Embracing Authenticity: Lea Turner's Personal Brand Photoshoot

"Your professional headshots need to be corporate and serious," they said. Tell that to the woman with 173,000 LinkedIn followers who built her empire by being radically herself. When The HoLT's founder Lea Turner needed brand photos to match her community's bold new direction, she knew exactly what she wanted - images that would capture the real magic of being unapologetically yourself in business.

Sometimes you meet a client who makes it worth traveling 250 miles through the snow - and that's exactly what happened when I headed up to Manchester from Exeter to photograph this incredible woman. As one of the most influential women in business who truly does things her own way, Lea needed professional headshots that would match her bold personal brand.

The Power of Being Uniquely You

Meet Lea Turner, the tattooed, straight-talking founder of The HoLT - a thriving membership community for small business owners and freelancers that's grown to 575 members with a waiting list of over 1,300. What started as a side project alongside her successful LinkedIn training business has blossomed into something extraordinary, leading Lea to a pivotal decision to focus primarily on growing this vibrant community.

"For the last two years, I've been trying to juggle both," Lea shared. "But The HoLT has gone so well, with over 100 masterclasses now and a brilliant freelance team in place. I knew it was time to give it my full attention - this is what has the potential to grow really big and have a huge impact."

When It's Time for an Update

With this shift in focus came the need for fresh headshots and creative business portraits. The HoLT's original branding, which Lea admits she "threw together on Canva," has evolved into something spectacular under the expertise of brand designer Kayleigh Lloyd. Having been part of The HoLT since its inception, Kayleigh understood exactly what the community represented.

"The members described it as safe, supportive, friendly, non-judgmental," Lea explained. "That sense of belonging came up a lot - belonging to something bigger than just yourself, which can be so important when you're on your own in business."

Behind the Camera: Capturing the Evolution

Armed with four different coloured backdrops to match The HoLT's vibrant new brand palette, I set up my portable studio in Lea's cosy Manchester home, where I was warmly greeted by her adorable furry assistants - Marmite the cat and Bronson the dog. We created everything from relaxed headshots for her LinkedIn profile to lifestyle images that captured her in her element. The goal? Capturing the essence of a woman who's given countless others permission to be themselves in business.

The magic of Lea's brand lies in its authenticity. When Kayleigh designed the new website, she created something that perfectly captured The HoLT's spirit. "I've had so many compliments about it," Lea shared. "One conference delegate in Ibiza dragged me aside to say they'd read every single part of my website. They could feel how much fun it was."

"I wanted people to feel like this was a safe space where business could be fun," Lea continued, "where you can learn together and feel like you've got people that have got your back."

The Impact of Professional Photography

The proof is in the pudding - or in this case, the press coverage. Lea's previous headshots from our first shoot have been featured in newspaper stories, countless podcast appearances, and across all her social media platforms. As she notes, "Having headshots where you feel really good about yourself - that's the real thing."

But it's more than just looking good. It's about conveying who you are. "The photos you took of me, there was that sort of glimmer in my eye and a smirk on my face. You could tell that I'm a fun and friendly person, and that came through in the photos."

Looking Forward

With a successful podcast, growing PR presence, and The HoLT's continuous expansion, these new brand photos will help Lea step into her next chapter with confidence. They'll grace her website updates, fuel her increasing Instagram and Facebook presence, and support her ongoing PR campaigns.

When you find someone who's truly making waves in their industry by being unapologetically themselves, sometimes it's worth driving through the snow to capture their story. Thank goodness for my trusty 4x4 getting me through the winter weather - some things are just meant to happen! Lea's authenticity and impact on the business community make her exactly that kind of client.

Ready to show your authentic self through your own personal brand photoshoot? Whether you're evolving your business or simply ready to let your personality shine through your professional headshots, I'd love to help capture your story. While I'm based in Exeter, I occasionally travel for special shoots - but most clients come to my dedicated photography studio in the heart of Devon.

Client: Lea Turner, The HoLT

Photography: Rosie Parsons

Brand Design: Kayleigh Lloyd, Lloyd Creative

Interested in having your own shoot? Send me a message below!