If you caught our latest Guest Session with the brilliant Amy from Rock the Heirloom and the Pimlico Project, you’ll know it was packed full of gems. It was one of those chats where you take mental notes, and then immediately want to rearrange a shelf or plan a creative breakfast meeting. (Just us?!)

Amy runs a location house in central London, hosting photoshoots, events, brand meet-ups, and is doing it all with huge creative flair and proper intention. She’s also managing an antiques business in Surrey while raising a family - making it all look effortless.

But here’s the bit we really wanted to pull out: Amy’s doing it her way. She’s not bending her space or her business to fit a template. She’s working out what works for her life, and then backing herself. And we’re huge fans of that energy and mindset.

Because here’s the thing - shoot hosting isn’t one-size-fits-all. And it shouldn’t be.

At The Shoot Academy, we always say ‘your house, your rules’. Yes, there are industry standards and best practices, and we cover all of that inside the course. But the heart of what we teach is about showing you what’s possible, and then helping you work out how to do it your way.

Amy’s decided filming isn’t for her right now  -  too disruptive, too many shoes, and one very beautiful yellow runner to protect. So she’s focused on stills shoots (= photographic only), which bring in steady income and can be managed around everything else in her daily life. She’s tapped into her values and ethos - sustainability, colour, creativity - and built partnerships and bookings that reflect that. Check out Edward Bulmer and That Rebel House to get a feel. 

She’s also been smart about the way she markets herself. Local word of mouth. Invite-only events. Instagram storytelling. Brand collabs. None of it flashy, all of it intentional. And it works.

It’s also a lovely reminder that your space doesn’t have to be a blank canvas to be a great shoot location. Amy’s house isn’t neutral - it’s filled with vintage pieces, pops of colour, soft furnishings, personality. And guess what? That’s exactly why people book it.

So, a few things we loved from Amy’s episode that are worth remembering:

• Versatility matters. You don’t have to just do shoots - your home can host all sorts of creative things.
  
  
• You get to decide the boundaries. Want to be there for shoots? Great. Don’t want to host filming? Also fine.
  
  
• Lean into your values. The right people will be drawn to what you’re doing - especially if you’re doing it with honesty and heart.
  
  
• Start where you are. Amy didn’t wait until everything was ‘done’ - she used what she had and made it work.
  
  

If you’re already part of The Shoot Academy, bring any questions about this into our next Thursday drop-in - whether it’s styling confidence, boundaries, or how to run a breakfast event that doesn’t feel awkward. 

And if you’re not yet a member but this blog or Amy’s session sparked interest? Come and join us at The Shoot Academy. We’re not just here to show you how to do it - we’re here to help you figure out the way that works for you.

You can get started today with just £49 upfront, and you’ll only pay the balance once you land your first shoot. No pressure, no fluff - just the support and strategy to actually get you booked. 

Catch the full episode with Amy here.

And as always, 

Happy Hosting x

Suzie and Louise

https://www.theshootacademy.com/guest-session-tsa