Barbara Leatham of Barbara Leatham Photography shares what's been happening in her business this month!

September is almost over and we’ve been talking to business owners about what the month has held for their business.

Today it’s the turn of Barbara Leatham, of Barbara Leatham Photography, who is a commercial photographer and trainer based in Tilshead.

How was your summer as we go into autumn? Any highlights for you or your business?
I’ve been working really hard at bringing my photography training for businesses to market over the summer. I’ve had some wonderful businesses supporting my journey. Big thanks to Liza and her team at Priory Heating who modelled as students for my own photography shoot, and to Steve from Studio Creative Services for working with me to create the end product that will be included after the training, so a business will have a photography book with their personalised training in to refer back to.

What’s coming up for your business in September? 
I’m working on finalising some pieces that will offer an online download for learning photography. I started it last year, but the business needed to get other ducks in a row before I could take the next steps. This will be for people who want to give photography a go for their business but might not be ready for the one-to-one service, they just want to build confidence first.

I’m also hoping the new brand colours will go live on my website. This will be the fourth evolution of my branding since I started my business. As things have evolved, I’ve made sure the branding supports the new changes.

It’s ‘back to school’ month or ‘start of university’ month – is this relevant to you personally or professionally?
Our youngest son started university at the start of September and it left a peculiar feeling in the house. We have a daughter who is still at home while she studies at college, but for a child we only really saw at food times, not having him hibernating in his bedroom is certainly noticeable – even his sister misses him a little bit.

We are excited for him, he’s in Winchester, so only about one hour away. He’s admitted to missing having food cooked for him and doesn’t like the cost of food buying. All of life we have lessons to learn, right now these are his.

It was the Paralympics which ended on September 8. Did you watch, what do you think of this tournament? Were there any stand out moments for you? 
Wasn’t the Paralympics great! I love that this year they had more coverage than previous, and the opening event was much better than the one they did for the Olympics. I had an extra special reason to watch this year, two of the attendees, Louise and Chris Hunt-Skelley were there, and I’ve had the pleasure of photographing both of them a few times over the last two years. It did make watching the events this year a little more exciting,

September is also known as ‘organic’ month – when it comes to your business/organisation/personal life, what do you do to be ‘more green’? If it’s in business do you work with other brands to be more sustainable?
I try really hard to make greener decisions for my business. When I used to do family work, I always used UK suppliers for my frames and albums, and I made sure they had the same values as well.  I believe we all have a responsibility to make decisions that reduce the impact on the environment. Choosing to use UK businesses to support my own is important to me. And when I’m looking for props for client shoots, I ask family and friends first if I can loan an object, then if I have no luck I head to the charity shops, both before considering buying anything new. And if I do buy new, I find a local supplier where possible. 

World Gratitude Day took place this month (Sept 21). What are you grateful for in your business/organisation/at home? 
I’m actually grateful to still be in business after 17 years, and that hasn’t happened on its own. Having my family and friends supporting me, no one more so than my husband David, who deserves a medal for long service in the face of stressful moments, but also the business family and friends I’ve made along the way.

Being a sole trader can be lonely at times, so surround yourself with people who will be there for you and with you.

There are many other ‘points of interest’ during September which could be relevant to you or your business. Here are five, pick any which are personally or professionally relevant to you?

*Sept 6 to 15 – Heritage Open Days 2024.
*Sept 18 – Read An Ebook Day.
*Secondhand September
*Sept 27 – World Tourism Day
*Organic Your September.
I love the idea of Secondhand September - As I’ve already mentioned, I use charity shops as much as possible when hunting for props. It’s a great source of inspiration and pretty cost effective if you don’t get carried away. At the end of the day, you are also supporting a charity so it’s an all-around win for me.

I think people are more accepting of finding a good bargain in a charity shop these days, we call it “Truffle Hunting” you do have to rummage, but you can find some gems if you are lucky.

More recently I’ve been scouring Facebook Marketplace – the amount of things you can find there for free or next to nothing just because people want to clear out their spaces. After the Marketplace, I look at eBay, and I go for the auction ones rather than the businesses if I can.

We are living in a world where every penny is counted, and with the cost of living going up all the time, you have to find ways to move forward without breaking the bank.

And finally, September 30 is International Podcast Day – do you listen to podcasts or do you have one of your own? Can you share a tip? Which podcasts should others check out? 
Podcasts are becoming very popular aren’t they? I find I get posts all the time on different platforms with suggestions on who to listen to.

I’ve been a guest on two this year, one was with Businesswise, the fabulous Swindon and Wiltshire networking group I’m a member of. And also, on Hannah Edwards “Successful Strides” – talking about more than just being a business owner. I have to say, I get nervous about doing them, but it does get easier.

I’ve listened to other podcasts from both of these channels, it’s been great to get to know local business owners and learn more about them.

For a more chilled out or fun ones, French and Saunders TItting About, both entertaining and topical; Jenifer and Dawn are a comedy duo I’ve followed most of my life, I love their humour.

I’ve had recommendations for Jack Whitehall’s Safe Space from one of my older boys, so I’m going to give that a go. 

Finally, I use the Calm app and I listen to Jay Shetty who does a Daily Jay which is a good way to get centered for the day.
 

Find out more about Barbara here: www.BarbaraLeatham.co.uk