kids grind away at corporate jobs for minimum wage. His not-so-subtle hints about going solo started to make more and more sense as Harriet's frustration with unsupportive employers grew.
Then something clicked. After following photographers whose work absolutely mesmerised her, Harriet thought: Why not me? So she took the leap.
Starting from scratch is terrifying. Harriet didn't have a photography degree to fall back on (she actually studied Fashion Business at Glasgow Caledonian University). But she had something equally valuable: the guts to ask for help.
"I reached out to everyone I could find who was making it work," Harriet recalls. "I needed to know everything including pricing, niching down, what services actually sell. The photographers and creatives who shared their knowledge with me? I'll be forever grateful."
The breakthrough moment came when she finally switched her camera from auto to manual. Suddenly she was the person crouching on the ground, stretching on tiptoes, balancing on questionable surfaces - all to nail the perfect shot.
The Messy Middle
So has it been smooth sailing since? Not even close.
"I've been on a complete rollercoaster," Harriet admits. "I thought leaving retail would mean leaving behind the stress and breakdowns. But now? The doubts are different. I'll lie awake wondering if I captured the magic for my clients. Then their testimonials come through and when they're glowing I can breathe again."
Here's what nobody tells you about running your own business: the money doesn't show up like clockwork. There's no predictable pay check hitting your account on the 25th. Direct debits become a game of Tetris. But you know what? It makes you tougher. You learn constantly. And the opportunities? They make everything else worth it.
The Social Media Lifeline
Harriet's been on social media since the MySpace and Bebo days (remember those?). She's conquered Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, though she draws a hard line at TikTok. These skills she'd been casually building for years have became her business lifeline.
"My retainer work managing social media for other businesses keeps the food on the table," she explains. "Because let's face it, we all have bills to pay and British weather to dress for. I still get people approaching me for work but then once I put forward my rates I hear nothing back. I don't get how people expect me to work for free?"
Now she helps other businesses figure out their social media game and it's simpler than you think.
"Consistency is everything. But don't overwhelm yourself to the point where you just stop posting. That's when you waste money and miss opportunities. Find a rhythm that actually works for your life."
Back to the Lens
But photography is where Harriet's heart is. Capturing those fleeting moments, telling stories through her camera, seeing someone's face light up when they see themselves in a new way.
"About a year in, I realised I'd stopped carrying my camera everywhere," she says. "I'd forgotten that this whole thing started because I picked up a camera and fell in love with it. Now I make sure to bring it out. You'd be surprised how many conversations and clients I've gotten just because someone saw me shooting and started chatting. Oh and that old fashioned method, my business cards."
The power of real human connection, not just sliding into DMs.
What's Next?
Harriet's got her sights set on something bigger: more international work.
"I've had a taste of working abroad. Now I'm ready to find the confidence to do this as much as possible. Being hired through an agency to shoot hugely well-attended and followed motorsport events such as Formula E in countries such as China, America and Monaco has shown me I do have the guts to jump on a plane pretty last minute, camera in hand ready to capture all. I am keeping my ear to the ground, networking with as many people as possible to keep my name in front of those in the know. As I say to all - it's who you know!"
So where will Harriet's camera take her next? We'll all have to watch and see. You can follow along on her Instagram @harrietmedia and watch the adventure unfold or check out her portfolio.
