We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Hannah Humlan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hannah, appreciate you joining us today. Everyone has crazy stuff happen to them, but often small business owners and creatives, artists and others who are doing something off the beaten path are often hit with things (positive or negative) that are so out there, so unpredictable and unexpected. Can you share a crazy story from your journey?

In the early days of our photography business, everything revolved around the negative. If you didn’t have the negative, you didn’t have the photograph. There were no backups, no digital files—just a single fragile strip of film that carried all of your work. That meant that every image passed through one critical gatekeeper: the color lab.

This was the place that transformed film into negatives and negatives into prints. Every photographer had to rely on them, and there was no alternative. When you handed over your film, you were handing over your business, your reputation, and your client’s memories. You had to trust that the lab would treat them with care.

Because of that, whenever we walked into the lab, we made sure to treat every single person with kindness and respect. Not out of strategy, but out of a genuine understanding—these were the people who controlled the fate of our work.

Three years into that relationship, we learned just how important that kindness had been. One of the employees at the lab had a breaking point. He decided he no longer cared for the job, the company, or the people he worked with. In a moment of destruction, he set fire to the lab, burning it to the ground.

But when the flames were gone and the ashes settled, we discovered something remarkable: every single one of our files had been saved. That same employee who had set fire to the building had deliberately preserved our negatives.

When asked why, his answer was simple:
“Because they were always very nice to me.”

Hannah, 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?

Redford Photography is a family owned business, which was started over 45 years ago by owners Michael and Peggy Redford. When creating the business, they had one goal in mind – to capture amazing portraits and to create memories for years to come. We truly enjoy the connections we are able to make with our clients, and our goal is to always make the experience fun and easy. What started as a small local studio has grown into a trusted name for generations of families who return to us year after year.

We specialize in child, family, and senior photography, as well as professional portraits, school photos, and special events. Our goal is always the same: to create timeless, high-quality images that truly reflect the personality and story of each client. We understand that photography is more than just a picture — it’s about capturing milestones, preserving memories, and giving families something to treasure for a lifetime.

What sets Redford Photography apart is our combination of experience, artistry, and personal connection. Because we’ve been serving this community for decades, we’ve had the privilege of photographing multiple generations within the same family — from newborns to graduating seniors to family portraits. Our clients trust us not only for the quality of our work but also for the comfortable, enjoyable experience we create during every session.

We are most proud of the legacy we’ve built: a reputation for professionalism, warmth, and consistency that has lasted through changing trends and technologies. While photography styles and tools have evolved, our core values have never changed — treating each client like family and delivering images that make them proud to hang on their walls.

For anyone new to Redford Photography, we want you to know that we are more than just a studio. We are storytellers, memory-keepers, and artists who deeply care about the people we serve. Whether it’s a senior portrait that marks a milestone, a family photo session that captures a moment in time, or a professional headshot that helps you put your best foot forward, our mission is to make sure you not only love the final images but also enjoy the experience of creating them.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding part of being a creative is helping people see themselves in a positive light. I love creating images that not only capture who they are but also boost their confidence. This is especially meaningful when working with high school seniors — a time in life that can feel uncertain and overwhelming. Being able to provide them with portraits that make them feel proud, confident, and celebrated is one of the greatest joys of what I do.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

We stay connected with our clients through a mix of social media, email, and traditional mailings. On social media, we love sharing client highlights, tagging them in their portraits, and engaging with their posts to celebrate milestones beyond the session itself. Through email and mail-outs, we provide updates, special offers, and helpful tips for preparing for photoshoots — resources we know our clients value.

That said, the strongest loyalty is built during the session itself. We approach every client with kindness, patience, and genuine interest, which naturally creates lasting relationships. Many of our clients return year after year, and a large portion of our business comes from referrals. We take that as the highest compliment — a reflection of both the experience we provide and the trust our clients place in us.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.redfordphotography.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/redfordphotography