Meet Andi Garbarino: A Brand Photographer for Creatives, Healers and Makers in London
I’m Andi Garbarino, a brand photographer for creatives, healers and makers in London, UK (and beyond!) and I believe your work deserves to be seen without you having to perform for attention. I photograph people who build meaningful things thoughtfully with intention…and help them translate what they feel about their work into visuals that feel honest, warm, and grounded. This space is where I’ll be sharing what I’ve learned about visibility, storytelling, and building a brand that still feels human and authentic, plus–sharing the stories of folks that I’m working with.
Why do I love working with creatives, healers and makers?
Most of the people who find their way in front of my camera aren’t looking to be louder or to be anyone other than themselves when it comes to marketing their small business. That is because who they are is so deeply intertwined with the work that they’re doing and it is incredibly personal. They’re looking to communicate their story clearly so they can find their people. They want their visuals to reflect their values, their process, and the life behind their work. Here’s what defines my approach and why it resonates with the people I photograph.
I am obsessed with stories, not trends.
Trends will come and go, but stories, stories are forever. Don’t get me wrong, I love a disco-ball styled photoshoot as much as the next person, and when that fits in with your brand story it can most certainly work for you. (Plus the thing about making art is that art for art’s sake is important, but that is a chat for another time.) BUT let me tell you, that I believe with my whole heart that stories will change the world for the better. Stories teach empathy, they help us see ourselves in one another, they help us find ourselves and each other, and ultimately, bring us closer together through shared experiences like love, perseverence, the search for meaning and goodness and beauty. And being around creatives and healers and makers, they have such deep care about the work they are doing, I can’t help but want to share thier stories. There is a whole marketing school of thought called StoryBrand by Donald Miller that I am well versed and trained in, and I use that knowldge in my work as a photographer to translate the story of your healing, creative work visually, that way your people can find you and connect with you, and ultimately work with you.
2. I create calm, grounded photo sessions where folks can show up fully as themselves.
You are safe in front of my camera. You are safe sharing the heart and inspiration behind what you do with me. Before becoming a photographer, I trained as an expressive arts therapist, worked in marketing, and also freelanced as a photography assistant and studio assistant. And I’ve also been where you’ve been, as a painter, musician, and photographer stepping in front of another person’s camera! I know it can be intimidating to head to a photoshoot and wonder if it’s going to just be a quick “cross your arms, put your feed up on this stool and say cheese,” moment, or if you’ll end up with images that authentically represent who you are and what you do.
When we work together, you can trust that I will ask the right questions about your work to make sure it translates into a collection of beautiful photographs that document your why, your what and your how. You can expect that on the day of your photoshoot, I’ve got you! I love collaborating with you to tell your story, and my part of that will keep you grounded with a well-planned photoshoot experience that gives you gentle guidance of what to wear, what props to bring, how to pose, and even suggestions of how to use your photos once they’re edited and sent to you. I’m also ready to go with the flow for the ideas you have, trying new things and experiment with you. Whether you are feeling a little unsure or not, either way, when you leave our photo session, you will walk away knowing you have photos that look and feel like the real you, and when you look at your photos in the future, you’ll think of our session together fondly.
3. I connect with thoughtful, heart-centered people because I like to think that I am a thoughtful heart heart-centered person.
I am a highly-sensitive, heart centered person who cares deeply about the way other people feel in my presence. My rapid fire personality type rant is that I am an INFJ (sometimes P?), Enneagram 4w5 (or maybe 1w9), Sagitarius Sun-Aquarius Moon-Scorpio Rising, Manifesting Generator who would have been sorted into Hufflepuff. I love being in nature, I also love being cozy at home with my two dogs and my partner, and I love to travel and see new things. Besides professional sessions, my camera roll is full of flowers and plants and candid street and travel photography. I made a new friend the other day and she asked me, “What gets you out of bed in the morning?” and my answer way “Beautiful things…people, moments, animals, plants, stories, art, music….finding the beauty and the transformation.” I believe life is short and we have to squeeze every last ounce of living out of the moments that we get. I am a serial optimist. I have a rich inner life and I love to sleep because I love to dream. I try to see every situation from every point of view. I love to plan things, but am also completely okay to go with the flow. And I find that when I collaborate with like-minded people…it is absolutley magical.
4. My background blends creativity, leadership, and community.
You didn’t come to the blog to read my CV, but if you wanted to know more about my professional life, keep reading on. I grew up as an artsy kid, always painting, dancing, singing, playing guitar or taking pictures and playing with animals and nature. I went to college and studied music therapy, graduated with my BA in Music and voice, later going on to do some graduate work in expressive arts therapy, though I never pursued professional certification. After that, I worked as a private music and art teacher, even starting a fine-arts community program where kids could learn and create for free after school. Later, I focused more on my own mixed media art practice and career, and also freelanced as a social media marketer as well as a photography assistant for a food and product photographer and a portrait and branding photographer, before launching my own photography business when we moved to the UK in the summer of 2025. Encouraging community access to art and creative practices has always been important to me, and I’ve prioritized volunteering as an arts teacher throughout my life. (Fun fact: I love dogs and started a hybrid community called Boston Dog Moms, where pet parents could make friends and get connected to resources they need to live a happy life together with thier furry/fluffy friends!) I also know the importance of community amongst professional creatives and served as a chapter leader in Boston Business Women for several years before moving to the UK. When creative people get together to share thier widsom and root one another on, the impact on the world around us is far and deep-reaching.
5. I fully believe visibility in your business shouldn’t cost your humanity.
Sometimes it can feel like there are a lot of "RULES FOR MARKETING/BEING A BUSINESS OWNER” when you’re running a business, and it’s easy to get lost in following all of them. But the only most important rule, and probably the reason you became a creative business owner to begin with is this: Stay true to yourself. So, am I very well-versed in marketing trends, photography trends, and how the ever-almighty algorithms work? Yes. Does that mean that I have to loose who I am or encourage you to lose yourself to obey every single rule? No. My approach to creating photos for your business is this: I will absolutely suggest getting shots that I know your people will love, but at the end of the day, your time in front of the camera is YOUR time and the images are meant to show your authentic self in your best and very real light. What’s that quote from the Velveteen Rabbit? “When you are real you can’t be ugly, except to the people who don’t understand you.” Our photos together, they are meant to represent the real you in a way that you are fully understood.
So, that’s me. This blog is where I’ll be sharing reflections on brand photography, visibility, storytelling, and building a business that still feels like home. I’ll also tell the stories of the people I’ve met along the way, places I’ve visited, Dogs that I’ve pet, and a few other juicy things. I’m happy you’re here, and I hope you’ll drop your two cents below in the comments to let me know what we have in common.
If you’re a creative, healer, or maker in London looking for photography that feels honest and human, you’re in the right place.
