Mental Health Awareness Week 2025: Edward

Harrods: Thank you so much for your time today, Ed. Can you tell us more about your role at Harrods?
Edward: I lead a team of 24 photographers, including myself. I oversee and support 23 incredibly talented photographers. We shoot everything from e-commerce product shots to social content, editorial, campaign imagery, and even for the Harrods magazine. I don’t shoot much anymore myself; my job now is to manage and support the team, make sure they’re where they need to be, and keep everything running smoothly.

Harrods: What does a typical day look like for you?
Edward: Every day’s a bit different, which I love. I’m usually at our City Road studio where most of our e-commerce photography happens, but I can also be at Hammersmith, Knightsbridge, or on location. I work Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm, though those hours can flex depending on what’s going on.

Harrods: We really appreciate talking to us for Mental Health Awareness week. What does mental well-being mean to you?
Edward: It means a lot to me. I’m a family man, so when I come home, I need to be present and available. For me, that balance between work and life is essential. It’s what keeps me grounded.

Harrods: And how do you personally look after your mental well-being?
Edward: Saturdays are sacred to me. I travel in from Worthing (a seaside town and borough in West Sussex), so I don’t see my kids much during the week. I usually leave before they wake up and get back after they’ve gone to bed. But Saturdays? That’s our time. My daughter has swimming lessons and my little boy goes to football practice, and I’m there with them, just having fun. It brings me back to earth. It reminds me what really matters.

Harrods: That sounds like such a meaningful routine. Have you always placed importance on maintaining good mental health?
Edward: Honestly, no. In my previous roles, I’ve worked in high-pressure studios as a photographer. It was a totally different pace. The pressure followed you home. There wasn’t always that space to switch off. What I love about Harrods is that there is that boundary. It’s okay to disconnect. One of our employee values is 'We Are Human,' and this principle is genuinely reflected in our actions and the way you are treated.

Harrods: With such a dynamic role - long hours, exciting creative work, and team leadership - how do you ensure you maintain your personal wellbeing?
Edward: It’s not always easy. But I’ve learned that giving myself the space to reset is vital. Being with my family, being around people I love, that’s what resets me. I also try to offload a bit, talk things through with people I trust.

Harrods: Which brings us to this year’s theme: Community. What does that mean to you?
Edward: My family is my community. I lean on them a lot. I talk to my wife, my brother, my parents. My wife’s a photographer too, so she really understands the pressures of the job. I’ll come home and say, “That was a tough shoot,” and she gets it. I also try to check in with them. Not just offload, but ask how they’re doing too. It’s a two-way street, that support.

Harrods: If you could go back and talk to yourself during a particularly tough moment, maybe during one of those long, exhausting weeks, what would you say?
Edward: I’d say don’t try to do it all on your own. You’ve got a team for a reason. My team is incredible. We support each other and share the load. And that helps so much. You can’t hold everything yourself, and you don’t have to.

Harrods: That’s such important advice. You also mentioned earlier that Harrods has supported you with your family commitments, would you mind sharing more about that?
Edward: Not at all. My daughter is autistic and non-verbal, so there are extra responsibilities there. I need to be present, and Harrods has always been incredibly supportive of that. They understand the bigger picture. That kind of empathy in the workplace, it makes a huge difference.

Harrods: Thank you so much for sharing all of this, Ed. It’s really powerful to hear how your family and your team both play such a big role in your well-being, and how work and life can exist in harmony when the right support is in place.
Edward: My pleasure. Thanks for taking the time