We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Hanna Runner-Hendrix. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Hanna below.

Hanna, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

I started in the industry as a wedding planner and saw a need for photographers who were there to serve the couples I was working with. I always saw ways they could grow in order to better serve couples. I took those observations and put them to work in my own business and started taking weddings while slowly backing away from planning. Within 2 months of doing my first wedding I was able to go full time! I am currently 3 years in and serving couples in a way that I felt was needed while I was on the other side. As I continue to grow in the industry it is my sole goal to continue to see how I can grow to better serve them on their best day. In my opinion it isn’t just another work day for me. Its someones best day and they picked me to be there with them.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Family, long runs, coffee, Jesus, and gardening entertain my free days. I was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma and later moved to the small town of Perkins where I spent most of my life. The last ten years found me living in Illinois, studying in Europe, and finishing my degree at Oklahoma State University. the country of Guthrie, Oklahoma is my current home, but my traveling heart has me living in hotels and Airbnb’s often. When I was young I said I wanted to see the beauty God put on this earth, and photography allows me to do that. Experiencing the world and all it offers is a true enjoyment of mine.

“These aren’t just photos, these are art.” A compliment that brought tears to my eyes and one I’ll never forget. I delivered a sneak peek of my photos to the bride’s family when I overheard her mother whisper this statement. I hold that sweet woman on a pedestal for giving me a confidence boost I didn’t know I needed. it was from here on that I knew God made me to serve others on their wedding day.

Love, relationships, and community are the greatest pursuits in life. I am honored to document these precious moments.

Believe it or not, more than my passion for displaying your love as art is my passion for witnessing the love my couples have for one another. I desire to understand their love story and tell it through my camera lens during our time together. I am here to do more than take portraits for people to hang on your wall, I’m here to give them photos that invoke remembrance of all the emotions they felt on their day. Your story outlives you and your loved ones! My grandparents’ love story is one I wish I could peek into; my grandpa always says he and my grandma have been married for 112 years, “56 for each one of us!” I wish I could see the beginning of those 112 years. He leaves me a legacy that still influences my life, and I will capture the legacy others are leaving for their family.

Have you ever had to pivot?

There was a time in my life where I gave it all to my company. I gave my whole life and well being to serving others through documenting their love. When I had a baby I realized there was a need for work/life balance. To this day I am still working on that balance. But when the realization hit, I made a pivot in the times I would spend in office and set aside specific shoot days. I now have an associate out of Austin, TX who takes on 25% of my weddings for me to allow me more time at home with my family.

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

I was doing around 50 weddings a year in my first couple of years. I would get booking after booking and I felt like I could. not turn them down because I had bought a home and needed the extra income. the end of 2023 I was starting to book for 2025 and I told myself It was time to up my prices. People would still hire me if they truly wanted me and God would provide. So, I upped my prices to what I thought I was worth, trusted God, and started booking up my 2025 dates within 3 months taking on les than half of the weddings and still making close to the same I was the year before.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Hannarunnerphotography.com
• Instagram: @HannaRunnerPhotography
• Facebook: @HannaRunnerPhotography
• Other: Pinterest: @HannaRunnerPhotography

Image Credits

All image credits: Hanna Runner Photography