We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Hanna Hunt. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Hanna below.
Hanna, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?
There are so many pros and cons of being a business owner and founder who is trying to scale a successful business. What makes it so hard is that there isn’t a clear path paved; founders are creating a path for others who will come after them and therefore have to do 10 jobs (marketing, PR, finance, production,etc.) at once while also figuring out how to make a living at the same time. I love that I have the freedom to create what I believe is missing in my industry, or what I believe the world needs more of. There are days where I feel so grateful to be doing something I love and what gives me purpose in life. But, there are many days where I’m at my part time job trying to make money to buy groceries, pay my bills and get by. Being a small business owner, specifically a creative business owner is so difficult in a world that still doesn’t always see the value or importance of artists. What keeps me going is getting to meet other founders with their own stories, meeting and networking with clients and other creatives, and hearing the positive feedback from shoots or experiences clients have had when working with me. I constantly have to remind myself that what I’m doing is not going to be easy, fast or simple. I take each day as it comes, and make sure I give myself compassion along the way!
Hanna, 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?
I have always loved visual art and the way us as humans can be so deeply impacted by it. I studied theatre and performance in college and have always been a creative person. I feel like “art” has always brought me back to those human values and emotions that make me feel like the world is a better place than it may seem. As I pursued acting, I always did photography and experimented with different forms of art. I actually began taking photos at 6 years of age after my grandfather gave me an old, clunky Canon DSLR. I ended up winning a few first place, blue ribbons at our county State Fair. I realized my junior year of high school that while I was studying acting, I also could pursue photography. I had some friends who like to design clothing, so we would go into town (Georgetown, DC) and take photos of outfits we put together in front of the colorfully painted townhouses. It gave me so much joy to play with angles, lighting and really feel like I was creating something cool. Ever since that moment I knew I wanted to keep taking photos and expand my knowledge. Throughout college, I would do headshots for fellow actors and professors, photoshoots with other fashion-loving friends, and find ways to create new concepts and turn them into cool photos. I also realized I love networking and using photography to meet other people. In 2014, I decided it was time to come up with a business name, and my friend and I came up with “Style Shutter”, because I wanted a unique name that included a nod to fashion but also the art of taking photos. 2024 marked 10 years using that name and pursuing the business and I still feel like I haven’t even reached our peak. I learn new things everyday and I am constantly trying to improve and learn from other artists. We do editorial, couples, creatives, event and branding photography as well as branding and marketing for creatives and brands. Being based in NYC is also amazing because there is never a lack of locations, people or things to learn from! I look forward to where we will be years down the line and all of the growth that we will have!
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
What’s interesting is I always ask other creative business owners how to find more clients. It can be tricky because you might not be selling a physical material product, and finding clients many times comes down to networking and word of mouth. This can be frustrating and difficult. You really have to experiment and be willing to go without work for periods of time. Many creative business owners essentially work 2 or 3 jobs to make ends meet, and the work is 24-7. I’ve missed out on some of my social life because I’m busy trying to grow my business so that one day I can do it full time and make enough money to support myself and hopefully my family one day. One of my favorite moments about getting a client: I went into a Starbucks and saw this employee making coffee behind the counter. She had the most striking eyes. I was so amazed, I felt compelled to mention how beautiful I thought she looked. I got her attention and mentioned to her that I thought she was beautiful, and as a photographer she’d be a great subject! She actually mentioned that she had been looking for a photographer to get updated headshots, and then asked for my info. Three weeks later and I was sending her a gallery of photos from a photo session we did. I still occasionally see her at the Starbucks and we’ve become friends. Many people are nervous to talk with strangers, to give compliments, etc. One thing I’ve learned is that we can’t be afraid to connect with strangers and others, because we can learn so much from our communities, and even gain clients along the way!!
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
I always like to remind people who may not be creative, or people who may not understand how to help creative businesses. The first and most important thing to remember is to recognize our worth. Many of us are doing so much work for very little pay. All creatives know what it’s like to be asked for “free” work and to not feel respected, just because people and companies may not understand everything that goes into our work! Also, if you’re looking into supporting these businesses on a daily basis, make sure you like their posts, interact with their work on socials and give them the exposure or your active support. Getting the word out to people and potential clients is so important, so if your friend or someone you know has a great product, or great art work, share it with others!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.style-shutter.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/styleshutterphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/styleshutterphotography/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hanna-rose-hunt-a03a7410b/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hannarosehunt/videos