Clippers to Cameras - A Conversation with a Barber-Photographer

Hello, my name is Joe and I run a side hustle as a mobile barber. I started my side business back in 2015 after graduating from SB Barbering academy in the Northeast of England - I was one of the original students to train out of the, now, international academy. Barbering has also allowed me to pursue another one of my passions, photography. I use this to market my business and fuse fashion-photography and hair.

Barbering has allowed me to explore many different aspects of the industry. Through training in a modern environment, I’ve become increasingly creative, and this has given me the confidence to explore different ideas. For instance, through my photography, I’ve captured hair in different environments such as street-urban and other different classic styles of photography.

The biggest one for me was getting published in a barbering magazine. This showcased my barbering and photography work to a much larger audience which was great.

I’ve also collaborated with a local independent vintage store in York - Dog and Bone. Together we created images that fused fashion and hair as a way of marketing both of our businesses. 

Finally, five years after completing my training with SB, I was invited back by the owners of the academy to train and mentor the current batch of students. With this, it felt like my journey had come full circle and I realised how far I had come since starting my own barbering journey five years prior.

Over the past nine years, I have learned that consistency with my work and always valuing my customers is huge for the development of my business.

Respect works both ways, and the type of customers that you want are the ones that appreciate and respect your time and skill. This is something I have absolutely gained from my customers which I will forever be grateful for.

Over the last twelve months I have realised that I also need to allow myself time too. I become quite hard on myself never allowing any time off but as of this year, I’m tailoring in more time off to allow myself a better work life balance.

I’ve changed my business on multiple occasions over the last nine years - mainly the location and service offered.

I have worked from home, rented a space, opened my own space, and now I have found that working mobile is the right thing for me, as this currently fits my current lifestyle much better. I have had customers who have been with me throughout all of these changes and not only does this work better for me, it’s also preferred by my customers. Home visits and evening appointments fit in best with their own lifestyles.

The best way to get in contact is through my Instagram -@bareknucklebarber