MEET

GEMMA

aka The Duchess of Joy; mother of four, creative strategist, joyful rebel

You’re not too much. The world just got too greige and boring.

Let’s be honest, life can feel like a whirlwind of laundry piles, calendar alerts, and half-drunk cups of tea. Somewhere between school runs, pointless meetings, email pings, and wondering what’s for dinner (again), a lot of us have misplaced our joy.

I should know - I’ve done it too.

But I’ve also made it my business to find it again. Not in some grand, life-changing way. But in the little things. The ordinary things. The underrated but deeply fabulous things.

I’m Gemma; mother of four, brand photographer, founder of The Joyful Rebellion, and unashamed joy enthusiast. Also known (depending who you ask) as The Duchess of Joy, a title I gave myself when I realised life’s best moments don’t need to be earned, outsourced, or perfectly curated. They just need to be noticed.

These days, I help women (and teams, and creative rebels) reclaim joy on their own terms - in their lives, their work, and their homes. I also collect blue and white crockery like it’s a competitive sport, sing my heart out at musicals, am partial to a well stocked picnic, and strongly believe champagne counts as self-care.

I BELIEVE:

Joy isn’t a luxury or a mood, it’s a muscle. When you remember what lights you up (and stop apologising for it), you lead with more magic, raise happier humans, build braver businesses, and feel like yourself again.

I NOT ABOUT:

Perfection, pressure, or performative positivity. I don’t do beige advice, endless to-do lists, or pretending everything’s fine when your soul feels like a crumpled napkin. I’m here for real joy, the kind you can feel in your bones and belly-laughs.

YOU CAN FIND ME:

In Somerset with a blanket, a basket, and probably a toddler (sometimes a disgruntled teen) hanging off my leg, singing show tunes in the kitchen, scouring antique shops for blue and white crockery, or helping people swap burnout for a little bit of brilliant.

I’M HERE TOO:

Help wonderful humans, remember what joy feels like, not someday, not when everything’s sorted, but right now, in the middle of the mess, with crumbs on the floor and champagne in the fridge.

What I’m Known For

💫 Reigniting joy in women who’ve lost their sparkle (spoiler: it’s not gone, just buried under laundry)

📸 Creating joy-filled brand photography that actually feels like you, and capturing family seasons you’ll treasure forever

🧺 Turning picnics into a personality trait (because obviously)

📊 Helping teams rediscover purpose, energy, and humanity at work — no buzzwords, just real change

🎤 Spreading joy by sharing what I’ve learned - knowledge is power, and I do love a good chat

👑 Running a home, a business, and a very well-used executive taxi firm (aka: my four children). Often in wellies. Usually with a messy bun.

Ways We Can Work Together

The Joyful Rebellion

Culture, leadership, and strategy fuelled by joy. I help teams and founders rebuild workplace culture from the inside out. Think practical support, playful wisdom, and zero corporate fluff. Because joy isn’t frivolous, it’s your secret weapon.

Lead with Joy
Photography

Brand photography for brilliant women who are done with bland, and family portraits for those who want the real moments captured. I photograph you; joyful, human, and entirely yourself, with storytelling images that reflect the heart of your brand or the beauty of your everyday. Bonus points if you bring cake.

Book a Shoot
The Joy Letter

A monthly-ish love note from me. Expect personal musings, practical joy, cheeky pep talks, free resources, and inbox magic that feels more like a kitchen disco than a filing cabinet.

Sign Up
The Joy Seekers Club

A not-too-serious club for women who are done with the burnout, the beige, and the pretending. Think joyful rituals, monthly coaching calls, guest experts, and seasonal sparkle. It’s like a book club, but with prosecco and better life choices.

Join the waitlist
The Piknic Club

A love letter to the lost art of picnicking; part history project, part how-to guide, and entirely fuelled by joy. The Piknic Club blog serves up alfresco advice, vintage picnic basket appreciation, and tips for turning outdoor meals into memory-making magic.

Click Here

My Joy Philosophy

(in case you’re wondering)

Joy isn’t fluffy. It’s foundational.

It’s not about doing more, it’s about doing what matters.

It’s found in community, connection, and choosing beauty even when the world feels bleh.

I believe in joyful leadership, too much magic, and building a life that feels as good as it looks (even if the toddler’s just drawn on the wall again).

Why I Do This

Because joy isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a way of leading, living, parenting, and showing up.

Because too many people feel like they’ve lost the spark, and I want to help them find it again.

Because connection matters. Beauty matters. And how we feel matters.

This work is about giving people permission to slow down, tune in, and remember what makes them feel most them.

SUPER FUN

NOW FOR THE IMPORTANT STUFF

FACTS

01

Sunsets over sunrises, always. I’ve never met a 6am I liked.

02

Gingham is a neutral, I consider it my picnic-based personality trait.

03

I collect blue and white crockery like it’s a competitive national sport.

04

Champagne goes with everything (including leisurely hikes, breakdowns, birthdays, Tuesday afternoons and business plans).

05

OK publicly I haven't shared this because I'm a little embarrassed, but I have a HUGE fear of popping balloons! I’ve birthed four humans but will leave the room if someone inflates a balloon.