Willow Marler - Comedian & Animator
Editorial Personal Brand Portraits for Willow Marler
Three years before our photoshoot, Willow had already imagined it.
Not the exact outfits, lighting setups or backgrounds, but the feeling: a celebration of who they are, how far they’ve come, and the confidence to be fully seen.
Willow is an animator, designer and stand-up comedian whose work is full of colour, creativity and humour. But this session carried a deeper significance too. More than three years after coming out as trans non-binary, Willow wanted to create portraits that celebrated their identity, reflected their confidence. They wanted the images to capture the person they have worked so hard to become.
From our very first conversations, it was clear that this wasn't going to be a standard headshot session.
Willow arrived with a bold creative vision and a clear sense of purpose.
Together, we developed a detailed Shoot Plan that balanced ambition with practicality, creating two distinct visual worlds. One soft, thoughtful and editorial. The other vivid, graphic and unapologetically bold.
The goal was to create imagery that could support both sides of Willow's creative life, from educational animation and design work to stand-up comedy promotion.
What I loved most about this project was how collaborative it became.
Every teeny detail was considered. We explored lighting techniques, colour palettes, styling, props and mood. Hair and makeup artist Katie Gale helped bring each look to life, while my brilliant pal and assistant Emily helped keep the day running smoothly behind the scenes. Together, we created a studio environment where Willow felt fully supported, celebrated and free to express themselves.
The result was a collection of editorial lifestyle portraits that feel playful, stylish and deeply personal. Some images are soft and reflective. Others feel cinematic, colourful and larger than life. Together they capture the many facets of Willow's personality, from thoughtful creative to confident performer.
"The shoot day was an absolute joy and one that I wish I could revisit again and again.
This wasn't just a day of you taking photos of me, it was a day of me being able to freely express myself.
I found myself in an environment where I was fully accepted and celebrated."
— Willow Marler, Comedian & Animator
Perhaps my favourite thing Willow shared afterwards was this:
"The photoshoot achieved what I wanted it to when I first had the idea over three years ago: celebrating my trans identity and showing myself off as the gorgeous non-binary girly that I am. The day itself proved to me that I belong with the girls, no matter what anyone else says."
Photography can do many things. It can support a business, launch a brand or promote a show. Sometimes, though, it can also help someone see themselves clearly.
And that's a pretty magical and special thing to be part of.
