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

Hannah, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you have a hero? What have you learned from them?

My hero would 100% be my mom. A single mother of four who would do anything to make sure we were happy and loved. Everything I’ve learned, every emotion and challenge I’ve faced, she’s been right there by my side. Something extremely inspiring about my mom is that she makes sure everyone around her is happy while also taking care of herself, she’s the most positive person I’ve ever met and she’s never let me give up on myself. I don’t think my business could’ve been successful without the support of my mom.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I started modeling in high school and essentially just felt the desire to be behind the camera instead of in front of it. Being able to make others smile and feel good about themselves is a feeling I can’t even describe. I specialize in family and lifestyle photography and have been stretching myself to even more since 2018. I love the idea of putting a smile on someone’s face or seeing my work of a happy family on a Christmas card! Because this isn’t my sole job, I aspire to work with budgets and times for my clients to where they would feel comfortable. Family memories, core memories like graduation and engagements shouldn’t break the bank! I don’t limit my photos, whatever I get – you get, and I feel like that makes everyone happy. I never want anyone feeling like they don’t have enough of a special moment!

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Hashtags!! Hashtags were a huge part of building my social media! It allows people to find you based on THEIR preferences, which is a healthy way to build a happy clientele. My friends and family were a huge part as well, I did a lot of portfolio building in the beginning and my besties were incredible and promoting me from the start! Allow yourself to be helped! Don’t be afraid to post EVERYWHERE!! Your personal Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, whatever you have will help you get known.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

“Your business is about the customers. Your only job is to make them happy”. Hear me out – of course photography is about making the customers happy! Our goal is to hype them up and capture their favorite memories! But it’s also YOUR business. Don’t let people take advantage of you.
I had a really unhappy client once (someone I went to high school with), they tried so hard to take advantage of what I was good at, they asked for a refund, a reshoot, they even asked if I could give them the pictures unedited so they could do it themselves (guys don’t do that – half your skill is your editing style). I was trying to people please and give her what I want, but then I had to remember – hey, this is what you’re good at. This is what you worked for. You have a hundred 100% happy clients who wouldn’t do this to you.
Your business is your baby, it’s a part of you and your creative mindset. Express yourself in that! Do you!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://photosbynoelle-com.webnode.com/
• Instagram: @_photosbynoelle_

Image Credits
@_photosbynoelle_