6 Months In

These past 6 months have flown by quicker than I ever expected. It feels like the right time for a bit of an update.

Where do I even start…

Starting a business I never originally wanted to start was one of those decisions I knew I had to make. Not just because I wasn’t getting jobs and decided to go freelance, but because I needed to gain experience, learn new skills, and meet new people. I wanted to understand what actually goes into running a business.

And honestly? It hasn’t been as overwhelming as I thought.

The business itself has been going really well. I have clients now… which still feels a bit crazy to say. I’m also a Creative Associate at my old university, which means I have access to the studios, a huge step for me, especially financially when it comes to renting space.

I also made the decision to invest in new equipment. I sold my original camera, the one I first started with and fell in love with — and upgraded to a mirrorless setup with the R6 II and my favourite 24–105mm lens. It was a bittersweet moment, but a really important step forward for both my business and my growth.

Alongside this, I’ve started a new self-funded project, currently called the South West Creatives Project (name still pending). It’s something I’ve felt has been missing for a while, and something I know would have helped me massively a few years ago.

The project, creatively directed by me, is about bringing together people who are passionate about fashion, giving them the opportunity to collaborate on ideas and briefs to create work for competitions, magazines, and exhibitions. It’s about gaining experience, building portfolios, and creating visibility, not just for individuals, but for Plymouth as a whole.

I’m incredibly passionate about it, and I wasn’t expecting the level of interest it received. I actually had to pause bringing more people on board just to manage everything properly. Everyone involved is so lovely and just as driven, which makes it even more exciting.

We’re currently working on our first brief, it’s a slow process as most of us are working or studying, but we’ll get there. Watch this space.

Alongside freelancing, I’m still working at Theatre Royal as a hospitality assistant. I feel really lucky to be part of such a genuinely kind team. It’s also a space where I can switch off from screens and social media for a few hours, something I’ve realised is really important, especially as freelancing can be a lot more isolating than people think.

I’m also really excited to share that, a year after graduating, I’ve decided to go back into education. I’ll be starting a Master’s in Digital Marketing and Social Media at the University of Plymouth this September.

Social media has been something I’ve been interested in since my second year at university, especially after working alongside the Social Media Officer at Arts University Plymouth. I’m excited to develop that further and open up new opportunities alongside my photography.

And lastly, something I’m very excited about, I’ve recently started as a Social Media and Content Creator Assistant at Ivory Studios and Socials.

It’s been a long journey trying to break into the creative industry, so this opportunity feels really special. Ivory Studios hasn’t even been open a year yet and has already won an award and launched its own studio space in Callington. I’m incredibly grateful to Luisa for the opportunity and excited to learn and grow alongside the brand.

So altogether, I’m currently working four jobs and will be starting my Master’s in September.

It’s a lot, I know.

But I’ve always been someone who likes to stay busy, and I just hope it all leads somewhere meaningful. I knew this industry would be difficult, but I didn’t realise quite how much.

Still, who knows where I’ll be in 6 months, or even a year from now.