We recently connected with Ariana Hess and have shared our conversation below.

Ariana, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

If I am being honest I have always been a creative/artist DIY kinda girl but never thought professionally. I was constantly taught in school, go to college and get the career. But growing up I constantly was surrounded by all the adults in my family that are in the construction industry of some nature and owned their own small businesses.

So in Highschool I not only took alot of math/science I also took journalism, yearbook/newspaper but for fun never for a career choice, to be honest I didn’t think it could be a career. I started college on the path for a career as a PA, took 20+ credits, worked full time etc. I basically was drowning in school to get an A, sleep deprived etc. Then I suffered a family loss that really affected me. That put me in over drive and made me take a break from school to reset my thoughts, goals, career choices etc.

On this semester off, I started to enjoy life moments more while I was searching for what I am going to do forever; college or no college. At the time boyfriend Mitchell we bought a Fixer Upper and moved in together, lead to us getting engaged. Soaking up so much of those projects, ideas and wedding planning. Alot of these things made me get back to being creative. I remember a few weeks before our wedding I told my husband I wanted to take a few non accredited photo classes at a local college. And he of course was like, you totally should. So I did, and then I photographed everything and anything. I did so much free work to build a portfolio and then the rest lead me to here. But alot of time, research, learning, workshops etc. lead me to have Hess Image & Co. and even The Squeakeasy was a stem from that. And without the support of my husband or family, I wouldn’t have made the leap.

And now I am a mom, so teaching my kids follow your dreams and not doing them myself would make my a hypocrite.

Ariana, 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?

Highschool to college I did what any Highschool kid was told, medical field and college. But my family roots, no one ever went to college and own a small business is what everyone in my family did.

After taking a long spiral path (previous question gave back story), it lead me to my creative profession. I love projects, seeing things from the before stage to the after etc. So from the time I was a child gluing macoroni noodles to make art, to borrowing my dad’s camera from his work truck to buying my first house with endless projects- being creative is just apart of me.

I created Hess Image & Co. and knew that I never wanted it to be just photography. I wanted it to be a creative company. As of now I do photography! I offer an array of session options from family to maternity to headshots etc. As well as I love weddings. All things weddings are my favorite being able to see the whole day come together! Eventually I would love to expand Hess Image & Co, offering video and some other things. But before that The Squeakeasy appeared as a fun DIY for me and my husband and that happened along the way! The Squeakeasy is a vintage camper redone as a bar! Very eclectic vibes!

In the mix of Hess Image & Co and The Squeakeasy, I became a mom to my three little people. So I am a mother first and foremost so maneuvering motherhood and entrepreneur life is a crazy juggling balance act! That right now is the biggest obstacle for me.

But ultimately I think what sets me apart is I truly listen to what my clients want, and give it every ounce of me to fulfill that while making it the least bit stressful for them!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I think ultimately you have the autonomy to do anything you want with your creativity, there is no rules and that is the best part!

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

I think the main thing is, DO NOT BE AFRAID! Do not be a fraid to try. Reach out to that influencer if you want to try and take photos of them, reach out to the other creatives you aspire to be. Do not be afraid to try, because no trying doesn’t get you anywhere.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.hessimageandco.com
• Instagram: @hessimageandco @thesqueakeasybar
• Facebook: Hess Image & Co, The Squeakeasy Bar

Image Credits
@sageandfernphoto is the portrait of me credit to her.. But all the rest is my portofolio work of that couple, or the bar’s