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Meet the Maker; Revisited.
- Helen
- Sep 11
- 5 min read
Hey! I’m Helen... the face behind Pinky Promise Photography, and your friendly neighbourhood wedding cake thief, confetti enthusiast, and Vans-wearing Disney nerd.
Back in 2020, I wrote my first “Meet the Maker” blog, introducing myself as a six-foot Hufflepuff with questionable music taste and an obsession with dungarees. A few years, a global pandemic, and one wedding of my own later, I thought it was time for a little update. (Spoiler: I still love a pair of dungarees, the jazzier the better!!)
Now a full time Norfolk dweller, but back then I lived half in Essex and half in Norfolk, collecting Disney park memories and trinkets in a makeshift “Pinky HQ.” Fast forward to now... the biggest update: I'm now married, we also snuck in an east coast US and Canada road-trip honeymoon and yes, I walked down the aisle to Simply the Best sung by the Jazzagals (because a Schitt’s Creek moment was non-negotiable).
We came, we snapped, we survived a pandemic!
Let’s be real, 2020 wasn’t exactly on anyones bingo card. I won’t lie... it was tough.
Weddings paused, plans crumbled, but love endured. Now, looking back on that time, I’m so incredibly proud that my business not only survived, it blossomed, deeper into authenticity, warmth, and inclusion than ever before.
I learned resilience, flexibility, and the absolute joy of hugging couples again when their day finally happened.
A crazy time when weddings were on hold... but styled shoots could still go ahead!
Our own wedding: changed plans, pizza & perfect chaos.
Like so many couples I’ve photographed, our wedding plans didn’t quite go the way we first imagined. We’d originally planned a small but "traditional” day with a handful of guests, but then life threw in a little surprise (in the shape of a brand-new nephew with a due date the exact same date as our wedding!) and we ended up completely changing everything.
Instead, we went for something that felt more us: a tiny London elopement with even fewer guests, zero fuss, and all the love. We got ready together in the morning (one of my favourite memories), wrote our own vows, and after the ceremony ditched the formal sit-down meal for pizza and cocktails. Dessert? A good old Colin the Caterpillar cake, obviously.
Once we’d hugged our loved ones goodbye, we slipped off on our own adventure, straight to the theatre, where we saw Back to the Future: The Musical with the best seats in the house. Honestly, it was the most “us” way to end the day: full of laughter, silliness, and a little bit of magic.
And here’s the thing: even though it wasn’t what we originally planned, it turned out to be exactly what it was meant to be. Perfect in its imperfection. Proof that a wedding doesn’t have to tick all the “traditional” boxes to be unforgettable, it just has to feel true to you.
Music: still questionable!
My music taste? Still all over the place. My love of country has grown, my last gig was Mariah Carey, and my next is Busted vs McFly (yes, really). I’m still gutted I couldn’t get tickets to MCR, but I’ll make do with belting out “I'm not okay” in the car on the way to weddings with zero shame.
Haircuts & freedom.
In the spirit of big changes: after the wedding I cut all my hair off. And let me tell you, it was the most freeing thing I’ve ever done. Lighter, bolder, more me. There’s something about shedding what doesn’t serve you (whether that’s hair, opinions, people or old fears) that feels like stepping into your truest self.
You might say my thirties have been about embracing all of me: I've learned to love my height, to lean into my quirks, and more excited than ever to photograph love in all its messy, joyful, colourful glory
On Harry Potter (and letting go)
Back in my 2020 Meet the Maker blog, I proudly shouted about being a Hufflepuff. Harry Potter was such a big part of my life growing up, and those books mean even more to me because my Auntie (who I sadly lost) gave them to me. They’ll always remind me of her love and encouragement to be myself, and for that reason, they’ll always hold a place in my heart.
But the truth is, J.K. Rowling’s harmful views have completely changed my relationship with that world. As someone who believes so strongly in kindness, equality and inclusion, it breaks my heart to see an author I once admired using her platform to exclude and divide.
Here’s where I stand, both personally and professionally: all women, including trans women, are women. Everyone deserves to be celebrated, respected, and safe. Full stop.
As an inclusive wedding photographer, I want every couple who finds me, whether you’re straight, LGBTQ+, trans, non-binary, neurodivergent, or simply don’t fit into "traditional" boxes, to know you are welcome here. I will celebrate you for exactly who you are. My job isn’t just to take beautiful photos; it’s to make sure you feel comfortable, seen, and completely yourselves on one of the most important days of your lives.
So while I don’t shout about being a proud Hufflepuff anymore, I carry forward the values I wish the books had truly stood for: loyalty, kindness, and standing up for what’s right. And those values run through every part of my life and business.
Looking ahead (...40 is calling)
There's still a couple of years, but my 40s are looming on the horizon. And you know what? If my 30s are anything to go by, I can’t wait. There’s something exciting about stepping into the next chapter with even more confidence, more joy, and more willingness to dance badly at weddings with you all.
Why Pinky Promise still matters...
Through it all, one thing hasn’t changed: photography is my Pinky Promise. A vow to tell your story honestly, creatively, and inclusively.
Now, more than ever, I stand firmly in that promise. I’m not just capturing weddings, I’m celebrating human connection, resilience, joy, and the messy, imperfect beauty that makes each of your days uniquely you.
I want you to look back at your photos and remember not just how things looked, but how they felt. Whether it’s a rustic Norfolk barn wedding, a relaxed Essex farm celebration, or a colourful Suffolk wedfest, I’ll be there with confetti in my pockets and cake in my hands, capturing the moments that matter most.
Ready to Catch Up?
Hello to all the new friends, and a big “where have you been?” hug to those who’ve been with me since the start. If you’re planning your unique day or just want to nerd out about Disney rides, road-trip plans or quirky wedding ideas, please pop me a message!
So, if you’re planning a wedding that’s more about belly laughs than stiff traditions, if you want a photographer who’ll happily dive onto the dance floor or hide in a bush to capture the perfect sunset, and if you’re up for letting me sneak an extra slice of cake... then we might just be the perfect match.
If you’re planning your wedding and want photos full of laughter, colour and honesty, I’d love to hear from you!
Want to read the original 2020 “Meet the Maker”? It’s still on the blog... but this is me now: still the same, yet more myself than ever!
