We recently connected with Johanna Hribal and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Johanna thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I started my photography business in 2018 as a way to make extra money as a teacher, but within 3 years I actually beat my teaching salary (with 8 years tenure and a Master’s degree) and was shocked that I could be so successful and so happy in such a short amount of time.

For the first 3 years, I was juggling both careers and this led me to experience burnout. In spring of 2021, I left my career as a public school teacher to pursue photography full time. After experiencing burnout while teaching during the pandemic and the increasing stressors of the career, my mental health was suffering and I needed a change.

This was a huge risk for me, as I did not have a degree in photography and was still relatively new to the industry – but it has been without a doubt THE best decision I have ever made in my life.

Now, in addition to having a successful wedding and branding photography business, I also coach other photographers on how to prevent burnout in their businesses and create a healthier work-life balance.

Johanna, 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?

I’m a formerly burned-out educator turned educator on burnout. I wholeheartedly believe that entrepreneurs can run a business without having to perpetuate a cycle of burnout year after year in their business. In my self-paced online course, photographers can learn how to create income stability year-round by creating balance in every area of their business.

As a photographer, I believe that my human-centered approach is my superpower. Creating a personal connection with my community, showing up authentically and sharing my values help me to magnetically attract my dream clients.

On the creative side, people instantly recognize my vibrant and colorful work! I love working with small businesses and brands to create dynamic images that showcase the best of what they offer.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I always believed in dedicating yourself to one career your whole life. After years of studying and working to earn my Master’s degree and finally settling in to my career for 8 years, I expected it to get easier – but I was not fulfilled.

It terrified me to think about leaving my full time career with benefits for a creative passion that I was fairly new to and did not have a degree in. Although I had been more successful each year in my photography business while I still taught, the imposter syndrome set in and made me hesitant to take the leap.

After 3 years of trying to juggle two careers at once, I realized I had to make a decision because the burnout was affecting my life and my mental health. I decided to choose what made me feel more fulfilled, even if there was a greater risk involved.

This year marks 3 years full time in my business, and I have not once thought about turning back. I know that life is long, and there are many opportunities to explore other career options. Ten years from now, I may be exploring a new career – and it doesn’t scare me because I know that change leads to growth.

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

I don’t have the largest audience by any means, but I chose this question because my advice for those just starting out is QUALITY over QUANTITY. You can have 10k followers, but if <1% of them engage with your content or buy from you, it means nothing for your bottom line.

When I created my coaching business from scratch, I had under 100 followers and had multiple people buy from me – so remember that follower count isn’t everything, and slow growth is still growth.

To encourage organic growth, find ways to connect with your audience, share your story and brand values regularly, and build trust with your audience. Consistency goes a long way, whether that is posting 3xs a week or once a day.

Lastly, don’t feel like you have to do it all yourself – owning a business involves enough tasks, hire a professional so you can focus on big picture tasks if you’re struggling to show up consistently on social media.

Contact Info:

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

Image Credits
All images by me, Johanna Hribal (Frames and Letters Photography)