I used to think that being shy meant I wasn’t cut out for leadership. I wasn’t the loudest in the room. I didn’t speak first. I avoided attention. And yet, somehow, here I am – running a photography business, meeting new clients every week, and confidently directing shoots.
The truth? It didn’t happen overnight. It was a journey – one filled with self-doubt, quiet wins, and the kind of growth that happens when you choose to show up anyway.
Photography Was My Way In
I didn’t start out photographing people. In fact, I preferred to stay behind the scenes, capturing light, movement, and stillness – anything that didn’t talk back or expect direction. But slowly, I felt the pull to try something more personal. To tell stories. To connect.
That’s when everything changed.
When I began working with people, I had to step into a new version of myself. One that wasn’t just behind the camera – but present, engaged, and leading the experience.
Leading Without Being Loud
At first, I worried I wasn’t the “right” kind of photographer. I wasn’t bold, chatty or commanding. But I soon realised something powerful – people don’t need loud. They need calm. Reassurance. Someone who sees them clearly and creates a space where they feel safe to be themselves.
Being soft-spoken became my strength. It helped me build trust. My natural empathy made people feel at ease. And my quiet confidence started to grow with each shoot.
Practice Built Confidence
Every time I said yes to a new session – even when I was nervous – I learned something. I learned how to read the room. How to gently direct someone who’s never been in front of a camera. How to navigate awkward silences with grace, not panic. And most importantly, I learned how capable I really was.
Now, I love the connection that comes with photographing people. I love hearing their stories, calming their nerves, and showing them just how good they can feel in front of the lens.
Confidence Can Be Quiet
We often think of leaders as the loudest voice in the room. But I’ve learned that leadership can look different. It can be soft-spoken and steady. It can hold space instead of taking it up. It can show up quietly and still make an impact.
If you’re shy or introverted, I want you to know: you can still lead. You can still build a business. You can still make people feel something powerful – with your voice, your energy and your work.
Photography helped me grow into a version of myself I didn’t know was possible. It helped me step into confidence – not by becoming someone else, but by embracing who I already was.
So yes – shy girls can lead too.
And we do it beautifully.