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Sed ut perspiciatis unde.
SubscribeWe caught up with the brilliant and insightful Hannah Hays a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hannah, 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?
I always think of this question! The what-ifs had I not taken my business full time. I always have had a passion for photography. When I was in high school, I was gifted a little green camera. I called it the grinch camera (LOL). Photography became an escape from reality. I immediately knew I loved it, but had no idea where to go with it. Then life happened and it got put on the back burner.
When I finally started my business, I was working as a private pre-k/preschool teacher. I always thought I would go into teaching or social work. But in 2016 my life changed – my mom almost died and I needed an escape from reality again. My husband told me to pick up my camera and start photographing, so I did. In 2017, I left my job and haven’t looked back. Sometimes, I find myself wondering where I would be if I hadn’t started my photography business. Would I have a degree in teaching or social work? Would I be doing something completely different? Would I still be in Texas?
These questions often come to my mind, but at the end of the day, I am doing something that I absolutely love doing. I am so happy capturing these precious moments in someone’s life. It brings my heart so much joy, knowing that I am capturing a moment that will forever be frozen in time.
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 started my love for photography when I got my first point and shoot camera for Christmas – it was Grinch green hints calling the camera the Grinch (LOL!) That was way before I actually started my business. Photography has been such a love for me for as long as I could remember.
I got into the industry when I originally thought I wanted to do maternity sessions, but I learned that comes with photographing newborns. It takes a special person to do that! I went to a wedding as a second shooter and I was hooked from that moment. I started posting online, looking for someone to give me a chance to photograph their wedding (not sure I would do it that way again if I had to start all over). Then, someone finally gave me a chance on their wedding day. I fell head over heels for weddings. The details, the love, the romance—just captured my heart. It was not easy at first, I made a ton of mistakes and there was a huge learning curve. But nevertheless, I pushed forward and taught myself, learned from those hard lessons, and grew as an individual and business owner. Those moments I consider growing pains are times I often look back on to see how far I have come. I am still learning to this day. You will never know everything about your craft.
I think what sets me apart from other photographers in the industry is that I strive to be a bride advocate – I love becoming more than a vendor on a wedding day. I like to become friends with my brides and grooms! I make sure that I am there whenever they need me, whether it’s a listening ear or advice; I am always there! It’s no different on wedding days. I make sure that my bride and groom are both comfortable, I make sure that they do not stress because that’s the last thing we need!
Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?
So, this is a little funny but I got upgraded from that point and shoot to a canon rebel t3i for Christmas one year and I used that camera for the longest time. In 2016, when my husband and I were discussing me going full time, we didn’t have the money for me to go out and get brand new equipment. That just was where we were at in life. We had just gotten married and were looking for a place so we could move out of my parent’s house ( we were broke 20-year-olds LOL). Well, tax season came and my husband graciously let me use our tax refund to get my business going. I was able to get a lens and camera body used, a 50 mm and a Canon Mark III. From there I would use some of the earnings that I got from different shoots to upgrade my lens, flashes, or whatever I needed at that time!
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
Word of mouth and social media definitely plays a huge role in growing my clientele! I find clients on social media and they become long-time clients. But the word of mouth from brides, family members, and other vendors is where it is at! 95% of my couples + clients come from word of mouth! Those client + vendor relationships are so important for recommendations.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Headshot – Ashley Jordan Photo
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