NEW SPOTLIGHT SERIES: Meeting the local women involved in the Ladies First Charity Calendar - Jane Collier
We meet the local women involved in the Ladies First Charity Calendar, launched this month. In this article, we speak to Jane Collier.
JANE COLLIER, from Leamington - Miss January - Supporting Prostate Cancer UK.
Tell us about yourself. When did you establish your business and why?
With 23 years of experience behind the camera, I bring a wealth of knowledge, creativity and attention to detail to every project I undertake.
For 10 years, I specialised in capturing weddings and events, telling stories through beautiful, memorable imagery. Today, my focus has evolved towards corporate photography, property photography and styling, helping businesses, estate agents and property professionals showcase themselves and their properties at their very best.
From professional corporate imagery that reflects a brand's identity to bright, beautifully presented property photography and carefully styled interiors, I understand the importance of creating images that make a lasting impression.
My approach combines experience, creativity and an eye for detail, ensuring every image works hard for my clients - whether that means attracting potential buyers, elevating a business's professional image or bringing a space to life through thoughtful styling.
What did you do before that?
Before becoming a photographer, I spent time working as a model, gaining first-hand experience of life in front of the camera. This gave me a unique perspective on photography, from understanding angles, lighting and composition to appreciating how small details can make a significant difference to the final image.
Having experienced photography from both sides of the lens, I developed a strong understanding of what makes an image work. I know how to see a shot, recognise the right composition and capture a subject in the most effective and flattering way.
My experience as a model taught me to look beyond simply taking a photograph. It's about understanding the image, the story it needs to tell and the impression it will leave.
Today, I bring that knowledge and creative vision to my specialisms in corporate photography, property photography and styling, helping my clients present themselves and their spaces at their very best.
Why did you agree to be part of the calendar?
Being part of the Ladies First Charity Calendar was a truly rewarding experience, especially knowing how many incredible charities it supports. Having modelled in the past and now working as a professional photographer, the project brought together two passions of mine.
Working alongside David Perry to photograph the calendar was great fun, creatively inspiring and incredibly fulfilling. It was wonderful to be involved in such a positive project that celebrates women while raising money and awareness for so many worthy causes.
Were you nervous on the day of the shoot?
I have to admit, I was a little nervous going into the Ladies First Charity Calendar shoot. It was a big responsibility, and with only two days to organise and capture everything, there was a lot of pressure to get it right.
There were so many factors to consider, not least the unpredictable English weather! With a large number of the shots planned outdoors, we had to work around the elements and make the most of every opportunity. I wanted to ensure that every image looked fantastic and that we did justice to the incredible women involved and the many charities the calendar supports.
It was also a reminder that sometimes the most rewarding projects are the ones that push you outside your comfort zone.
What have you learned about yourself through this experience?
This experience has taught me that anything is achievable if you believe in yourself. Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith, push beyond your comfort zone and trust in your abilities, even when you feel nervous or overwhelmed. With determination, teamwork and a positive mindset, things that once seemed daunting can become some of your proudest achievements. The Ladies First Charity Calendar reminded me that believing in yourself is the first step towards making something truly special happen.
Is there anything noteworthy about your appearance in the calendar?
Having spent a significant part of my life modelling, being in front of the camera has always come naturally to me. Posing felt like second nature, so even when I found myself in front of the lens with a reflector in front of me, it didn't faze me.
Besides raising money, what is the most important message behind this calendar for you?
Being part of this project was a wonderful opportunity to give something back and be involved in a project that makes a real difference. What made it so special for me was seeing so many amazing women come together, support one another, have fun and share a common goal. There was laughter, friendship, creativity and a real sense of purpose throughout the experience. To be part of a group of women creating something so positive, while raising awareness and supporting so many incredible charities, was truly heartwarming. It reminded me of the power of women working together and what we can achieve when we combine our talents, enthusiasm and passion for a good cause.
Why did you choose your charity to support?
I chose Prostate Cancer UK in memory of my dad, who I sadly lost three years ago to cancer. Watching him struggle with his illness and seeing the strength and courage it took to cope with everything he went through was life-changing for our whole family.
Going through that experience gives you a very different perspective on life and on the impact cancer has, not just on the person diagnosed, but on everyone who loves them. It is something that stays with you long after they are gone.
Being involved in the Ladies First Charity Calendar gave me an opportunity to turn a very personal experience into something positive. Although I know I cannot change what happened to my dad, it feels good to be able to give something back and hopefully help other people and families who are facing similar challenges.
Supporting this cause means a great deal to me. If, in some small way, I can help raise awareness, support research or make life a little easier for someone going through what my dad and our family experienced, then it makes being part of this project even more worthwhile.
What woman most inspires you?
There are so many incredible women in my life who inspire me in different ways, I honestly wouldn't know how to choose just one! I feel lucky to know so many strong, talented and inspiring women, each with their own story, qualities and achievements. For me, inspiration comes in many forms, whether it's courage, kindness, determination, resilience or simply the way someone supports and lifts up those around them. I think that's one of the lovely things about Ladies First - bringing women together, celebrating one another and recognising that we can all inspire each other in our own unique way.
What main piece of advice would you give to your 16-year-old self relating to womanhood, if she were stood in front of you now?
If I could talk to my 16-year-old self, I would tell her this: Don't spend your life searching for other people's approval. Believe in yourself, recognise your worth and understand just how amazing you are. You don't need validation from anyone else to be enough.
It took me a long time to truly find myself, to understand who I was and to believe in my own abilities. Looking back, I wish I had discovered that confidence earlier and learned to embrace the person I was, rather than worrying so much about what other people thought of me.
Life is too short to hold yourself back because of self-doubt or a fear of not being good enough. Trust your instincts, follow your dreams and don't be afraid to take up space. You are capable of so much more than you realise.
Believe in yourself, back yourself and never underestimate what you can achieve. I only wish I had learned that lesson sooner, but perhaps that's part of life's journey -finding the courage to become the person you were always meant to be.
Tell us something unusual or unique about yourself that most people don’t know.
Alongside modelling, I also entered beauty competitions when I was younger, which played a huge part in building my confidence and shaping the person I am today. Over the years, I won around 20 titles, including Miss Leamington, Miss Warwick District, Miss Birmingham, Miss Pepsi Cola, Miss Motorsport, Miss Blackpool, Miss Blackpool Lights, Miss Aston Villa and Miss BRMB Radio. I also reached the final five in the Miss UK competition representing Birmingham and the finals of Miss England. I met some amazing girls and to this day, we are still friends.
Although these experiences helped me become more confident in front of an audience and in front of the camera, I've learned that what people see on the outside doesn't always reflect how we feel on the inside. You can appear confident, poised and self-assured while still struggling with self-doubt privately.
Looking back, I'm proud of what I achieved, but I also recognise that true confidence is about so much more than winning titles or how others perceive you. It's about believing in yourself, understanding your worth and feeling comfortable in your own skin.
Perhaps that's why I feel so passionate about women supporting women. We all have our insecurities, even when we seem to have it all together, and sometimes the most important thing we can do is remind each other of just how capable and amazing we really are.