Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Heather Hagler. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Heather, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.
I never considered myself a creative or artistic person. In fact, I earned my degree in Mathematics over 10 years ago and have been working as a secondary math teacher ever since—definitely more left-brained than right-brained.
That said, I’ve always loved taking photos with my iPhone and editing them for social media. Over the years, a few friends asked me to take their family photos, and I started to wonder if photography might be something I could pursue. But between teaching and everything else life brought, it always felt out of reach.
A few years later, I lived with a roommate who was an incredibly talented photographer. I was amazed by both the beautiful work she created and the life she had built around it. Watching her planted a seed that stayed with me.
Last year, I finally decided it was time to give photography a real shot. I wanted to see if I could build a business, run a business, and most importantly, if I truly enjoyed it. My husband and I purchased a camera with one agreement: I would pay it off within a year, or I would sell it.
Within a month, I had already earned enough from sessions to pay for the camera in full.
Looking back, that leap of faith was one of the best risks I’ve ever taken.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I photograph families, maternity sessions, newborns, seniors, engagements, weddings, headshots, and branding sessions. One of the things I enjoy most about this stage of my career is discovering what types of photography resonate most deeply with me. Every session is unique because every person and season of life is unique.
At its core, I believe my work is about helping people preserve memories and see themselves in a new light. Many clients arrive feeling nervous or uncomfortable in front of the camera. One of my favorite parts of the process is watching that nervousness fade as they become more confident and relaxed. By the end of a session, people are often laughing, connecting naturally, and feeling more like themselves. Those genuine moments are the ones I love capturing.
My photography style is a blend of true-to-color, lifestyle, and cinematic imagery. I want my photos to feel authentic while still having an artistic quality that evokes emotion and tells a story. I carefully edit each image with intention, giving every gallery the time and attention it deserves.
What sets me apart is the combination of my background as an educator and my heart for people. Teaching taught me how to connect with individuals from all walks of life, make people feel comfortable, and bring out the best in them. Those same skills have become some of my greatest strengths as a photographer. I care deeply about creating an experience where clients feel seen, valued, and celebrated—not just photographed.
The thing I am most proud of is that I had the courage to pursue something completely different after spending a decade building a career in another field. Photography has stretched me creatively, challenged me personally, and taught me to trust God in ways I never expected. As I prepare to step away from the classroom and pursue photography full-time, I feel incredibly grateful for the people who have trusted me to document some of the most important moments of their lives.
If there is one thing I hope people know about me and my brand, it is that I genuinely care. I care about the experience, the relationships, the details, and the memories being preserved. My goal is not simply to deliver beautiful photographs—it is to create images that bring people back to a feeling, a season, and a story they never want to forget.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
The best source of clients for my business has been word of mouth. There is no greater compliment than having a past client recommend me to a friend or family member. When someone trusts me enough to refer me to the people they care about, it means so much because photography is such a personal experience.
Social media has also played a huge role in helping me grow. It has allowed me to share my work, connect with new people, and showcase the types of stories and moments I love to capture. Many of my inquiries come from people who have seen my photos online and feel connected to my style and approach before we ever meet.
I think the combination of personal referrals and social media has been incredibly powerful. Referrals build trust, while social media allows people to get a sense of who I am, what my work looks like, and what they can expect from working with me.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
One of the most effective strategies for growing my clientele has been finding ways to become known within a specific community or niche. For example, with senior photography, once you photograph a few students at a particular high school, word can spread quickly. Friends see each other’s photos, share them on social media, and recommendations naturally follow. Building trust within one community can create a ripple effect that leads to many future clients.
At the same time, I think there is value in becoming known for a specific type of photography. Whether it’s seniors, families, weddings, or branding, specializing helps potential clients immediately understand what you do and who you serve. People are often more likely to hire someone who is recognized for a particular expertise.
That said, when you’re first starting out, I think it’s important to say yes to a variety of opportunities. Photographing different types of sessions helped me discover what I enjoy most, build experience, and develop my style. I learned something valuable from every session, and those experiences ultimately helped me identify the direction I want to take my business.
My advice would be to stay open-minded in the beginning, gain as much experience as you can, and then gradually narrow your focus as you discover where your strengths, passions, and ideal clients align.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://heatherhaglerphoto.pixieset.com/
- Instagram: @heatherhaglerphoto
Image Credits
Heather Hagler