We were lucky to catch up with Audrey Hoover recently and have shared our conversation below.

Audrey, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later?

There are parts of me that would have loved to have started my business sooner, allowing me to develop my skills and experience the joy of feeling so much passion for my work. But if I reflect on the years leading up to when I started my photography business I don’t think that starting earlier would have served me or my clients in the long run.

The years before I began my business I spent earning my master’s in early childhood education and working with preschool aged children. Without this experience I would not have as clear of an understanding of the best ways to work with young children or how to create a fun experience for them during a photo session.

Additionally, while earning my master’s degree I worked in an office environment as a project manager for an executive search firm. I enjoyed some aspects of my job, but it really was not something I was passionate about or overly interested in. However, as a result of my time there I learned essential skills that help me to best serve my clients in my photography business today – like how to create a positive client experience from start to finish, the importance of communication, and how to connect and build relationships. My project manager role also helped me to realize the type of work that I value and my desire to do something that I feel is meaningful, like creating photos for families during their most important moments in life.

Lastly, if I had decided to start my maternity, newborn and family photography business without having become a mother myself I don’t think that I would have been able to make my clients feel as comfortable or at ease in front of the camera. Although I believe that you can become a great motherhood and family photographer without being a mother, I do think that welcoming my own daughter helped me to have a greater understanding of what new and expectant parents have experienced. I truly believe that there is a kinship and connection that automatically exists between mothers and I feel like it is such an important aspect of how I operate my business and my ability to connect with the families that I partner with!

Audrey, 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?

Audrey Hoover Photography is a lifestyle maternity, newborn, and family photography business specializing in documenting the true and love-filled moments between my clients with the goal of celebrating the beauty of motherhood. My introduction to photography began when I was 11 and my parents gave me my first camera, a Canon Elph, and since then my passion for photography has only grown!

I am a full-service photographer who makes the entire experience simple and effortless from start to finish! I provide a client wardrobe for moms and will even bring dresses to my client’s homes ahead of their session so that they can try them on beforehand. I’ll also provide personalized wardrobe suggestions for the whole family, make arrangements for hair + makeup before a session. It’s my goal to provide all of my clients with detailed styling tips, personalized location guidance, and everything they need to feel prepared when they step in front of the camera!

Additionally, once a client receives their gallery I provide them with the option to purchase digital images as well as a variety of fine art prints, albums, and frames so that their photos can be preserved and enjoyed for years to come!

Audrey Hoover Photography strives to make the whole photography experience as relaxed and effortless as possible so that my clients can focus on what truly matters – each other!

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

Keeping in touch with my clients is an essential part of my business! Two and a half years ago we moved from Chicago to Central Florida, yet despite the distance I’ve returned to Chicago 7 times to continue serving my clients there with weekends that are always jam-packed with loyal clients! I feel incredibly honored that Chicago families have continued to work with me even though I moved away, and even though at times they use other photographers when I’m not available for newborn photos, etc.

I do my best to create personal relationships with all of my clients, whether in Chicago or in Central Florida, and I think that this is a key way to foster loyalty. Some of the ways that I do this are by taking note of children’s birthdays, always remembering the names of family members, and remembering interests, careers, etc. As a result, my clients feel at ease with me during their session and as if they are hanging out with a friend instead of a stranger they might only see once a year. I keep up with my clients on social media as well, commenting on posts or sending messages.

Lastly, it’s important for me to make sure that my clients know that I care about them and their families. One way that I demonstrate this is by always personalizing my emails/outreach and being thoughtful with my client communication. For example, I’ll send an email to a client who is due with their baby in the next two weeks to let them know I’m thinking of them. Or, if I’m sending out marketing emails for fall photos I’ll ask how the client’s two year old’s birthday was or how their eight year old is liking school this year. I think that creating genuine connections with my clients is one of the easiest and one of the biggest ways that I’ve been able to ensure that my clients want to continue working with me year after year!

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

As a mother, I realize how hectic and messy daily life with young children can be. Additionally, I know that as a mom I am rarely in the photos we take at home. So as a photographer, my mission is to make sure that my clients see how beautiful their hectic, messy lives truly are and to also ensure that mother’s are in photos with their children! Documenting the beauty and joy of motherhood is always a focus and goal for me at my sessions and as a mom of three it is definitely a personal passion of mine as well!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://audreyhooverphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/audreyhooverphotography/