Relaxed Personal-Branding Photo Shoot for Podcaster
Relaxed personal-branding photo shoot for podcaster in Epsom, Surrey
A fun shoot that resulted in some beautiful relaxed images for a perfect portfolio of personal branding images
When Cate Butler Ross came to me looking for a cover picture for her new podcast, she wanted something relaxed, informal, casual, friendly and engaging.
Cate was a career journalist, working at Country Living magazine and Woman and Home magazine as Features Editor before striking out on her own as a freelancer.
But over the years she realised she could use her skills to inspire business owners to create their own emotive copy that will attract their audience, and her new podcast ‘The Content Download’ was the perfect forum to help people do just that.
Cate Butler Ross, Podcaster, Writer, Publisher, The Luminous Media
In 2023, Cate also launched her first book, Soul Story, available on Amazon here.
Soul Story was written for female entrepreneurs, and shows how to move your audience, how to create genuine connection and awaken your inner storyteller, unearth your story goldmine, and use the power of your personal experience to share your message with the world.
We tried a few different set-ups and outfits, including studio portraits and casual photographs taken on my stairs at home, giving Cate a few images to choose from to use across her social media, website and in her podcast promotional material.
Over time, Cate’s podcast has evolved into ‘Read Magnet’, as her business also transcended into a forum to write and publish her own work, and help experts convert their knowledge into books that lend credibility and authority to their business offerings.
Cate has a free downloadable book, Your Book Done! available on her website here. This aims to give you a fluff-free framework to write your book that you can read in less than an hour!
In June 2026, Cate will be launching her latest book ADHD Mum, ADHD Kid, offering practical tips and advice to families struggling with the pressures of ADHD, whether suspected or diagnosed. You will be able to buy this on Amazon.
Cate’s shoot, one of several she has done with me, was fun, relaxed and enjoyable. The stairs shot were the last set-up we tried, but it worked perfectly.
She left me this testimonial:
’I need a lot of photography to keep my online coaching business looking fresh and on brand, and Charlie is my go-to photographer whenever I need some professional images. Whether I’m revamping the look of my website and need some up-to-date shots, or a new lifestyle shoot to keep my content and social media looking beautiful and fresh, I know that Charlie will take the time to get the look I want just right.
Aside from being absolutely lovely to work with, she takes the time to put you at your ease, while her eye for a good shot means if something’s not quite right, she’ll tweak until it it is - whether that’s changing you out of a colour that’s draining you on camera, or meticulously posing you to make sure there’s no unflattering double chins, bingo wings or frowns. I’ve had so many professional shots taken that I’ve been disappointed by.
All the shoots I’ve done with Charlie have built me a portfolio of gorgeous, versatile professional images that make my business look slick and professional.
Cate Butler Ross, Podcaster, Writer, Publisher & Story Coach
You can listen to Read Magnet on any podcast forum or try on Apple Podcasts here
