Autumn Talk with Helen Richmond of Helen Richmond Photography

Autumn is here and small businesses everywhere are planning for the last quarter of 2022. We’re talking to small businesses about their business plans and getting to know them more.

Up today is Helen Richmond who is a brand photographer at Helen Richmond Photography. She helps businesses stand out from the crowd with authentic, on brand photography and is based in Cirencester.

What’s coming up for your business/organisation in Q4?
I have a booking for headshots for loyal client, some exciting discussions about a collaboration with a website designer and I’ll be continuing with my business/personal coach. I also have some personal branding shoots booked in, my Autumn ‘Shine Online’ Mini-Shoots in the Abbey Grounds, Cirencester, some in person networking, event photography and I’m photographing a charity event as a gift. It’s going to be a busy quarter but I’m really looking forward to it!

This is a month for harvest and Halloween? Are either of these important for you in your business or organisation?
Two of my business values are nature and the outdoors so harvest is important to my business. After long seasons of sowing, growing and weather watching this is an exciting time for growers. At the moment I’m excited to be photographing for a local vineyard, Poulton Hill, during their grape harvest. I’ve also been helping them with picking the grapes ready to send to the winery at Three Choirs. Fabulous fun!

Are you doing anything in October for charity or for a community or volunteer project?
It’s not happening this month but I’m excited that my breast cancer charity event is in November!

Did you know October 10 is World Mental Health Day – how important is this subject in your business and in your life?
Another one of my business values is wellbeing. That is why nature, and the countryside is so important to me. I grew up on a small holding helping to look after our animals. We had different animals ranging from chickens, pigs, sheep, cattle and rabbits. When I need to recharge my batteries, I go outdoors in nature. And having had post-natal depression after both of my boys were born, and still living with it, self-care is so important to my daily life and I make sure I remember to go into my garden with a nice cuppa, smell my roses and listen to the birds because it is a key part of ensuring my mental health is positive.

What practical activities do you participate in at home or at work to protect your mental health and that of your staff?
I have a gorgeous black Labrador called Whisper and because she needs a walk every day I get some exercise and love being in the countryside. The smell of newly ploughed earth and the birdsong really lift my spirits. As a teenager I went bird watching and still love that today. On my walks I will occasionally see a pair of kestrels or green woodpeckers. Last week a greater spotted woodpecker flew out of the hedge in front of me, I jumped a mile! My ‘Whisper Walks’ give me a sense of calm within a busy family and work life.

Clocks go back this month – an extra hour in bed! How do you feel about the darker nights etc?
Darker nights mean lighting the fire and lighting the candles. I love to be warm and cosy so the blankets come out too. Winter favourites like stew and dumplings and a glass of port on a Sunday evening is a favourite of mine. I love wrapping up in my favourite winter coat and bobble hat for walks in nature.

Have you got any services or special offers you’d like to mention?
My Autumn ‘Shine Online’ Mini-Shoots are on Thursday 20th October in the Abbey Grounds, Cirencester. The times I have available are 9am, 10am and 11am.

An hour’s session would is £150 and includes 8 images and this is perfect for you if,

• You are using stock photos
• You need to refresh your business photos
• You need a headshot update
• Your business values are aligned with wellbeing, mental health, nature and the outdoors
• You need more than 1 or 2 photos of yourself, that you actually like
• You are rebranding
• You need to be more visible online
• You need new website photos

And a bonus is that on my shoots, I make sure that there is always coffee and cake!

And finally, tell us one thing you love about the autumn/winter months? 
It’s got to be the changing colours of Autumn, skeletal tree shapes in winter and snowdrops and hellebores appearing in January!

You can find out more about Helen at https://www.helenrichmondphotography.com