“20 Photos was born from my passion for storytelling and preserving our individual stories to share with those most important to us. I love bringing each unique narrative to life.”

20 Photos is one of the coolest businesses I have come across in a while, and one that I am so excited to partner with on We are The Helpful.  You know the HUNDREDS of photos you have on your phone that no one, apart from you, sees?  Well, Jo takes those photos and with her expert eye (and I mean 'expert' literally - Jo is an award winning portrait photographer), creates a beautifully balanced yet emotive story that is presented either in a keepsake box or as a large fine art print.  This is SUCH a stunning gift for a first birthday (because let’s be honest, a first birthday is about celebrating the parents and the wonderful job they have done with so little sleep), to capture key memories for someone who has recently lost a loved one or even for a friend who needs reminding of how fabulous and loved she is.

I had a chat with Jo to understand more about her business - I hope you enjoy!

Kate x

Your name and role with 20 Photos? 

Jo Tennant, Founder of 20 Photos and award-winning portrait photographer.

Tell us about 20 Photos and why you started it?

During lockdown, I realised we capture countless stories on smartphones but lack time, headspace, or skills to enhance and print them. This insight led me to create 20 Photos, transforming massive digital photo collections into curated, beautiful prints.

I started by curating and printing my own family photos, and then it spiralled from there - a friend asked me to tackle her decade-old wedding photos. Soon, an orderly queue formed - photos from trips, bereavements, family life, children growing up, pets... everything. And it's grown from there.

The photo print industry frustrates me- more isn't more, especially in this time of overstimulation and mass consumption. Research suggests the human brain can only process 20 images without feeling overwhelmed. It's also the perfect number to tell a detailed story. This is why I settled on 20.

20 Photos was born from my passion for storytelling and preserving our individual stories to share with those most important to us. I love bringing each unique narrative to life. Often, it's not about finding the 'best' photo, but the most meaningful ones, and realising their potential.

I’ve purposely kept the number of choices minimal - you can have your 20 Photos as prints in a beautiful keepsake box or as large fine art prints for the wall with all 20 images.

I edit your photos, but this doesn't mean photoshopping. It's about reframing, adjusting colour tones and shadows to highlight subjects. Sometimes the edit required is dramatic, sometimes subtle, but ultimately it creates a cohesive set that tells a beautiful story and brings out each photo best - and I believe there's beauty in every story. I love bringing that to life and each story is different. The final difference for 20 Photos compared to your usual prints is that all of our prints are made on fine art paper - it feels super-matte, luxurious and holds colour and detail brilliantly. Another unique feature is that it’s museum quality and doesn’t fade - so the images can be passed down the generations and enjoyed a decade and 100 years as if it were today. I used it for my fine art prints, and I believe clients deserve their memories printed just as beautifully.

What has been the most impactful and helpful gift you've received from a loved one and why?

The unexpected but thoughtful gifts at different life moments when I’d hit one of life’s road bumps. Just feeling seen.

• When I was at university, I remember my mum sent me a delivery of supermarket shopping which included treats I loved that I would never have bought myself.
• A house guest once paid a parking ticket for me. I was speechlessly grateful.
• When my daughter was born, the gift of a list of excellent podcasts and a thermos filled with Rooibos tea to see me through night time feeds. It made me feel loved in the long, dark hours!
• Recently, when my partner was away and I'd received bad news, I cancelled on a friend. Instead, they surprised me at home with wine and fantastic snacks. They did my dishes, helped with the kids' bedtime, then we caught up. Their thoughtfulness meant everything.

Choose the words that best reflect your inner circle.

• Irreverent
• Adventurous
• Compassionate
• Honest