Creative Coaching · Mentoring · Consulting · London
Creative Coaching & Mentoring
for Artists and Photographers
in London
Supporting photographers, artists and creative professionals across the UK to build sustainable, fulfilling careers since 2015.
Jamie Melville · MA · ARPS · AIEP · London, UK
For creatives who are ready to grow
As well as my photography practice, I work as a coach and mentor to creative professionals across the UK. My mission is to help photographers, artists and creative entrepreneurs navigate the rewarding — and sometimes overwhelming — world of self-employment. Whether you are just starting out or looking to take your creative business to the next level, I am here to provide the guidance, support and practical strategies you need to succeed.
I work with all kinds of creative professionals — from those just testing the waters of self-employment to those who have been practising for years and are ready to grow or scale. No matter where you are in your journey, I am here to help you grow in a way that feels right for you.
Practical, personal, grounded in experience
As a working photographer and business owner, I know first-hand how challenging it can be to turn a creative practice into a sustainable livelihood. Running your own show is not just about producing excellent work — it is about mastering marketing, managing finances, developing systems and staying motivated through the highs and lows of a creative career.
I am passionate about helping my clients find clarity, build confidence, and create businesses that not only thrive but bring them joy and fulfilment. From crafting business plans to developing your marketing strategy, I will walk alongside you every step of the way.
Since 2015, I have worked with a diverse range of professional artists and business owners at very different stages of their businesses and careers, from varied creative disciplines.
What we work on together
Each programme is tailored to your individual needs and goals. Sessions typically draw on a combination of the following areas, shaped around where you are and what matters most to you right now.
Confidence & creative identity
Building the self-belief and resilience to sustain a creative practice on your own terms.
Business & action planning
Translating your goals into a clear, workable plan with concrete next steps and milestones.
Creative strategy
Developing a coherent direction for your practice, positioning and longer-term vision.
Website planning & building
Structuring and developing your online presence so it genuinely works for your business.
Marketing & communications
Guidance on reaching the right audience — SEO, social media, networking and client communications.
Filling knowledge gaps
Addressing the specific things you do not yet know — from pricing to contracts to industry norms.
Live project guidance
Hands-on support and a sounding board for active commissions, pitches or projects in progress.
Client & workplace situations
Navigating specific challenges with clients, collaborators or the day-to-day realities of self-employment.
Career development
Long-term thinking about where your practice is heading and the steps to get you there.
How it works
The coaching and mentoring programme is built around a series of one-to-one sessions, designed to give you consistent, ongoing support rather than a single conversation.
Discovery call
We begin with a free conversation to understand your situation, goals and what you want to get from the programme. There is no obligation — it is simply a chance to see whether we are a good fit.
Tailored sessions
Sessions are held one-to-one, scheduled fortnightly or monthly, and shaped entirely around your needs. The initial programme typically runs over a three-month period, with each session building on the last.
Ongoing support
Many clients continue beyond the initial three months. As your practice evolves, the focus of sessions shifts accordingly — from early foundations to growth, scaling or navigating new challenges.
Jamie Melville
MA · ARPS · AIEP · LondonJamie Melville is an Associate of The Royal Photographic Society (RPS), Accredited Member of the Association of Photographers (AoP) and an Accredited Associate of the Institute of Employability Professionals (IEP).
Over time, my coaching and mentoring programme has been designed and developed, and is based around a series of 1-to-1 sessions scheduled fortnightly or monthly, typically over an initial three-month period.
Coaching and mentoring sessions are tailored to individual needs. My goal is to equip you with the tools and mindset needed to make your creative ambitions a reality — and to build a business that not only sustains you, but brings you genuine fulfilment.
Get in touchWhat clients say
"I was working with Jamie for more than 8 months. He is very supportive and amazing coach. Such a kind, friendly human with great sense of humor. Always was pushing me to my goals and when I was feeling down and was not believing in myself, he always was cheering me up. In our meeting we not only discussed plans, but also shared a useful info like books and podcasts. I would highly recommend him as a mentor and coach for anyone who needs help with achieving their goals."Kate · London, UK
"I think is not easy to fund the best words to describe how much Jamie helped me to build my amazing website and understanding how my website works, and with many other things. He is absolutely the best choice if you need a trustful, fully skilled Coach & Mentor. And is a big plus, that he is a Photographer (My opinion, that one of the best I meet!)"Eva · London, UK
"I like the way he explains difficult things in a simple way and that he has so much knowledge in the way I can grow my business. He gave me lots of great ideas and recourses in terms of SEO, social media & networking. When I get stuck with something he always have advise on how I can get to my goal through different approach. After our session I always have strategic plan of actions, which is huge relief for me. He also has light and easy view on things that align with me and great personality. Highly recommended."Elena · London, UK
Website Design & Builds via Squarespace
Your website is the digital front door to your creative business. Whether you are launching a new venture or refreshing an existing brand, I offer a service where I can craft a Squarespace site that looks stunning, works seamlessly on every device, and reflects exactly who you are and what you do.
What you will get
- A bespoke design tailored to your brand's personality and goals
- Mobile-responsive layouts that look great on phones, tablets and desktops
- Clear navigation and page structure to guide visitors straight to your call to action
- Built-in SEO best practices so you are findable on Google
- Simple, user-friendly editing tools so you can update images, text and posts yourself
- Optional e-commerce setup for selling prints, products or services online
The process
- Discovery call — exploring your vision, target audience and must-have features
- Design mockup — a home-page concept for your feedback and tweaks
- Development and content migration — building the site, migrating content and optimising images
- Launch and training — walking you through the Squarespace editor so you feel confident managing it
Jamie is an accredited Squarespace Circle Member — a mark of advanced expertise awarded to professional Squarespace designers.
Frequently asked questions
Creative coaching and mentoring is a structured, one-to-one support process designed to help you clarify your direction, build confidence and take meaningful action in your creative career or business. Sessions combine practical strategy with reflective conversation, covering everything from business planning and marketing to mindset and creative development — all tailored specifically to the challenges photographers, artists and other creative professionals face.
This service is for photographers, visual artists, filmmakers and other creative professionals based in London and across the UK. Whether you are just starting out in self-employment, looking to grow an established practice, or navigating a specific challenge in your career, the programme is shaped around where you are right now. Since 2015, I have worked with professionals from a wide range of creative disciplines at very different stages of their careers.
Traditional business coaching often applies generic commercial frameworks that do not account for the specific realities of creative self-employment. Creative mentoring draws on lived experience within the creative industries, meaning the support is grounded in an understanding of the particular challenges photographers and artists face — from pricing and licensing to artistic identity, finding your audience and sustaining your practice over the long term.
The initial programme typically runs over three months, with sessions scheduled fortnightly or monthly depending on your needs and preferred pace. Ongoing support beyond the initial period is available for clients who wish to continue, and many do. The structure is flexible — it is designed around what will genuinely serve you best.
Sessions can be held online via video call, making the programme accessible to creatives across the whole of the UK. In-person sessions in London can also be arranged where practical. Both formats work well and many long-term clients prefer the flexibility of online sessions.
Yes — photographers make up a significant part of my client base, and as a working photographer myself I understand the specific pressures of the industry in London and the UK. Whether you are building a client base, working on your positioning, tackling your website, pricing your work or simply looking for a sounding board, the programme is well-suited to where you are.
The first step is a free discovery call — a chance to talk through your situation, your goals and whether the programme is a good fit. There is no pressure or obligation. You can get in touch via the contact page on this site, or send a message directly on WhatsApp. I will usually respond within a day or two.
Let's work together
Ready to talk about your goals? Get in touch for a free, no-obligation discovery call.