I’ve always felt lucky to have had access to Photoshop and the internet early on, long before everything became lightning-fast on steroids. What really mattered wasn’t the speed or the dial-up connection—it was the fact that I had instant access to a vast world of information, all for free. It wasn’t just about browsing—there was a whole universe of knowledge, tools, and creative possibilities on my computer at home. That kind of access completely shaped my curiosity, my career, and the way I approach learning and creating to this day.
Growing up, I was fascinated by the potential of what I could create and learn online. I remember at the age of 12, I teamed up with my best friend, who was only a year older than me, to create a network of automatically generated websites—doorway pages targeting extremely long-tail keywords that barely anyone else cared about. Keywords with barely one searches per month, yet all these sites together were drawing in hundreds of visits on a weekly basis. And our end goal was to drive traffic to affiliate links.
We didn’t know much about the potential we were tapping into back then. We made $1,000 in the first week. Being underage meant we couldn’t actually touch the money. but did that stop us? Not at all. We were confident we’d figure it out later. In the meantime, we poured every penny back into buying more advanced tools—better software, VPNs, hosting servers. We were deep in the rabbit hole, building systems, learning, and refining our craft.
Though my focus was initially digital marketing, my real interest laid in graphics. I wasn’t the type to pick up a pencil and sketch; that was never my strength. Photoshop was my gateway to creativity. I spent hours reading manuals and mastering raster graphics, understanding the subtleties of color grading, and later venturing into the realms of typography and photography. In 2006-2007, photography almost became my primary hobby.
In 2008, I took a big step—I bought my first point-and-shoot camera. To me, it was an exciting experiment. I loved capturing moments. I remember feeling joy when I photographed my own high school graduation in 2009. All my classmates knew I was into photography, and they seemed to really appreciate the photos I took. When it came time for my graduation, they were all happy for me to photograph it, and I was glad to do it. The experience turned out to be a positive one, and people seemed to really enjoy the photos.
In 2010 I upgraded to a new modern DSLR. This is when photography really started to feel serious. I shot everything—friends’ birthdays, weekend trips, anything that caught my eye. In 2012, I got my first paid job, photographing a wedding for a friend of a friend. It wasn’t my full-time income, though. I was still deep in the digital marketing game, using those skills to support everything else. Photography and graphics were essential parts of the puzzle—creating visuals, banners, and all kinds of content to advertise businesses. Photography played a key role in that, helping to bring those campaigns to life and make them stand out.
Fast-forward to 2022, photography made a comeback in my life. Photography became more than just a side project—it became a serious focus. I’ve always had my own style that has gradually manifested more and more in my photography over time. It’s a style one that emphasises authenticity and a natural look. In over 20 years of mastering Photoshop, I’ve learned how to enhance photos without them looking overly edited. The goal is to enhance, not to alter. Let’s face it, people today are bombarded with ads, and they can spot a fake from a mile away.
Here’s where it all connects: modern advertising has evolved. People have seen it all—the glossy, overly edited ads, the “perfect” lifestyles. They need to represent your product or service in a way that feels genuine. Whether you’re trying to build an online presence or elevate your brand’s image, how you present your product or service visually matters more than ever. Many entrepreneurs don’t realise that great photography isn’t just about looking good—it’s about shaping perception. Good photos can change how people view your business, and in turn, how they feel about buying from you.
Which brings me to the heart of this blog: I’m not here to teach photographers how to take better pictures. Instead, I want to show entrepreneurs how powerful good photography can be in shaping their brand and connecting with their audience. There are plenty of businesses out there that are doing just fine with mediocre visuals. They have loyal customers and a good reputation, and that works. I’ve worked with a lot of entrepreneurs who understand that quality photography doesn’t just add polish—it elevates the entire brand. I’m here to teach entrepreneurs how to use photography to elevate their brand and attract the right audience. You can have an excellent product or service, but if it’s not presented well, it can easily go under-appreciated. This is particularly true for new businesses that don’t yet have a solid reputation, clientele, or word-of-mouth support.