We were lucky to catch up with Geena Hughes recently and have shared our conversation below.
Geena, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How do you feel about asking friends and family to support your business? What’s appropriate, what’s not? Where do you draw the line?
Asking friends and family is hard when you’re just starting out. I personally get more nervous asking for help from my family and friends than total strangers! Once I was able to get over my worry and anxieties, my sister actually became my first client! I took her senior portraits for her. It was a lot of fun to work with her and it helped me get comfortable to ask the clients to pose or move the way I need.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I first picked up photography when I was in elementary school with a simple point and shoot camera. I didn’t graduate to a DLSR camera until after college when I picked one up on a Black Friday sale.
I love to do all kinds of photography and will try anything new. My absolute favorite is concert photography and portraiture.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
I think non-creatives don’t always understand that creatives’ jobs are important as well. If we look at what gets cut first in education, it’s usually the arts. When you’re growing up and seeing that your passions and career paths aren’t important to other people, it hurts. It makes you second guess what you’re wanting and what you can do.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
Instagram is where I have been reached out to, and where I reach from. Instagram is the easiest way to connect for a photography business, it keeps your portfolio all in one place! You can also use the multiple pictures per post photo to show before/after for new editing styles. Using hashtags helps spread it further to more of an audience.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @geenahughesphoto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/geenahughesphoto
- Twitter: @geenaphoto