We recently connected with HANNAH BROST and have shared our conversation below.

HANNAH, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I’ve been growing in photography for about six years now, but my connection to it really started earlier. As a teen, I was always taking photos on my phone, which helped me start noticing light and moments—but it wasn’t until I found film that everything really clicked for me.

I fell in love with the rawness of it—the grain, the imperfections, and how intentional you have to be with every frame. From there, I moved into digital with a DSLR and started teaching myself the technical side through trial and error, YouTube, and eventually mentorships and workshops.

Learning the craft has definitely been a process. Transitioning from DSLR to mirrorless, and then back into film, really pushed me to understand my camera on a deeper level. The fundamentals are the same, but film especially teaches you to slow down, trust yourself, and truly understand lighting in a more intentional way.

If I could go back, I would’ve invested in mentorships earlier. Having that guidance makes such a difference compared to trying to figure everything out alone.

For me, the most important skills have been understanding light and learning to be intentional—blending the crispness of digital with the emotion and rawness of film, while always centering real human connection. That balance is what truly shapes the way I approach photography.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m the owner and photographer behind Novelette Photography, where I focus on storytelling-driven portrait and wedding photography. I’ve been growing in this space for about six years now, but my connection to photography started much earlier. I was always drawn to capturing moments—first on my phone as a teen, and eventually through film, which is where I truly fell in love with the art of it.

That love for film shaped how I see photography today. I was drawn to the rawness, the grain, and the emotion behind each frame. From there, I taught myself digital photography, starting with a DSLR and learning through trial and error, online education, and mentorships. Over time, I’ve continued to evolve—now blending digital and film, including medium format, into my work to create images that feel both timeless and intentional.

What I offer goes beyond just photos. I provide portrait sessions, motherhood and family sessions, and wedding photography with a strong focus on connection and storytelling. My goal is to create an experience where clients feel comfortable, seen, and genuinely themselves in front of the camera. A lot of people come to me feeling nervous or unsure about being photographed, and I help guide them in a way that feels natural rather than forced.

What sets me apart is the balance I bring between emotion and technique. I’m very intentional with light, composition, and detail, but I’m equally focused on the feeling behind the image. I blend the crispness of digital with the softness and depth of film to create galleries that feel both polished and deeply personal. I also strongly believe in community over competition, and that mindset has shaped how I grow, collaborate, and show up for both my clients and other creatives.

One of the things I’m most proud of is building my business from the ground up while continuing to evolve creatively. Stepping into weddings independently has been a huge milestone for me, and incorporating film into those spaces has made the work feel even more meaningful.

I want potential clients to know that when they work with me, they’re not just booking a session—they’re investing in an experience and in memories that are meant to last. My work is rooted in real connection, intentional storytelling, and creating images that feel like you—not overly posed, but honest, emotional, and timeless.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My creative journey is really driven by the desire to preserve genuine, meaningful moments in a way that feels honest and lasting. I’ve always been drawn to the emotional side of photography—the in-between moments, the quiet connections, and the stories that don’t need to be overly posed to be powerful.

As I’ve grown, that mission has deepened into creating work that feels both intentional and timeless. Blending digital and film has played a big role in that for me, because it allows me to capture both the crispness of the moment and the raw emotion behind it.

I also feel really strongly about creating a space where people feel comfortable being themselves. A lot of my clients come in feeling nervous or unsure, and part of my purpose is helping them feel seen, confident, and at ease.

Long-term, my goal is not only to continue growing creatively, but also to step into education and mentorship—being able to pour into other photographers the same way others have poured into me. At the core of everything I do is intention, connection, and storytelling.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has honestly been building genuine connections and focusing on experience just as much as the final images.

A lot of my growth has come from word-of-mouth referrals and repeat clients, which I think speaks to how important it is to make people feel comfortable and taken care of throughout the entire process—not just during the session, but from inquiry to final gallery delivery.

I’ve also learned the importance of showing up consistently and authentically, especially on social media. Sharing real sessions, behind-the-scenes moments, and my growth as a photographer has helped attract clients who truly connect with my work and my approach.

Another big part of my growth has been investing in mentorships and staying connected within the creative community. I strongly believe in community over competition, and building relationships with other photographers has opened doors, created opportunities, and allowed me to keep learning and evolving.

At the end of the day, I think people are drawn to work that feels real—and when you lead with connection and intention, the right clients naturally follow.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://novelettephotography.mypixieset.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/novelette_photography?igsh=MXU4NWRzb2prdnI5NA==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18nKLwRce4/

Image Credits

I’m the owner of all these images the photo of me is creds to Hayley Keppler !