We were lucky to catch up with Amy Haehl recently and have shared our conversation below.
Amy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think it takes to be successful?
To be a successful newborn photographer, you need to be deeply driven and passionate about both photography and the type of images you create. Aspiring photographers and parents often ask me how I have the patience it takes to photograph newborns and I always tell them you have to absolutely LOVE it or it just won’t work. If you don’t love it and it’s not your passion, babies can sense it and you will constantly find yourself struggling to photograph them. I know it sounds crazy but it’s true. It’s also not just about taking pictures; it’s about crafting moments that will be cherished for a lifetime. The artistry of newborn photography requires you to have an emotional connection to the work you do because the images you capture hold immense value for your clients. When you truly love the process of creating beautiful, timeless images, it shines through in your work and helps you stand out in a very competitive field. Your passion drives you to continually improve, experiment with new techniques, and push the boundaries of what you can achieve.
However, passion alone isn’t enough to guarantee success. Becoming a profitable and respected newborn photographer takes countless hours of dedication and years of sacrifice. In the beginning, you might face long nights editing, evenings and weekends spent shooting, and many moments where you question if it’s all worth it. The journey to success isn’t instantaneous—it’s built over time as you develop your skills, perfect your craft, and gradually grow your business. It takes hard work to reach a level where you’re profitable, but that effort pays off as your reputation builds and your expertise grows. Sacrifices along the way are inevitable, but they are essential to achieving your goals.
In addition to technical skills and dedication, being a successful photographer means you’re never truly off-the-clock. Photography isn’t just about the session itself; it’s a 24/7 commitment. From booking clients, planning each shoot, ensuring the safety and comfort of the newborns, to editing images and marketing your business, there’s always something to do. You must stay on top of the latest trends, learn new techniques, and keep up with the rapidly advancing technology to maintain your edge in the industry. It can be very overwhelming at times, but constant growth is essential.
Even with all the passion and hard work, there will inevitably be times when you lose motivation or feel disconnected from your craft. It’s normal to go through phases where the excitement you once had fades, and staying inspired can be a huge challenge. Life happens, and changes in your personal circumstances can leave you questioning everything. During these times, it’s essential to push through and find ways to reignite that spark. Whether it’s exploring something new, collaborating with others, taking a step back to recharge, or reminding yourself why you started in the first place, it’s vital to keep moving forward. I’ve also found that surrounding yourself with people who inspire you can help reignite your creativity and offer fresh perspectives. Reigniting your love for your job, while leaning on those who motivate and encourage you, is so important to maintaining long-term success and staying committed to your journey as a photographer.
Finally, one of the most important aspects of having a successful business is providing an exceptional experience for your clients. Creating a beautiful image is important, but it’s equally important that your clients feel comfortable, cared for, and valued throughout the process. Going above and beyond to ensure their experience is stress-free and memorable leaves a lasting impression. Happy clients not only become repeat customers but also become your most powerful promoters, sharing their positive experiences with others and helping your business thrive.
Amy, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I didn’t just wake up one day and decide I wanted to be a photographer. I think it was a gradual process of all of the pieces coming together and realizing what I felt called to do. I think it first began when my Mom taught me how to paint, which requires you to think about light and shadows and how they appear in a painting. I often found myself looking around at the world and noticing the light and the way it falls and changes. I was also a 10-year 4-H member and photography was my favorite project. In high school, I started dabbling in photo editing and photo editing software. However, when it came to college I never really thought about being a photographer or that it could be a “real” job, so I went to nursing school. I became a nurse and worked as an ER nurse for 11 years while simultaneously building my photography business. My first “photoshoot” started when I had my first digital camera and asked my friend if I could borrow her baby and take photos of her. They liked them enough that they asked me to do them again! Then it really just grew from there. I did free photoshoots for a while to build my portfolio and gradually worked my way up…literally. My first “studio” was in my basement. I’m forever grateful for my “basement” clients and friends and family who grew along with me. I wouldn’t be where I am today without so many people trusting me with their little ones and families.
I absolutely love what I do, and I’m dedicated to ensuring my clients not only have beautiful photographs to cherish for a lifetime but also a memorable, stress-free experience. My primary goal is to leave every client with an exceptional experience—one they can look back on with joy, rather than stress. I treat my clients like friends and family, genuinely enjoying the opportunity to get to know them.
Beyond capturing the perfect photos, I love helping my clients bring their vision to life and guiding them on how to print and display their images in their home. I offer high-quality, archival heirloom products that are built to stand the test of time, ensuring that future generations can enjoy these memories. While I do provide digital copies of the images, I focus on print products because, unlike digital files that may be lost or disappear over time, prints are lasting treasures. Offering both print and digital versions gives my clients the best of both worlds
I’m incredibly grateful for the success I’ve achieved as a photographer and for the fact that the images I create are loved by so many. I’ve been fortunate enough to have my work featured on platforms like Good Morning America, TODAY, Fox & Friends, The Huffington Post, The Sun, Daily Mail, Inside Edition, and various worldwide news networks. It still feels surreal to think that my work has been seen around the globe. When people mention it, I’m often at a loss for words—because, despite the recognition, I’ll always be that girl with a dream who grew up on a farm in a small rural community. I hope my journey can inspire others to pursue their dreams, no matter how unattainable they may seem.
Despite all of my accomplishments, the thing I’m most proud of are the three incredible people who call me Mom. They are my greatest source of inspiration and motivation, reminding me every day of the purpose behind everything I do. Through my work, I’m not only teaching them the value of hard work and dedication, but also showing them that it’s possible—even as women—to be strong, capable, and build a successful business. My hope is that by setting this example, I inspire them to pursue their dreams with confidence, resilience, and an unwavering belief in themselves.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Throughout my career, I’ve often had to adapt, especially in response to the ever-evolving nature of this field. One of the biggest changes came during Covid. Like many, I had to pause my business, but this time off gave me the space to focus solely on being a mom. For the first time, I felt truly present with my kids, which made me realize how much stress my business was adding to my life. Balancing a small business and motherhood had become unsustainable.
I reevaluated the time I was spending on my business versus the income it generated and realized I needed a change. I’d always wanted to offer a more personalized, high-end experience for my clients but hadn’t had the time. So, I decided to focus on fewer clients, offering a more tailored service with a full line of heirloom prints and products, alongside digital images. This shift allows me to spend more time with each client, help them envision their photos on their walls, and alleviate the stress that often accompanies photo sessions.
Making this change has been incredibly rewarding. I’m now able to take on fewer clients, earn more income, and, most importantly, spend more time with my kids.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the ability to be my own boss and use my creative mind to produce images that my clients will cherish for a lifetime. I love that I can combine my passion for photography with the freedom of making my own decisions. Each project allows me to tell a unique story and it’s incredibly fulfilling knowing that my work captures meaningful moments that people will treasure forever. There’s something special about seeing a client’s reaction when they see their images come to life, knowing that my creativity played a part in preserving their memories. It’s that sense of impact and personal connection that makes being a creative truly rewarding.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.coffeecreekstudio.com
- Instagram: @coffeecreekstudio
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CoffeeCreekStudio
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-haehl-7205b663
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/coffee-creek-studio-shelbyville?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
- Other: TikTok : @coffeecreekstudio
