Jersey photographer: a nutrition business photoshoot

I've accidentally fallen into photographing small businesses this last year - one has led to another, and another, and another - and I have loved it!

Those small businesses I have worked with have all been seeking the same thing - something very different to the usual corporate headshots. Relaxed portraits, pretty lighting and colours, creative shots, an outdoorsy vibe, and something that just feels very … them.

It's been wonderful meeting and photographing so many inspirational entrepreneurs!

In July I had the pleasure of photographing the naturally beautiful Melody Evans, who runs her own nutritional therapy business. We took pure, simple photographs in her home, and then outdoor shots of her immersed in nature and exercising or relaxing to bring her brand to life.

This blog is written interview style by Melody herself, as the story is always best told by the business owner themselves. I hope you love looking through her feel-good images.

What motivated you to set up your own business?

I was an accountant for many years, but after a few years of working very long hours I decided that I couldn’t really see myself sitting in an office until retirement!

I have always loved exercise and been interested in health with a strong belief that our health is governed by our lifestyle and the food that we eat, so qualifying as a nutritionist seemed like the most natural step for me.

I have a nurturing personality, so helping people transform their health for the better seemed very appealing to me, and a lot more people-focused than working with numbers!

What is a typical day like for you?

I get up at 6am and have my breakfast of overnight oats, stewed fruit and seeds. We take our cockapoo puppy Leo for his morning walk then I either go running, skipping or do a weights session as it sets me up for the day ahead. Being active is a very important part of my life!

I offer a variety of ways to work with me. For clients on my private programs my day could consist of reviewing the case history for new clients, scientific research around the nutritional support that they need and providing ongoing support through consultations to help them to reach their health goals.

I also run an online group program called “Feed your Glow in 21 Days” which consists of a health reset including recipes, information packs to support long-term health, group video calls for support and accountability for the duration of the program and guest expert sessions offering lifestyle tools including NLP, yoga and mindfulness meditations.

I also spend time researching and writing content for my social media channels and my newsletter.

I love to leave my phone at home and go for a walk or sit and meditate in nature a few times a week. My working day usually finishes around 4pm when I take Leo out for his evening walk, then it’s time to cook dinner and wind down for the evening. I love being in bed early (around 9pm!).

What do you love most about your business?

I love helping busy people who are feeling stressed, tired, depressed, anxious and overweight to rediscover the spring in their step.

I provide them with an easy to follow nutrition and lifestyle plan so that they can increase their energy levels, have improved clarity and focus, lose weight and feel and look their best! I love empowering my clients to sustain these changes too, so that these new eating and lifestyle changes easily become a new habit.

Stress is a health epidemic of the 21st century. Our bodies simply aren’t designed to sustain the busy lives that we lead and prolonged stress can be a triggering factor for the development of many chronic illnesses. I feel very strongly about helping my clients to build resilience to stress so they can reduce the risk of developing these diseases later on in life.

I always feel really emotional when we get to the end of a client’s program and they tell me how much lighter they feel and you can actually see this change, emotionally and physically!

What has been tough so far?

When you study to be a nutritionist, they don’t necessarily teach you the business aspect of how to promote yourself or actually get out there and get clients.

It’s juggling these two sides of the business that I find most challenging, especially during the lockdown when I had to step out of my comfort zone and start recording videos (I still can’t do Facebook lives!) for my social media channels which I always swore I would never do!

Who has been an inspiration to you?

Lately I’ve really been inspired by my friends who have children and still manage to work and put a healthy meal on the table. I am not sure if this is since we got Leo and I suddenly found myself balancing my working day with making sure he is adequately entertained and exercised!

I think they are so strong, mentally and physically to sustain those commitments.

In terms of business, Joe Wicks. I remember seeing a video he posted about when he started out and nobody turned up to his training sessions he had advertised in the park yet he persevered and over time, he built up his presence and now look at how inspiring he is!

I would love to be perceived as a motivator of change similar to Joe, inspiring people to make the changes now to prevent illness from developing further down the line.

Why did you decide to have professional photos taken, and how has this helped your business?

I felt my website needed a bit of a revamp, so when I saw my friend Michelle Maye’s images that Rachel had taken I jumped straight in!

The idea of having some beautiful images that portrayed my business and who I am as a person was really appealing. Rachel took the time to understand my interests and hobbies and was able to build the shoot around this in a natural way.

It has helped me to have more of a professional look and feel and everyone always says how lovely and unique the pictures are!

What advice do you have for others setting up their own business?

Pick your passion, and don’t forget why you are doing it, this drives you every day. Focus on your successes and build on these even when you have a difficult day. Also, hiring yourself a business coach in your area of business is priceless, someone who really understands your business and how to develop it. I have a business coach who is a nutritionist and I have found this most helpful. Also, invest in some beautiful pictures to convey your personality and your business to your audience!

You can find Melody’s business on:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/melodyevansnutrition

Instagram: www.instagram.com/melody_evans_nutrition

Website: https://melodyevansnutrition.com/

If you would like a creative business photoshoot that is tailored to your small business, I would love to hear from you!