A well-styled photo is like a great headline - you recognise that it’s good but you can’t quite pinpoint why. Or so I thought, until I was given all sorts of styling advice by the queen of styling Jodie Thackray.

Together with Instagram queen Katya Willems, Jodie spent a few hours teaching a small group of us all about flatlays and composition and adding movement to photos - all using things we already had around the house. It was a joyful and creative morning that unlocked some of the mysteries of a flatlay for me!

Jodie is a photographer and photographic stylist who founded Photo + Flourish (formerly Styling Sustainably) in August 2019. She specialises in portrait, branding and product photography/styling, creating content for businesses that are doing good things for people and the planet.

This is all right up my street, and as I’m always so impressed by Jodie’s Instagram content and refreshing approach to marketing her small business, I asked her some questions as part of my series of small business interviews.

Jodie, how has your approach to marketing changed from the early days in your business to now?

At first I thought that just showing imagery of my work would be enough to get me sales. However, I've found that showing up and sharing more about myself and connecting with my audience builds trust from my audience which then leads to sales. I really don't like a hard sell so I find that getting to know others is actually the most fulfilling part of my business, even if I don't end up working with certain people.

(Karen: I love this so much - I really think that if you find joy in your marketing and in the relationships and creativity that accompany it, the output and results will be so much better. This idea forms the basis of my course Unlearning Marketing.)

What do you dislike about small business marketing?

The time it takes to create new content (as fun as I find doing it!) and trying to narrow down what I want to say.

Which element of marketing do you enjoy the most?

Creating Reels on Instagram. (Karen: this one is my favourite!) I love to inject fun into my work and I love getting people talking! I also like writing useful blog posts to help my clients like 10 useful tips on how to prepare for your photoshoot.

What advice would you give other small business owners to improve their marketing (or their experience of marketing themselves).

Stay true to who you are and what your business is about, show up and be patient when finding your online tribe.

(Karen: This is so so true, and the foundation of everything I believe about marketing. That it is about authenticity, that it takes time and commitment, and that everything is better with good people around you!)

Read up on content pillars as they have changed the way I think about marketing and really help to focus in on what you want to say to your audience.

(Karen: Content pillars is a crucial part of my teaching in Blogging to Boost Your Business.)

What does marketing success look like to you?

Connecting with other like-minded people and businesses then creating beautiful and inspiring content to celebrate their business or service.

If you were given £10,000 to spend on your marketing, how would you spend it?

I would love to spend some of the money on branding and website to create my own signature brand. I would like to hire someone to advise me with marketing strategies. I would also love to create some workshops + short videos about photography and styling to help my audience. If I had any money left over it would be great to create a few podcast episodes too!

Quickfire questions

Inspire us with a quote: “'If you can't love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else!” - RuPaul

Name 3 dream dinner guests (dead or alive): Lady Gaga, RuPaul and Carrie Fisher

What superpower would you love to have? To be able to teleport anywhere I like. I could visit family and friends in an instant. It would be a great way to see the world plus it's an eco friendly way to travel: triple win!

Early bird or night owl? Early bird (well anytime from 7am)

Where do you get your best ideas? When I discuss ideas with others or when I'm out in nature.

You can find Jodie on Instagram and check out her website Photo + Flourish here.

Like this post? Sign up to my newsletter to be kept up to date on all things small business marketing.