How Brand Photography Helped ... Safi Abdi Show Up With Confidence and Clarity - A Case Study

This month, I’m really pleased to introduce you to Safi Abdi, a qualified psychotherapist doing deeply impactful work whose visibility didn’t match the stage she was ready to step onto.

Safi’s work focuses on neurodiversity, family support, and helping people understand the deeper roots of their behaviours and is grounded in a powerful belief that real change doesn’t come from surface-level solutions but from understanding ourselves more deeply.

As she says, “the tree will never be healthy unless the roots and soil are treated; early intervention is key.”

Safi’s work evolved, and her ambition grew; at this stage, she recognised that her visibility needed to evolve too.

Why Visibility Mattered: Showing Up at the Right Level

Investing in brand photography wasn’t just about “getting some nice photos.” It was about stepping into a bigger space.

Safi wanted to:

●      Influence at a higher level

●      Be part of more strategic conversations

●      Open doors into spaces like the NHS and academic institutions

But without the right visual presence, those opportunities can be harder to access - not because the expertise isn’t there, but because it’s not being fully seen.   As Safi said:

“I needed my image to feel solid—something I wasn’t worried about, something I was proud of.”

Safi knew that the way she was showing up visually wasn’t yet reflecting the level she was operating at. Her image needed to match her expertise. This is something I see quite often: people doing powerful, high-level work, whose visibility hasn’t quite caught up yet.

When we first met through a local networking group, Safi saw my work and how I present myself and said she felt a strong alignment, she knew she wanted to work with me.“I liked the sound of Liz when I met her, and I really liked her pictures. That was it, really. I’m really intuitive with these things. I was looking for somebody who would resonated with my style. I knew what wanted from my shoot which was to represent me and my brand”

Planning Together: Creating Space to Think Differently

One of the things Safi valued most was the space to think and plan before the shoot. Through our pre-shoot conversations, we explored:

●      How she wanted to be seen

●      The level she was stepping into

●      How her imagery could support that

These conversations are important because they create clarity, alignment, and a stronger sense of how you want to show up. Coming into the process, she knew she wanted her visuals to feel more aligned with the space she was moving into, and she trusted me to guide her through the process.

“Liz was able to articulate exactly what I wanted, was able to find locations that suited me and my style, which I was delighted with”

Not only that, Safi tells me that she felt comfortable in these calls and appreciated being able to ask questions and explore options together. That sense of ease before the shoot makes a real difference to how people show up on the day of the shoot.

The Photoshoot: Enjoying the Main Character Energy

The planning calls gave Safi some confidence before the shoot, so when the day came, she felt prepared, supported, and able to relax into the experience.

“It was so much fun. I didn’t realise how much I’d enjoy being in front of the camera. It made

me feel like the main character in my life, which we don’t often allow ourselves to be.”

With a carefully chosen location, multiple outfit options, and a plan of what was wanted, the shoot wasn’t just productive but actually enjoyable. And when someone feels relaxed and prepared, it shows — in how they carry themselves, how they express themselves, and ultimately in the strength of the images we create.

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From Images to Impact

Of course, enjoying the shoot is important, but what really matters is how those images work for you afterwards. “I felt really special and really, really delighted with the outcome with the photos when I received them."

Safi’s reaction when seeing the final photos was feeling really good. She loved having so many wonderful shots to choose from, each supporting different options for her business.

"I already using them for social media, and as part of my website,  I will definitely come to use long into the future"

This variety means the images have become practical tools to support Safi’s visibility across

multiple platforms and contexts. “They felt amazing. I had so many options—maybe four or

five real favourites. It’s great having images ready for different uses, especially when

guesting on podcasts.”

Results: Building Visibility That Works for the Long-Term

One of the things I love about my work is seeing the photos I take doing their job out in the real world. Safi has done a great job, using her images across multiple platforms, including her website, podcast show-notes, media opportunities, and social media.

These images have become part of her ongoing visibility strategy; she sees them as a long-term investment and valuable business asset. Even recognising them as a legitimate business expense — a reflection of how integral they’ve become to her growth.

More importantly, they’ve made it easier for her to show up consistently and confidently, knowing her visuals reflect the level she’s working at.

While Safi’s business has grown and changed since we first worked together, she says she still finds opportunities to use those original photos.“It’s definitely a long-term investment. They’ve carried me through for years.”

Seen, Recognised and Remembered

Safi said that the response to her images has been overwhelmingly positive with friends and clients regularly commenting on them.

And that response matters — because when your visuals align with who you are and the level you’re operating at, people feel it.

Crucially, Safi herself is confident that these images reflect her, her position and work, giving her confidence in how she is presenting herself to the world.

Why Collaboration Matters: More Than Just a Photoshoot

Safi highlighted the importance of the experience as a whole, not just the final images.

“Liz is so great to work with, so lovely… she’s become part of my business world.”

From planning through to delivery, feeling supported, heard, and understood made a significant difference. My role isn’t just to take photos, it’s to guide that process so you can step into visibility in a way that feels aligned, intentional, and sustainable.

So many of the people I work with are doing deep, meaningful work, but their visibility doesn’t always reflect that straight away.

Safi’s story is a great example of what can happen when those two things come into alignment. When your expertise, your ambition, and your visual presence all match, new opportunities start to open up.

If you’re doing work that matters but feel like your visibility doesn’t quite reflect the level you’re operating at, this is often the missing piece. And if you’ve been considering how your image fits the space you want to be seen in, I’d love to help. You can book a discovery call with me here https://calendly.com/lizdevonshire69

And I'd love you to follow me on Instagram and Linkedin so I can share more about myself and my business with you.

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