We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Aleena Kendrick. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Aleena below.

Alright, Aleena thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I started by taking photos for friends and people who found me on Facebook, charging very little just to gain experience. Over time, my skills improved, and my online following grew. At one point, a more experienced photographer told me, “You should really be charging more.” That was a pivotal moment because, in this business, knowing your worth can be tough. We tend to be our own worst critics, and with social media at our fingertips, it’s easy to compare ourselves to others constantly.

Being a stay-at-home mom, I always wanted to find a career that allowed me to be home with my kids during the day while still contributing financially. Photography gave me that flexibility, but it took time to turn it into a full-time income.

What I’ve learned is that confidence and pricing grow together. You have to figure out your cost of doing business and price accordingly. Raising rates is always nerve-wracking, but the reality is that everything around us is getting more expensive—our work should reflect that, too. Not everyone will understand, and that’s okay. If someone isn’t willing to invest, they’re simply not your ideal client.

One of the hardest parts of growing a photography business is realizing that as you evolve, you may lose clients you once worked with regularly. It’s bittersweet because you build relationships with people, and then one day, they just don’t book with you anymore. But that’s part of the journey—you’re growing, attracting a new clientele, and stepping into the business you were meant to build.

If I could have sped up the process, I would have prioritized valuing my work sooner and not been afraid to charge what I was worth. You also should always be investing back into your business and education. Do workshops, or online classes to keep gaining new skills and knowledge. But ultimately, every step—every underpriced session, every doubt, and every hard lesson—led me to where I am now.

Aleena, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

After high school I was taking classes to have a career in early childhood education. When I found out I was pregnant, I knew I couldn’t handle leaving my baby in daycare to finish my degree. During my pregnancy, we had maternity photos taken by a talented husband-and-wife team, and I was fascinated watching them work. A couple of years later, after a disappointing newborn session for my second child, I felt inspired to try taking my own photos. I started posing her, experimenting, and sharing the images on Facebook. Almost immediately, people began asking me to photograph their children, and before I knew it, my business was born.

Back then, learning photography wasn’t as easy as it is today—there weren’t endless online tutorials or social media guides. It was a lot of trial and error, long hours in Photoshop and Lightroom, and pure determination.

For me, photography is more than just taking pictures—it’s about preserving memories, telling stories, and creating an experience that makes people feel truly seen. Whether it’s a family session, an engagement shoot, or a boudoir experience, my goal is to make every client feel comfortable, confident, and beautiful. I know how it feels to be self-conscious in front of a camera, so I strive to create a relaxed and enjoyable environment where people can just be themselves.

I’m most proud of the connections I’ve built through my photography—both with my clients and within my community. Watching people cherish the images I create, whether it’s a family looking back on their session years later or a woman seeing herself in a new light through boudoir photography, is incredibly rewarding.

Over the past year, my photography has led me to capture some of the most meaningful and heartbreaking moments of my career. One of my longtime clients, who had trusted me to document her family for years, asked me to photograph her final session with her husband and children before she lost her battle with breast cancer. It was a deeply emotional experience, but I was honored to be there, preserving those last moments of love and connection.

I also had the privilege of photographing a sweet little girl with a congenital heart defect. I had captured her mother’s maternity session and every milestone after, until the day we documented her final snuggles in bed with her mom—just days before she passed. These moments are both beautiful and incredibly difficult, but they serve as a constant reminder of just how important photography is. When someone is gone, photos become treasured memories, offering comfort and connection to the past. I know this firsthand, as I often find myself looking at pictures of my own mother who has passed.

What I want my clients to know is this: I’m here. I’m here for the big milestones and the quiet moments, the celebrations and the heartbreaks. I want to be the photographer you turn to for a fun new idea and the one you trust when life hands you something hard. The relationships I’ve built with my clients mean everything to me, and I don’t take it lightly when they choose me year after year. Watching families and children grow in front of my lens is a privilege, and I am so incredibly thankful to be part of their stories.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been building genuine relationships and truly caring about my clients. From the beginning, I’ve prioritized making every session a personal and meaningful experience rather than just a transaction. I take the time to connect with my clients, celebrate their milestones, and be there for both the joyful and difficult moments. Because of that, many of my clients have become like friends, trusting me to capture their lives year after year.

That trust and connection naturally lead to word-of-mouth referrals. When people feel valued and have a great experience, they want to share it with others. Many of my new clients come from recommendations by past clients who have loved their photos and the experience of working with me. At the end of the day, my business has grown because of the relationships I’ve built, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Do you have multiple revenue streams – if so, can you talk to us about those streams and how your developed them?

I do have a supplementary revenue stream through renting out my photography studio to other photographers, which has been a great way to generate additional income. However, I know there are so many other opportunities I could be taking advantage of—like selling presets, offering mentorships, or even hosting workshops. I’ve been so focused on client sessions that I haven’t fully explored these other income streams, but I see the potential and hope to expand in the future. Right now, I’m pretty focused on raising all these kids (6).

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.honey-treephotography.com
• Instagram: https://Www.instagram.com/honeytreephoto

Image Credits

Honey Tree Photography