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

Darrin, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you share an important lesson you learned in a prior job that’s helped you in your career afterwards?

Before becoming a photographer, I was in the bar/hospitality industry for over 30 years. Watching people from behind the bar was fun for me. I could see the laughs, the hugs, the high fives, and the fights on a nightly basis. I became proficient at paying attention to people’s eyes. No matter what you told me, I knew your eyes didn’t lie. Watching eyes and watching body language for over 30 years has helped me in my photography and photography business. Since I photograph people, I can always feel how much or how little they want to be in front of my camera. From there, I use my bartending background and have a conversation with them to get their minds off what’s making them nervous. Many times at my photoshoots, people mentioned how much fun the shoot was and how comfortable they felt. It’s not by magic that this consistently happens; it’s my training and paying attention to people from my bartending days that helped make their experience happen,

Darrin, 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’m Darrin Hackney of Darrin Hackney Photography. I picked up a camera in 2005 while managing a sports bar. I had zero clue how to use a professional camera. Up until then, I’d owned a few points and shoots at that time. To help me understand how a camera worked, I would walk around the downtown area as much as my time would allow to play with the buttons and become familiar with the settings. I tried reading the book “Understanding Exposure,” but I didn’t understand the information, and YouTube wasn’t around yet. So I chose to figure it out on my own. Making money with my camera was not on my radar since the bar business with the only career I knew. But when people started approaching me to capture families and high school seniors, I realized I could make some side hustle money. I left the bar industry in 2011 to pursue a career in photography. It’s been one of the most rewarding and crazy rides I’ve been on. I photograph headshots, high school seniors, fashion/editorials with models, couples, and weddings.

The problem I solve for most people is helping them get past the “I hate getting my picture taken” but need a photo for work/school. It’s up to me to capture their personality and mannerisms for that final product in the fun environment I create for them.

What sets me apart from other photographers around me is my personality. I bring energy and buzz to the session because I’m just as excited for the session as my client is.

I’m always super proud when I hear clients mention, “that is a great photo of me, no one has ever been able to pull it off.”

How did you build your audience on social media?

How I built my social media audience by me just being me. My personality, my goofiness, what I find funny in the world, and of course, pictures of my Beagle (Lucie). How I am online is the same person you would meet in person. I’m not a dog and pony show. People find it refreshing to see someone just being themselves. Even if it’s vulnerable. I’ve spoken many times on my social media about me being sober from alcohol now. It has nothing to do with photography, but it’s 100% me. I believe being real, raw, and authentic is important for social media. It’s too easy to be fake and get called out for being fake. If you want one takeaway on how to grow an audience on social media successfully… Add Value.
What is the Value?
The value is YOU!

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

The most rewarding aspect of being creative is having my time freedom. I love my daily schedule and not someone’s 9-5 vision for how my day should be. If I want to have coffee or lunch with friends, I schedule it. If I want to take a day trip through the Flint Hills to free my mind, I schedule it. I can’t do that from a 9-5 job. I would have to ask for permission, see if I qualify for the time, and ensure the company could operate without me in my absence.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.darrinhackney.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darrinhackney/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/darrinhackneyphotography
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrinhackney/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/darrinhackney
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Darrin_Hackney
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@darrinhackney