Left hand image: Model, Victoria Lindsay Coutts
Top middle image: Model, Twiglet
Bottom right hand image: Portrait of Patrick

I’m also rather flattered to have been mentioned in the interview along with Nick Knight and Tim Walker! I just wish i could read what it says!

So here I am, sitting in my home office at 2.30am, surrounded by candles, drinking Horlicks, and watching The Lion King. And I have no shame. I should be in bed. But I’ve realised that I say and think “I Should” way too often every day. I very rarely say “I want” or “I fancy”, and this is the first thing I’m going to change.


(“I despise guessing games”. Once of my favourite bits of the movie! I love Scar. Jeremy Irons is awesome.)


This has been lingering in my head for a while, swimming up and down in the tide of my thoughts, but I haven’t paid it much attention. So around an hour ago I was lying in bed, netflix on in the background, a snoring partner next to me and a purring kitten curled up on my tummy, thinking how content and relaxed I was at that very moment, and recognised that that particular state of being is rare for me right now, and that “I Should” change that. I was browsing the internet on my phone, and a blog post by Brian Rolfe popped up on my tumblr dashboard. This post in fact. It hit me right in the face and I thought “Yes! This is something I want to do.” In fact, this is something that I need to do. For myself, my friends and my family. But a need in a good way, not in an I Should way.

My daily routine is very much that, a routine. And one that is grinding me down mentally, physically and spiritually, which isn’t a very good combination! I wake up and immediately turn on my computer, make a cup of tea and roll a cigarette, then check my emails and social networks. I then open Photoshop and begin to work. I work until I go to bed at night, only pausing for 5 minutes here or there to make another cup of tea or make a sandwich. Sometimes I will take an hour or two out in the evening to watch tv or a movie with my partner, but that’s about it. The thing is, I rarely see my work as Work. It’s my love, my passion and something I count myself lucky for having every single day. But I have allowed it to take over my life. What exactly am I working for? To pay bills and for Things, and if I’m lucky, for a day out or holiday here or there. This seems kind of pointless to do if I don’t allow myself any time to enjoy those Things or experiences, adventures or socialising. The time I spend socialising is extremely limited by my health (I have M.E) and my workaholism limits it even further. A lot of the time I find myself saying “I can’t, I’ve got so much work to do.” Which is true. But perhaps I should limit that work. Yes earning money is important, and needs to be done, but I don’t have to accept every job that comes my way. Especially the free ones, or the ones for way too little pay. As Brian quoted,

“Stay true to what you love to shoot, dont let anybody change you. Do what you love, shoot what you love, and don’t go chasing money, let the money chase you.” – Kenny Sweeney

I’ve changed myself, and I’ve changed into someone that I don’t particularly like. I neglect way too many parts of my life, my home, my partner and my friends. So this is going to stop starting now. At 2.30am on a snowy Monday night.

I’m a big fan of lists, I make them all the time and leave them lying around the flat, and my partner teases me for it. Affectionately, I think! So anyway, here’s my list.

1. Stop using I Should.
2. Do something to improve the flat every day. Whether it’s something as small as hoovering or the washing up, or something as big as clearing out all the junk from an entire room.
3. Do something to make myself feel better every day. This may be plucking my eyebrows, using a face mask, painting my nails or exercising. Yes it’s girly and a bit shallow, but little things really can help!
4. Do something nice for someone else every day. Even if it’s just some kind words or sending flowers or picking up groceries for someone. It’s important that I let my loved ones know that I care.
5. Spend at least 2 hours of quality time with my partner every day. Time that is not us just sat on the sofa staring at pixels on our phones.
6. Have one day a week where I do zero work. No retouching, no emails. Nothing. And use that time well. Whether it’s relaxing with my feet up, seeing friends or going for a romantic meal. Not only will this improve my life, but it will improve my health.
7. Do at least one large networking thing a week. Such as contacting an agency, or reaching out to a photographer or designer that I admire. This is something that can help bring in work that can make a difference, both creatively and/or financially.

I am still going to work just as hard as I do now, 100% effort will be put into every job that I take on. Whether it be a test, a commission or something that’s just for fun. I still adore photography and retouching, they really are my passion and I can never envision doing anything else. I just need to take it easy on myself, or else I’ll burn out entirely! As there really can be too much of a Good Thing.

Now, back to The Lion King!

Catherine x

Photography: Vijat Mohindra
Model: Lydia Hearst
Wardrobe: Patrick Aufdenkamp
Make Up: Denika Bedrossian
Hair: Peter Savic
Nails: Stephanie Stone
Retouching: Catherine Day

Scenario Number One.
“Oooh! It’s only 2am! That means I get another 5 hours of work time before I inevitably pass out. The night is MINE.”
This happens perhaps 3 times a week, and ends with me deciding to call it quits at 5am “because it’s 5am and I don’t want to, but probably should.”

Scenario Number Two.
“Oh. It’s only 2am. I want to stay up and work til Even Sillier O’Clock but I don’t think I’m going to make it. I’m going to be a stubborn bugger and stay up anyway.”
This happens around once a week, and usually ends with me downing at least 4 face-sized mugs of tea and going to bed at around 4am.

Scenario Number Three.
“Oh DAMNIT! I did it again! I wanted to be normal and go to bed at a decent time but of course I shoved pixels into my eyes for too long and now I’m wide awake. I want to go to sleep but my brain will just sing the Macarena at me.”
This happens perhaps once a week.

Scenario Number Four.
“Oh bloody hell, no wonder I’m so exhausted, I’m going to bed.”
This happens very rarely. Usually when aircraft are dodging pork products.

The sleep part of my brain and I are rarely united in what we want. We are both contrary and stubborn when it comes to the other. I reckon this is pretty common for the rest of the freelancers out there. At least…I hope it is?

This blog post was brought to you by Scenario Number Three, the colour ‘milky tea’ and the need to escape the Macarena. Which will inevitably happen when I eventually give in and attempt to sleep.

Catherine x

Alice Luker for Kensington and Chelsea Magazine
Photographer: Alice Luker
Set Designer: Natasha Dean
Styling: Lauren Miller
Model: Jaz Wasson @ Next and Sasha Attwood @ Select
MUA: Anna Priadka
Hair: Hiro Hirato
Retouching: Catherine Day

And here are the ones that didn’t make it into the magazine, but I wanted to share them anyway as I think they’re beautiful!

“Wide Awake Dreaming” Natalie J Watts for IDOL Magzine.
Photography: Natalie J Watts
Styling: Camilla Ashworth
Make up, Nails and Hair: Mira Parmar
Model: Stacy Grant at Models 1
Retouching: Catherine Day
Stylists Assistant: Chloe Pierre

Most people are unaware that as well as fashion and beauty, I also retouch products. Here are some examples from this year…

So yeah, there we go! If you want to book me for a retouch job, feel free to send me an email at info@catherine-day.com

Catherine x