Strategy, Not Luck: How a Lancashire Sole Trader Secured the Top Spot for a Royal Visit

By Liz Henson Photography

The "work before the work" and the Royal seal of approval.

When HRH The Princess Royal visited the University of Lancashire this week to tour the new School of Veterinary Medicine, the margin for error was zero. In high-stakes environments like a Royal visit, there are no second chances to get the shot.

But for me, the success of this project didn’t start with a shutter click on Tuesday morning. It started with a strategic decision to play in the big leagues.

Winning the 1st Place Spot As a sole trader, the world of institutional tenders can often feel like a "big agency" game. However, I’ve always believed that being a specialist is a massive advantage. Y ou don’t need a huge corporate team to deliver high-stakes results; you just need deep expertise and the right strategy.

With the invaluable support of fellow GB Shared member, Tender Response, I navigated the complex tender process for the University of Lancashire’s supplier framework. I’m still quietly pinching myself, but I was actually awarded first place on that framework.

I am incredibly pleased with this result. It’s a proof of concept for our local business community as it proves that Lancashire’s independent experts can hold their own against the biggest agencies in the country. When we collaborate and leverage platforms like GB Shared, we can secure the most prestigious contracts in the county.

Integrity in Action Being a "vetted" supplier meant that when the University needed a Visual Strategist to document the Royal visit, I was ready.

If you saw my recent article about why stock photos are failing local businesses, you know I’m passionate about authenticity. For this visit, that meant three separate site walkthroughs and a collaborative "capture plan" with the University press and video teams.

We didn't just show up; we choreographed the day at a respectful distance to ensure:

Total adherence to Palace protocol of which there were many things to consider!
Zero disruption to the students in all their lessons throughout the veterinary school.
Images edited and approved by the Palace within hours of the visit.

Closing the Trust Gap This project was a masterclass in the "work before the work." My 20 years of pattern-spotting have taught me that excellence isn't a fluke, it’s a strategy.

I’m thrilled to see my approved images already being used across regional news outlets to showcase Lancashire’s excellence. It’s a privilege to be part of the University’s "Digital Handshake" with the world.

If 2026 is the year you want your business to be seen with more integrity and less "whispering," let’s talk about how we can close your brand’s Trust Gap.