we kicked off 2025 with Milly Pickles and lululemon


Capturing Community


The first shoot of the year set the tone for everything that's followed so far. In early January, I photographed a mindset event

"Run the Mind" hosted by Milly Pickles in collaboration with lululemon — an event built entirely around community, connection, and starting 2026 with intention.



It was truly one of the best ways I could have started my year!

Two people share a warm hug in a modern hallway while another person stands in the background.
A young woman in a wheelchair laughs joyfully while holding a lululemon bag in a warmly lit living room.
Woman in wheelchair exits historic brick building via ramp, assisted by friends on a city street.
People walking and a wheelchair user on a teal bridge with a modern glass apartment building in London backdrop.
Group of women posing together outdoors with London city skyline in background on a clear winter day.
Two women posing and laughing on a city street wearing winter coats on a sunny day.
Diverse group of women socializing near a sunlit window, one in a wheelchair, in a modern brick-walled space.
Woman holds up a branded cupcake with a white logo sticker toward the camera in a cafe.
Modern loft event space with exposed brick, hanging plants, and attendees seated watching a presentation.
Blonde woman in pink athletic wear sitting with hands clasped in a contemplative pose.
A young Black woman with braids writes in a notebook, wearing an oversized beige hoodie, seated in a cozy indoor space.
Two people share a warm hug in a cozy brick-walled cafe while a woman stands at the bar nearby.

The Brief


Milly's goal was to capture the essence of the day, and in particular the community energy that the event was rooted in.


This wasn't a shoot about polished portraits or hero brand imagery. It was about documenting the real event including the feeling in the room, the connections between guests and the atmosphere that made the day so special.


On our shot list we added: capture at least one great shot of each person, and one with Milly. These were personally invited guests who each hold a special place in her journey and we wanted to honour that.

The Approach


Events like this one require a particular kind of presence. As the photographer, you're not directing, you're observing. You need to be close enough to catch the moments that matter and invisible enough that people forget you're there. For a day centred on genuine human connection, anything that disrupted that energy would have shown up in the images.


With lululemon involved, the bar for quality was understood from the start. What I focused on was making sure the warmth and authenticity of the day came through in every frame.

The Result


The images were delivered the same day. Milly was able to share them with guests that evening and the response was exactly what you'd hope for. Guests posted them to their own social channels, the content spread organically, and the community the event had been built around continued beyond the room and into the world.

Kind Words from Milly


"Des has the perfect balance between professionalism and approachability. She captured the essence we wanted from the event flawlessly, whilst also seamlessly fitting in to the day, helping with organization, timing prompts and chatting to the lovely guests.


The genuine, positive vibes brought to the day by Des, followed up by the most efficient same-day sharing of the pictures, made the event experience feel truly special.


Thank you so much for being a part of it <3"

Group of smiling women walking outdoors in winter coats on a city sidewalk.

Why Quick Delivery Matters for Events


For event content specifically, speed is part of the value. The energy of a day like this doesn't last long in the social media cycle and people want to share while the feeling is fresh. Being able to put images in a client's hands the same evening means the content lands at exactly the right moment, when guests are still buzzing. It's something I prioritize on event shoots, and it's something clients consistently tell me makes a difference!

People walking along the Thames riverbank with Tate Modern and Millennium Bridge visible in London.

Planning an event in the fitness or wellness space? Let's talk about how to make the imagery work as hard as the day itself.