Accelerating visibility: Damilola Felicia Badmus on the power of professional photography

Professional headshot and corporate photographer Damilola Felicia Badmus, from Reguim Essence Photography, shares her inspirations, challenges and key advices with the Greater Birmingham business community ahead of International Women’s Day.

What inspired your career or business journey?

My journey into photography started in 2018 when my mom bought me my first camera.

I’ve always been passionate about helping people present themselves professionally, especially through images, because people connect faster when they can see you.

Corporate photography became my focus because I understand the importance of visibility in business. A strong headshot isn’t just a photo—it’s a statement of confidence, credibility, and personal branding.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a woman in business and how did you overcome it?

One of my biggest challenges has been balancing work and family. As a wife and now a mom, I’ve had to prioritise differently, knowing that sometimes I can’t be everywhere I want to be—whether because my child is too young or because I need to put my family first.

I’ve overcome this challenge by leveraging social media to enhance my reach and visibility.

Although it’s still a work in progress and I’m not yet where I want to be, being intentional with my content and consistently showing up online has allowed me to grow my business, even when I couldn't be physically present at every opportunity.

What’s one key piece of advice for women looking to succeed in your industry?

Have a skill and own it. Whether it’s photography or something else, your skills give you independence and open doors.

Also, don’t underestimate the power of social media and networking—they can help you grow beyond your immediate location.

How has gender equality in business changed and what still needs to improve?

We’ve made progress—more women are stepping into leadership roles, and there’s a louder conversation around equal pay and opportunities.

However, there’s still a gap, especially in areas like pay transparency and work flexibility.

Many women, particularly moms, are forced to leave the workforce because childcare is expensive and workplaces aren’t always accommodating.

There needs to be more remote and hybrid job opportunities to allow women to thrive in their careers without sacrificing family life.

How has being part of GBCC supported your business or career?

When I wanted to rebuild my visibility as a photographer, I spoke to some GBCC members, and their support was incredible.

They gave me opportunities to photograph a few people at events, and those images got great responses.

They also shouted me out on LinkedIn, which boosted my visibility. Beyond that, they even offered to write a cover story about my work, which was a huge opportunity. I’ve found that if you engage, ask questions, and get involved, GBCC can be a great platform for growth.

This year’s IWD theme is Accelerate Action. Given that gender parity may take until 2158 what does IWD mean to you, and how can we drive faster change?

International Women’s Day is not just a celebration—it’s a reminder that we need to keep pushing for real change.

If gender equality is still over 130 years away, then we are moving too slowly. We need action—equal pay, better work policies, and more access to skills and education for women worldwide.

Women are already proving their value, but we need systems that truly support them.

The more we push, speak up, and demand change, the faster we’ll see progress.