Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Joely Hackmann. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Joely, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

It all started in my small town of Basehor, Kansas. Ever since my freshman year of High School I have had a go getter attitude. I was always looking for something more to do that could challenge me, excite me, and give me a little extra cash to spend. Most of my friends where focused on grades, sports, or just hanging out. My freshman year of High School I asked my family to buy me a camera to started this adventure. While still being in high school I didn’t know how to manage finances, book clients or market myself. Without the help of my school Innovation academy program I couldn’t have learned all of this.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hi There! I’m Joely Hackmann, the owner and creator of Joely Hackmann Photography. I started my business as a freshman in high school, and began the passion for capturing the beauty of life’s most important moments. My main focus is seniors, weddings, engagements and couples.

How I Got Started: I asked my family for a camera my freshman year of high school for chirstmas . During my second sesmter I started taking sports photos for my school and taking picutures for my friends. During that summer it became clear that I had passion for it. Throught my years I have gotten hands on expereinces, constant learning and deep commitment to making each shoot memorable for my clients.

The Services I Provide: I offer a range of services with a focus of High School/College seniors, weddings, engagements and couples.

What I’m Most Proud Of: There is so much I’m proud of, but I would say the thing I’m most proud if booking my own wedding at the age of 16. I have built my business from the ground up and turn a passion into career. I have a support familty and friends that pushes me to the best I can.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

When I first started my business, I knew social media was going to be one of the best ways to reach potential clients, especially since I was a freshman in high school.
1. Consistency is key: One of the first things I did was commit to posting consistently. Whether it was a recent photoshoot, behind the scenes content or tips for getting great photos. By doing this I kept my followers engaged and helped my content get noticed by more people.
2. Mini Session for any season: Early on I saw a tip from another photographer starting out that mini session was a great way to bring in new clients and get my name out there. I started offering themed mini sessions like fall minis, spring seniors photos and chirstmas minis.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

For me Instagram and Facebook have been definitely the best source of new clients as a photographer.

Instagram:
This gives me a visual and direct way to showcase my work in highly engaging shareable format.
1. Visual Portfolio: Instagram is perfect for showcasing my photos. I’ve curated my feed to highlight my best work, whether it’s senior photos, engagement sessions, or weddings. When potential clients scroll through my page, they get an immediate sense of my style and quality. Since most people looking for a photographer want to see the kind of work they can expect, Instagram allows me to show off my portfolio 24/7.
2. Stories & Engagement: Instagram Stories are a great way to keep my audience engaged between posts. I share behind-the-scenes looks at my shoots, quick tips, or sneak peeks of upcoming projects. Stories feel more personal, and when followers engage through polls or questions, it builds a relationship. I also use Instagram DMs to personally connect with people who comment on my posts or have questions about my services.

Facebook:
While Instagram is where I showcase my visual work, Facebook has been the platform where I’ve gained more direct engagement and bookings. Here’s why:
1. Local Reach via Facebook Groups: One of the biggest drivers of new clients for me has been Facebook mom groups and local community groups. These groups are full of people actively looking for recommendations, whether it’s for senior photographers, wedding photographers, or family shoots.
2. Engaging with Followers: On Facebook, I make an effort to respond to comments and messages as quickly as possible. I also share posts about my own journey as a photographer, tips for couples or seniors preparing for photoshoots, and other valuable content. People love when you make them feel like they’re part of the process. This level of engagement has led to a lot of repeat clients and referrals—because when people feel seen and heard, they tend to refer you to their friends and family.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sites.google.com/view/joelyhackmannphotography/home?authuser=1&pli=1
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joelyhackmannphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joelyhackmannphotography

Image Credits

Joely Hackmann