Going full-time with your side hustle: how Lou found a new purpose with photography
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Posted: Tue 20th May 2025
Louise Morris is a professional photographer based in London. She specialises in capturing authentic moments – artists at music festivals, families at special occasions and actors on stage at the English National Opera. She's recently started offering a headshot service too.
Her passion for photography started quite early at the age of 10 when she got her first camera. Ever since, she's used her spare time alongside working as a teacher to practise her best shots.
Eventually, she decided to go full-time and take the leap that many London entrepreneurs want to take – and it's been working!
Connecting with Grow London Local has helped Louise find business support and meet other inspiring business owners with whom she can share her challenges.
Read on to find out more about Louise's story.
What inspired you to launch Lou Morris Photography?
I've always loved photography. I'd been working as a full-time secondary schoolteacher for a few years before I decided to go part-time and build up my photography, initially in the performing arts (music, theatre, dance).
Eventually, it became more than a hobby and I decided to go fully freelance as a photographer (I still do some freelance teaching too!), broadening out into events and business.
What are some of the challenges that you've faced as a business owner?
Consistency with work and getting my name out there to [find] new clients.
How did you hear about Grow London Local?
I started going to networking groups and I heard about Grow London Local through a Business Support Manager who gave a talk there.
As soon as I heard about the service, I set up a phone call for the very next week, as it sounded like an amazing service.
The experience has been fantastic. I followed up on all of the recommended organisations, which were all brilliant and which I continue to use. I can't believe how much free, high-quality support is available for small business owners.
What's next for Lou Morris Photography?
I recently launched my headshots and portraits service, having found a lovely studio which I use in N20 [Barnet].
At the moment, this is for business owners, but I'll also be offering it as a service for actors and others in the performing arts. That will bring together my arts and business photography.
How has Grow London Local helped you?
Grow London Local has put me in contact with organisations that provide excellent business support.
What advice would you give other small business owners in London?
It can be very overwhelming starting your own business, and as much as you have specialist knowledge in your particular skillset, it's really important to have good knowledge of the business world too.
Organisations like Grow London Local can help guide you through areas in which you may not have as much knowledge.
Who inspired you to start your own business?
I did! I wanted to develop my photography into more of a thriving business than a hobby. I also like getting practical advice from other business owners.
What do you love most about being your own boss?
I like being able to organise my time and have more control over what I do. Even though it's still early days, it gives me a sense of pride to think that I've created a business from scratch, and that each achievement is something I've created.
Would you recommend Grow London Local to other small businesses?
Yes. It can make a huge difference to your business. I think you get out what you put in.
If you're prepared to ask questions about what support you need, and listen to and action the advice given, Grow London Local will really help.
How has your relationship with your Business Support Manager impacted your business journey?
Massively! My Business Support Manager connected me to Enterprise Enfield, which has made a huge difference to my business journey.
Being able to speak to someone regularly about my business' individual needs has been amazing.
Even small questions I had were often easily answered, whereas it would have taken me a long time to figure out how to resolve an issue. I wish the support could carry on!
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