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

Haven, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

I started my photography business soon after having my first child. My husband and I had only been married less than a year when she was born. We were living pay check to pay check trying to survive. Getting food from food banks, friends, or church’s. I realized that being a stay at home mom and soley surviving off my husbands income wasn’t going to work. I also had worked as a cna before having my first child and I did not want to work those crazy hours and miss out on my child growing up. Those first few years are the best so I asked myself “what could I do that I would make a decent living doing but also enjoy doing?”. My mom had gotten a camera for herself when I was a freshman in high school and when my husband and I were dating in high school I went to his football games and took photos using my moms camera of him and his team mates. I loved doing that, so I figured maybe I could make a living doing photography. I used my moms camera for the first few months and after successfully making a small business I upgraded my equipment, got more experience, took classes, went to seminars and model shoots, and meet with other local photographers to get advise. Here I am three years later making more than my husband ever has. I am successfully running a full time business while also being a stay at home mom and enjoying my children’s childhood. If I hadn’t taken that risk of putting everything into starting this business I honestly would have no idea where we would be today.

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 am 24 years old. Grew up and live in a very small town in Western North Carolina. I have 2 children who are my entire world. My husband and I have been together 10 years, married 4. I got into photography 3 years ago and have been perfecting my craft since then. I offer photography services for weddings, parties, graduations, portrait sessions, couples wanting to capture their love through a lens, family portraits, generational portraits, basically any type of photoshoots. I want to provide a service but also connect with my clients on a deeper level, so at the end they will have photos but also a new friend that they will want to keep inviting back to capture moments in their life. I think what sets me apart is my kindness and that I will go above and beyond for my clients. I am most proud that despite my setbacks in this career I kept striving, working, improving myself and my business. I want future clients to know that I have poured my heart and soul into building this business and I don’t take that lightly. I will provide the best service I possibly can, and try to always make sure they are happy at the end of the day.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The best source for me is starting my rep program for my business. To put it simply every year I get new reps to represent my business in return they receive free sessions for the year, a discount code, brand merch, and a trip to somewhere local. I have done this since my first year of starting and it has brung me so many new clients. My reps will post pictures I have done for them, they put their discount code and anyone who books a session with me receives that discount of their price. I have had one rep in particular who has been a rep all 3 years. She has been amazing to work and her images have gotten me published in 2 magazines.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Posting consistently, having clients post their images you took and tag your page, making relevant trending posts.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://havenenglish-photography.mypixieset.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAadwIYJ-asU4dnrJsaiO3ydE4UwP_B7-eyoBwZt4K7cCKh_RSNLuTvwFXgG8wg_aem_4aFskQPSav4Ke0R4GWvIDQ
• Instagram: havenenglishphotography
• Facebook: Haven English Photography
• Other: Tiktok: havenenglishphotography

Image Credits

First and last image was taken by Anniebeth Photography, Annie Elizabeth Duggar
The other images was taken by Sierra Hutcheson with SNH Photography