Showing up as You in the Photo
In this episode of Be Truly Heard, host Anne Leatherland is joined by Matt Glover, brand photographer and author of a self-published cookbook, who helps business owners create images that genuinely reflect who they are.
The conversation explores the connection between how we look, how we sound and how we feel - and why showing up authentically in business is as much a visual challenge as a vocal one. From working with clients who have never appeared in their own family photos to his own ADHD diagnosis and what it unlocked, Matt brings warmth, honesty and a refreshing perspective on what it really means to be seen.
Key Takeaways
Listening before photographing is what changes everything.Understanding what a client is uncomfortable with - whether that is smiling, their profile or simply being looked at - means Matt can create the conditions for genuine shots rather than forced ones.
One throwaway comment can shape how someone sees themselves for years. Clients arrive with beliefs about being unphotogenic that often trace back to a single moment. A few minutes of honest conversation and a handful of good shots can undo years of that story.
Showing the images during the shoot builds trust immediately. When a client sees a strong shot on the back of the camera mid-session, they relax. They stop wondering whether it is working and start enjoying the process.
The breath does the same job for photographers as it does for voice coaches. Asking someone to take a deep breath and smile on the exhale produces a real expression every time. It is the same nervous system reset that Anne uses in her own work.
Only take advice from people who understand the sticking points. A stranger's passing judgement and a fellow business owner's considered view are not the same thing.
Knowing whose opinion to take seriously is a skill worth developing.ake seriously is a skill worth developing.
Key Moments
"I listen to the person, not what the world is telling us we're supposed to be doing."
"The diagnosis helped me forgive myself for everything I didn't really do wrong anyway."
"Take a deep breath and smile when you exhale. That smile is real - because there is energy flowing."
"Would I have asked that person for advice? No. So why would I be taking it?"
About Be Truly Heard
Be Truly Heard is the podcast for women in business who want to speak with authority, warmth and authenticity. Hosted by Anne Leatherland, coach and voice expert, each episode explores vocal skills and personal growth strategies to help listeners overcome