29 May 2024
We ask a different figure from the local community to choose 10 questions to answer from a list of 50. This week: Nevina Holland, specialist newborn photographer and founder of Peekaboo Studios based in St Albans – www.peekaboostudios.co.uk
www.facebook.com/peekaboostudiosuk
Where do you walk when you want to think?
I walk around my village of London Colney twice a week, mainly around Napsbury, which boasts some lovely woodland, nature and wildlife. I do it as part of my work-life balance and to allow myself some much needed ‘me-time’ as a busy, working mum of two, who runs her own successful photography business. I normally listen to health and well-being podcasts such as Gabby Bernstein or entrepreneurial podcasts like Steven Bartlett.
Do you ever Google yourself?
Yes, all the time. I like to see where I rank in my area as a specialist newborn photographer at any given time but also because I come from a public relations background so I like to see all the articles that I have contributed to over the past few years, some of
which I generated myself, to promote what I do.
What’s the first thing you do after you’ve woken up in the morning?
I wake up daily between 5-6am and meditate for around 20 minutes. I have been doing this for the last six years and it has noticeably promoted better sleep, confidence and happiness in me.
What items do you always carry with you?
My phone. You never know when you may need to use your phone in an emergency. I am also forever taking photographs, whether it be inspiration for my latest photo shoot or taking pictures of my own children/family in everyday situations. I always have in the back of my mind to continuously take photographs of my precious family so that I/they have a memory bank to look at. Life is too short and I like to look back through the years and see everything I have achieved.
Are things getter better or worse?
It pains me to think that the climate crisis is getting worse for the next generation. I try to do my bit with my own business by promoting Bamboo Nappies http://mamabamboo.com to my newborn mummy clients and by being involved with monthly tree planting with https://ecologi.com to offset a bit of my carbon footprint. Anything is better than nothing.
Dogs or cats?
I’ve never had a proper pet all my life but in lockdown we got a kitten for our children to help them cope with the changing world and not seeing their friends. It was one of the best things we ever did. Teddy is a very handsome tabby cat with the most beautiful markings. He is a true member of our family and brought us all together and stronger at a time when the world around us was in chaos.
What was your first job?
My first job was a media analyst working within a corporate press office, back in 2000, just after uni. For the next 10 years, I built a strong public relations career mainly within the retail industry. After I had my first baby, I launched my very own photography business specialising in baby photography. Now, Peekaboo Studios is a multi award-winning brand recognised by many in the St Albans area. The best thing about my job is that I work from my home studio, which is a converted garage and means I can do my school runs and still be a mum to my two children.
If you could travel back in time and offer your younger self some advice, what would it be?
To be yourself. Don’t care what other people think. Love yourself and be proud of yourself. Practice gratitude for the smallest things on a daily basis and not rely on others to make you happy.
Create your own happiness and if you can do that, the rest will follow.
Where do you most like to have a picnic in St Albans?
I was born and bred in St Albans and have lived here for over 40 years. It is such a wonderful place to raise a family and there are so many places that I love to meet with friends but my favourite places to picnic would be at the lakes in London Colney which is so picturesque in the summer time, just over the bridge, near the Green Dragon or outside the St Albans Cathedral and Verulamium Park where the grounds are so beautiful and great for children.
What TV did you watch as a child?
This is really showing my age now but my most favourite programmes as a child were Ragdolly Anna, Button Moon and Bagpuss. They don’t make kids TV like they used to – sigh…
