Get To Know The Team! Who Are We and What Are Our Backgrounds?!
Neill Menneer - Head Photographer & Co-Founder
Neill before he cycled to London on his electric bike!
Where did you grow up? I was born in Sheffield, before working in London and then finally moving to Bath!
What were you doing before Divine Divas?
Well, I have been a photographer ever since taking photos for the school magazine! This was indeed a long time ago but time has not dimmed my passion and enthusiasm for this magical medium.
I studied photography in Guildford and Art History in Nottingham, before then working as a freelance photographer in London from 1981 to 1987. I was lucky enough to work for some big names, including magazines (Harpers & Queen, She, Colour supplements etc) and corporate clients (London Stock Exchange, Science Museum, TSB, Autoglass, HSBC etc).
I then came to Bath in 1987 with Jo and set up a photographic publishing business, before then founding our Family Portrait Studio, Spirit Photographic. Divine Divas didn’t come along until 2010, after I went on a photography course for a new genre that everyone was talking about… Boudoir!
Neill & Jo & their daughter Phoebe 28 years ago on a sabbatical to France.
What is your favourite thing about what you do at Divas?
I love that photography can be truly transformative. I see the delight and joy it brings to our clients, and it’s a truly incredible thing to witness. Hearing the positive feedback from women who talk about finding themselves again or genuinely feeling beautiful for the first time is quite astounding.
I also love creating art with every woman I meet. I take great pride in every single shot I take!
Describe your perfect day outside of work!
It would start with a leisurely breakfast with Jo, before a country walk or bike ride, maybe even a clifftop ramble overlooking the sea! I could be with just Jo, our entire family, or with my friends - either way, we’d have to stop off for a pub lunch and we’d end the day with everyone over a great meal.
And one fun fact about yourself!
I posed naked for our student magazine!
Jo Menneer - Marketing Director, Design Consultant & Co-Founder
Jo sunbathing in style in Scotland!
Where did you grow up? I was born in a farmhouse in Hampshire but have been in Bath since 1987!
What were you doing before Divine Divas?
Initially I trained as a Norland Nanny, then when I met Neill we moved to Bath and ended up buying a retail business selling stationery and gifts! Running a shop wasn’t what I had ever visualised doing and when the recession hit we started losing lots of money. On top of this fact, I was also a new Mum! So we closed the shop and I started child-minding with my children. In 2000, I discovered life coaching and trained as a coach which, as many as you know, has been hugely influential in how we work with every Diva!
Before Divine Divas itself though, we set up Spirit Photographic, our family portrait side of the business. As I mentioned, initially when Neill and I moved to Bath, we got side tracked with the shop and with myself training as a life coach and NLP Practitioner. So, it wasn’t until 2007 when our children were at senior school that we decided to revisit the idea of Neill having a studio, with me working alongside him doing the sales and marketing.
We were looking for premises and fell in love with the Methodist Church that we are in now. After a total renovation, we opened Spirit Photographic’s doors in April 2008. Then in 2010, after Neill’s introduction to Boudoir, which actually aligned with a few clients asking if we could take something more intimate of them, Divine Divas was born!
What is your favourite thing about what you do at Divas?
My absolute favourite thing is when women take on a new belief. I love seeing a woman who has spent years putting herself down walk out of the studio with a strut and her head held high, knowing her worth.
Describe your perfect day outside of work!
I am an early waker but I love having a cuddle in bed with Neill before getting up for some yoga.
A favourite day is always around walking in the countryside. I grew up on a farm, raising calves and with hundreds of acres to roam. I love walking with friends or family but I am equally happy walking just with Jaspa the dog. Although we live a 10 minute walk away from the the centre of Bath, it takes only 15 minutes to walk to the nearest countryside. Ideally the sky is blue but I don’t care whether it’s hot or cold.
To make it even more perfect, we probably stop for a pint of lager in a lovely pub.
Neill and I are really lucky that we have a very special relationship with our kids, Phoebe and Rupert, and also their partners, who are very lovely. We had a fantastic holiday in Turkey last month with them all!
On holiday in Turkey with my family.
And one fun fact about yourself!
I managed to waterski for the first time on the last day of our holiday after about 10 failed attempts.
I was also an au pair in Sweden when I was 17 and my Swedish was so good by the end that I was sleep talking in Swedish - I can’t remember a word now!
Jesse Loughborough - Photographer & Production Manager
Jesse on holiday, getting his own photo taken for once!
Where did you grow up? I was born in Bath. I then did move around for a bit before moving back when I was 8. Then I moved to the US when I was 20. I lived there for 7.5 years before moving back!
What were you doing before Divine Divas?
Looking for work. Haha. We’d recently moved back to the UK after living in Kansas City and so we were basically restarting our careers. I was put in contact with Neill because he played tennis with my Dad, and he offered me a job helping with his websites. This was way before Divine Divas was even a glint in the Menneers’ eyes.
I have always loved photography but it wasn’t until a few years into working with Neill that he trained me as a photographer.
What is your favourite thing about what you do at Divas?
Meeting and photographing someone new almost every day. And potentially creating something that has a truly positive effect on their lives. I love the process of shooting boudoir. It’s fun, creative and can be energising too.
Describe your perfect day outside of work!
It would involve as many of the following: pizza, beer, board games, sport, my kids, travel, sunshine, photography. How about this? Spending the morning exploring and photographing an historic Italian city, having pizza and beer in the sunshine for lunch, watching the local football team play in the afternoon, and then going back to the villa (obvs) to spend the evening playing board games with my family.
And one fun fact about yourself!
When toast is cut diagonally, I can’t eat it. Just kidding, that’s Nick Fury. In my late-teens/early-twenties I played American Football in Bath for three years and then at college in America for another year.
Jess Blackwell - Design Consultant & Studio Manager
Jess at Glastonbury Festival!
Where did you grow up? I grew up in Bath and the surrounding area. Although I did live in Berlin for a summer too!
What were you doing before Divine Divas?
So before Divas I was working in marketing, as well as working as a freelance writer and proof-reader. I studied Literature at University so writing was, and still is, a huge passion of mine. It’s also why I’m incredibly nosey any time anyone brings a book to the studio! I’ve always adored writing, reading and talking about anything that’s a little bit taboo… it’s probably what led me to Boudoir!
My job just before Divas was actually copywriting for a mystery dining company, alongside helping run a creative start-up (which really chucked me into the deep end when it came to learning about running a business!).
Alongside Divas, I have also set up and ran a community magazine which had over 600 writers (it kept me very busy!) and I have recently just got my certificate in L2 Counselling!
What is your favourite thing about what you do at Divas?
I was just talking to a friend about this today! It’s the fact I get to hear about women’s lives and thoughts in such an intimate way. It’s such a privilege to be trusted like that, and it’s incredible that women feel comfortable enough to share their stories.
Also, it’s the team and the culture we have here. I know it’s a cliché and, at risk of even sounding inauthentic, we genuinely are like a family and we have such a laugh together. Boudoir being what it is, and it being as intimate as it is, means the culture is so open and we are so comfortable talking about everything. It has been such a valuable skill to gain - to learn to be comfortable with every topic.
Describe your perfect day outside of work!
Hmm I would wake up and have a cup of tea and a pastry in the sunshine. I’d then go visit a castle or a historical ruin, something like that, before doing something active like kayaking or swimming or going on a beautiful walk. I’d then do some reading, and get ready for a fancy meal somewhere with a million courses (I’m a bit of a foodie), followed by a dance with all my mates until the early hours. I’d have to bump into a few cats if the day was truly perfect.
Surfing with my twin (no, not identical!) and my Dad.
And one fun fact about yourself!
I have a phobia of fish, can’t stand the scaly things. I’m also currently training to be a psychotherapist, alongside working at Divine Divas!
Shannon Eeles - Make Up Artist
Shannon doing a make-up look of her own!
Where did you grow up? I was born in Salisbury!
What were you doing before Divine Divas?
Before Divine Divas, I was working as a supervisor at the Co-op for over 8 years. I have always loved make-up but during lockdown I got really into creating looks and I realised I needed to do something I love, so I trained as a make-up artist at the start of 2021. I started doing makeup jobs (weddings and photoshoots) as and when I could…then I found Divine Divas!
What is your favourite thing about what you do at Divas?
It’s hard to pick one favourite thing about what I do, but something I think is really important and I absolutely love doing is getting to know the Divas before they come in through the phone calls. I love everything though; doing their hair and makeup, talking about their day and getting them ready for their experience is such an exciting process. It’s so nice for them to have a pamper before and I feel it really helps calm any nerves.
Describe your perfect day outside of work!
It may be boring to some but I really love a chill day, where I’ll have a hot bubble bath, do my nails, put on a face mask, listen to my favourite music.. a bit of self care! I'll go and visit my family and my 'baby' (Luna, my dog) then to finish the day, take me to the cinema! (A cinema night is Matt and mine’s idea of a perfect, chilled evening.)
And one fun fact about yourself!
I love making things! I have a sewing machine at home. I love to up-cycle clothes when I can and my Dad and I are about to start a project making a bench/table for my flat!
Matt and I!
Kate Strachecky - Client Discovery Executive
Where did you grow up? North Somerset, in the town that I've moved back to as an adult!
What were you doing before Divine Divas?
I've done quite a few things, from running a charity to working as an Operations Manager in education. I think it's referred to as a portfolio career, but the truth is it's all just been about working with people!
What is your favourite thing about what you do at Divas?
I love hearing Divas' change their mindset and self view during our calls: it's so special to hear someone go from "I'm not bad" to "I'm amazing"! I do get rather passionate when I talk about boudoir and the difference that it makes to so many people, but only because I've seen it so often!
Describe your perfect day outside of work!
It would have to start with breakfast in bed, my ultimate favourite treat! Then anything that involves me being able to leave the house and do something fun with friends and family. There would have to be good food, yummy snacks and gorgeous wine in there too...
And one fun fact about yourself!
I was fully trained to use the medieval siege engines at Caerphilly Castle! If you need someone to operate a trebuchet, mangonel, ballista or perrier then I'm your girl!
