What does it really mean to be seen? In this episode of Psychologically Speaking, I sit down with Karen Staniland- Platt, a Manchester-based photographer and writer who’s passionate about capturing women as they truly are.

We talk about what happens when women step in front of the camera: the nerves, the joy, the shift in self-image that can follow. Our conversation ranges from the pressures of social media filters to the liberation of candid photography, and why authenticity is such a powerful antidote to perfection.

Karen also shares the story behind the Passion and Purpose Club, a community she created to bring women together during the isolation of COVID a space that’s grown into a source of connection, courage, and inspiration.

This episode is about more than photos. It’s about women reclaiming visibility, finding freedom in aging, and choosing to show up as ourselves even when the world is telling us otherwise.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• How photography can help women be seen and celebrated authentically
• Why Karen built the Passion and Purpose Club and how it continues to empower women
• The double-edged impact of social media on self-image
• How candid shots can unlock genuine joy and self-acceptance
• Why visibility matters so much for women in life and business
• The unexpected freedom that comes with aging and self-reflection
• The role of community in breaking isolation and boosting confidence

Karen is a photographer working exclusively with women across the UK who are following their passions, be it running their own business, a cause or a creative pursuit. A fierce feminist, she loves to challenge both how we show up in the world and how we as women are viewed in it, and uses photography to empower women to embrace who they truly are. In 2021 she founded a community for women called the Passion & Purpose Club that brings women together to inspire each other and get fresh photos on a monthly basis, increasing their visibility together. Clubs are now operating across the North of England and London with more to come. Find out more at www.withpassionandpurpose.co.uk