Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Angela Hoppe. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Angela, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

My mission to empower women to capture their authentically be|you|tiful journeys through community and media is not just a professional one, it’s personal. The story behind my mission is a lifelong one, starting well before school age but really getting started in late middle school. I was a veteran Girl Scout with a horse complex by then and spent nearly every weekend at camp teaching younger Scouts how to care for horses, ride, and develop their horsemanship skills. One might say I was the one empowering those girls but what I remember most was feeling empowered in a safe place to lead my peers.

I continued to lead my peers for nearly two decades after that. I led groups of girl and adult volunteers for years (as a teenager myself), spent countless summers on resident camp staff, and (after I stepped away from education after only a year) spent several years as a full-time director for that very same camp and programming that shaped the leader I’ve become. Along the way I’ve met people who, undoubtedly, impacted who I am, how I behave, what I believe, and how I prioritize. My closest friends still are those I met at camp or through Girl Scouts all those years ago — near or far, we’re still closer than some friends who live down the road.

Camp, it’s a place that can bring out a certain rawness. You’re with the same group of 40 counselors for 9 weeks straight under extreme conditions (heat, bug bites, crying children, dangerous activities)… it gets raw, okay? But you always have each other. The women around you have your back, no matter how you show up, no matter how much or little you have to give, no matter how much you need to take.

My mission of empowering women is a process with her acknowledging where she is now, being supported by a forgiving community while she grows in her own time, and documenting the journey throughout. Empowered women, empower women and having the courage to show up as you are gives others the permission to do the same.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

The story of how I got into the photography industry is sort of a boring one so I’ll keep it short. I got into photography out of pure necessity. At the time, I was a project analyst for an insurance agency (which I hated) as well as a certified professional dog trainer for Sit Happens Dog Training, which I did before and after my 9-5. Right before my three year work anniversary at the insurance agency, there was a big department re-organization and my entire position was dissolved. A blessing if you ask me but to my husband, a bit of a snaffoo that needed some attention.

When I was a senior in high school we had to do a big research project on a profession. I had always wanted to be a teacher but I knew I wanted to be efficient with the project; observing a classroom every day was not going to cut it. I had just gotten my senior portraits done and the lady seemed cool, so I asked her to be my project mentor. She said yes and there I was — observing things about becoming a photographer. I have always been on the creative side so I did have fun with it but, just like 100% of my school projects, it got left behind in a drawer and never thought about again (until Mom eagerly returned them to me in 2020 along with all of my yearbooks). I had exactly zero plans to ever become a photographer — I was going to be a teacher.

In college, not long after Amazon really started ramping up, I purchased a little DSLR camera. It was the same one that I let sit in the back of the closet for 8 years because I “didn’t know how to make it take pretty pictures.” A month before my official lay off date at the insurance place, a local photographer was offering a workshop so my husband, Evan, and I decided the juice was worth the squeeze and I signed up so I could have a “little hobby to make extra money.”

Anyone who knows me knows this is “so Angela.” I find something I love, something that brings me joy, and I go all in! I learned (and continue to learn) anything I could about photography and explored different niches within the industry. It was a no brainer for me that I wanted to serve women but what I really wanted to do was empower women. What I found was the women I enjoyed capturing are most joyfully empowered when they’re developing and growing — emotionally, spiritually, in relationships, and in business. This is why I specialize in Women’s Lifestyle Photography; capturing her wedding, her business, and her body.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

The best pieces of advice I have about growing your online audience is to remain authentic and always keep your mission in mind. Your online presence is the digital story you tell about yourself, your business, goals, and priorities. Every post you make is either moving that story along and supporting your mission/goals or it’s creating noise, distraction, or chaos.

Your audience wants to know you. The real you. The relatable you. It’s why I’ve created the online “BE YOU Community I have — my goal is to create a place for women to show up as they are because in doing that, they are giving others permission to as well.

Give your audience a place to show up. Give them something or someone to relate to. When in doubt, always post something about yourself and when you do, be sure to use a photo from your favorite branding photographer ;)

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Hoppe Images is known to deliver cozy, transparent, fun. When polled, past clients first commented on how comfortable they felt during their session and they really loved how they felt at ease.

When I received this feedback I couldn’t help but smile. I’ve worked hard to be this type of leader. One who is collaborative, aware, communicative, confident, positive, and encouraging. My goal when leading client experience is to create an environment that is low-stress and adapted to each client’s needs — I do this by offering cozy, transparent, fun!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.hoppeimages.com
• Instagram: @hoppe.images
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/hoppeimages
• Other: Angela Hoppe Facebook Page www.facebook.com/angelahoppehi Women’s BE YOU Community Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/beyouhi

Image Credits
Hoppe Images Soel Studio