I often get intimidated when I go to camera shops. While in London, I went into one to check out the cameras I’d been drooling over online. The middle aged man in the shop asked me what I already have so I explained that my DSLR was getting old and faulty and I loved using my newer mirrorless but it wasn’t good enough quality to take on my jobs. That’s all I said. My. Jobs.

Shortly after, he handed me over to his colleague and repeated what I’d said but with one crucial difference. He said, ‘it’s not good enough quality to take on her wedding jobs’. There is was, sexism and assumptions thrown at me like a bunch of flying knives in broad daylight.

Now I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with being a wedding photographer, I have a huge amount of respect for people who do it. Sure, I have shot a few weddings in the past but it's not what I identify as and to assume what kind of photographer I am based on my gender is not okay.

But I’m not here just to complain and be the victim. I’m here to say that when we speak up, that’s when real change is made. So as scary as it was, I used my voice. I explained that I’m working hard to make it in such a male-dominated industry so that I can help level the playing field and lead by example. I’m hoping the guys in that shop never again put assumptions on their female customers and urge you to think before assuming anything about the person standing before you. If we lead with curiosity and not assumption, we’ll move much quicker towards equality.