Most founders and professionals know the pain of invisibility. You’re the face of your business, yet you dodge the camera. You pitch investors but hesitate to update your LinkedIn photo. Why? Because for many, stepping in front of a lens feels more exposing than stepping on a stage.
For Eddie Lim and Joyce Yeo, the camera isn’t just a tool—it’s a bridge. A way to help people move from self-doubt to self-acceptance, one frame at a time. They made it their mission to transform not just how people look in photos—but how they feel about themselves.
This story isn’t just about photography. It’s about personal healing, brand authenticity, and the power of being seen.
The Heart Behind Terra Headshots
Q: What led to Terra Headshots — and when did it become clear it was more than just photography, but a space for personal transformation?
A: In early 2021, during the circuit-breaker period of the pandemic, Joyce, a hair and makeup artist, took a course on portrait photography to increase her skills set. As Eddie had done a lot of video production and knew how to operate a camera, she also got Eddie to teach her.
Getting friends to her studio to practice her photography eventually evolved to Eddie doing the photography while she focused on the hair and makeup to help them look good before the shoot.
After receiving much positive feedback, we decided to offer this service as a business. We managed to get corporate clients on board within the first year, and decided to register the business under Terra Headshots.
We realised that photography can be deeply transformative when we launched our ‘Celebrate You’ campaign last year. This was a movement to inspire more self-love and appreciation. We offered 10 women a celebrity-like experience, that includes a bespoke makeover, wardrobe styling and a photo session. At the same time, we interviewed them on their personal stories and struggles to inspire more women to prioritise self-love.
Women from all walks of life took part. 10 women were shortlisted based on their online submission of personal stories, their reason for wanting to take part in this campaign and their consent to share their story.
For example, there was a mother of three who was camera-shy but wanted to take up the challenge to do something for herself. She has always focused on her family and she felt this would be a good experience to focus on herself. Through the discovery call, Eddie and Joyse realised dance is her outlet for creativity and self-expression. We got her to dance during the photoshoot wearing her favourite dance costume and she enjoyed the shoot so much she forgot all about her fears in front of the camera.
Another participant is a personal coach, who has always been seen by people around her as a confident, happy-go-lucky and jovial person. She has never experienced a studio shoot before and wanted to find out how it feels to be a model for a day.
However, the shoot ended up giving her more than that. Through the experience, she saw herself from a new perspective—strong, thriving, and full of life. That moment inspired her to share her story publicly for the very first time. Not many knew she had a difficult childhood. She also struggled with depression in adulthood. The shoot gave her the courage to open up. She wanted to remind others that “life is made up of both tears and laughter, pains and gains. Every part of this journey shapes us into the incredible person we are.”
Bringing the essence of the ‘Celebrate You’ experience to clients starts with connection. We always begin with a discovery call to understand them better. From there, we craft a personalised photo session that is unique to each person. We create a safe space where they feel seen and heard. Through our lens, we help them see their own strength and beauty.
Q: You work closely with Joyce Yeo, a multi-award-winning makeup artist and beauty educator. How does her work elevate or deepen the transformation clients experience at Terra Headshots?
A: As a seasoned artist and beauty educator, Joyce not only provides the makeover service, but also guides our clients on selecting the right skincare and makeup colours. This is part of the self-love practice that we advocate to our clients.
For example, we had a client who’s a mother of 3 boys, and during her pampering makeover process with Joyce, she realised she has neglected looking after herself. She was then inspired to incorporate self-love to her daily routine, such as applying skincare.
Joyce also helps to take care of their physical insecurities such as concealing blemishes, contouring their face for slimmer look on camera. When they see that they are able to look so good after their makeover, it uplifts their confidence and helps them see another side of them even before the shoot starts.
So from the physical transformation, it helps to change their mentality to thinking more positively about how they look, and emotionally feeling more confident in front of the camera.
Another client, Joseph, texted us saying how much he loved his headshot profile photo and is always reminded of how he felt during his session with us. He texted us this just before he went up on a stage to speak. This being one of many compliments we’ve received, gives us the motivation and constant reminder to evolve and deepen the client transformation experience even further.
Q: You’ve worked with everyone from CEOs to creatives — what’s the common thread in how people respond to being photographed?
A: That’s an interesting question. In fact, one professional speaker recently told us that “I can speak on stage, address big crowds with no issue. But put me in front of the camera, and I will freeze.”
And that’s very common. Most of our clients shared that they:
– do not like to be photographed
– they feel awkward and do not know how to pose in front of the camera
– they are not photogenic
As most of us are self-critical, we tend to focus on our flaws and imperfections than our gifts and strengths.
However, at the start of every client’s journey, we will have a video discovery call to get to know them better. This allows us to craft and design a photo session that is unique to each individual, while creating a safe space for them to express themselves.
A common reaction from our clients when they see their photos are “Wow! I love this! It is me! But better!”
Q: How do you help clients move past insecurity and show up authentically on camera?
A: Everyone has insecurities, and that’s normal. We always make it a point to understand their insecurities first.
When it comes to flattering the body shape, we go through this process call the pre-shoot wardrobe consultation. We get our client to send pictures of themselves in their shortlisted outfits, so we can help them choose the outfits they look best in.
Fun fact: Eddie even went on a shopping trip with a client to help him find clothes suitable for him!
For clients who are unsure of what colours they should go for, we also offer personal colour analysis sessions to help them find out what colours help them look their best. Usually colour analysis sessions would be organised 2-3 weeks before their shoot so they have ample time to prepare their outfits.
And of course, on day of shoot, Joyce will address any concerns they have in terms of their complexion, features and hair through their makeover. For example, helping them conceal blemishes or contouring their face for slimmer look.
During the photo session itself, Eddie checks in with them if they have any parts of themselves they feel more conscious about. From there, he will guide them into certain poses that draws attention away from their physical insecurities. For example, placing their hands in a certain way that conceals the tummy area.
However, the more important part of building their confidence is in changing their mindset about themselves. One thing Eddie loves to do, is to get our clients to visualise moments they love, such as going on a romantic date with someone they love. That’s when they switch from feeling insecure to feeling good – and those are the special moments where they shine and look amazing.
Eddie will also show them some of the photos taken after a pose and this usually boosts their confidence and get them to trust him even more to fully express themselves.
Q: We live in an era where AI can generate flawless portraits and avatars. Why does Terra Headshots double down on human connection and personal storytelling?
A: Because we value authenticity. In fact, that’s why we are named Terra – latin for ‘mother earth’. It’s a reminder to stay grounded and genuine, at all times.
To us, we see portraits not just as a photo, but something that expresses the depth of a person, something which is a result of a human experience.
For example, we have a client in her 50s, Susanna, who has always disliked taking photos. However, she came to us, wanting to experience a photoshoot celebrating her strength, resilience and compassion. At the same time, being a stroke survivor, she wanted to challenge herself to be independent despite her physical impediments.
Through careful planning, we were able to work with her where she felt safe, seen and heard.
Together, we produced artwork pieces of her, which we are all so proud of, because it captured everything she envisioned, and more.
Q: What’s next for Terra — do you see it growing beyond photography into something bigger?
A: Beyond just providing photography services, Terra will also be focusing on advocating Self-Love.
This actually came about last year, when one client booked us to do headshots for her team of 12, and most are working mums. When they came for their individual sessions, we see women who have sacrificed most of their time and energy juggling between work and family. Many of them looked tired and shared that they are self-conscious of the weight they have gained, since giving birth.
Talking to them also made us realise that they only have photos of their children in their phones, and almost none of themselves because they don’t feel photogenic enough to be in photos.
It was then, we realised we wanted to remind people that self-love is important. So, photography is really our way to advocate self-love. We want to remind people of their intrinsic worth. Through our discovery call, we discover more about our clients and the journey they have been on. During the photography session, we prompt them to think about their memorable moments. These recollections are immortalised on camera to remind them that they are enough, and they should celebrate how far they’ve come in their journey.
It’s Not Just a Photo – It’s a Personal Revolution
When picture-perfect avatars and digital polish dominate, what Eddie Lim and Joyce Yeo offer through Terra Headshots is something profoundly real—human connection. Their mission isn’t about vanity; it’s about vulnerability. It’s about helping leaders, founders, and everyday individuals reclaim their image and rediscover their confidence. For New In Asia’s audience navigating personal branding, public presence, and fierce competition, their work is a powerful reminder: you are your brand, and your brand deserves to be seen—authentically and unapologetically.
Read the article in Chinese here.
