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

Alright, Kelly thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. One of the most important things small businesses can do, in our view, is to serve underserved communities that are ignored by giant corporations who often are just creating mass-market, one-size-fits-all solutions. Talk to us about how you serve an underserved community.

Through both my photography business and my multi-purpose space/venue, I strive to contribute to my community in a manner that aligns with its needs and reflects my personal beliefs.

Harper Photography actually emerged from a heartfelt desire to support families in need with professional photos, individuals often facing limited hope, resources, or assistance. Initially, photography was merely a fun hobby, separate from my full-time career as a CPA, which I love. However, a transformative experience helping a friend who couldn’t afford senior photos for her son ignited a passion within me. Witnessing her joy when receiving the images inspired me to explore how I could give back through photography. Answered prayer led me to offering services at my local pregnancy center, prompting the formal establishment of Harper Photography, LLC. I understand the significance of capturing precious moments during the early stages of life and believe that every family deserves the opportunity to cherish these memories. By providing this service, I aim to alleviate financial barriers and ensure that all families have access to professional baby photography, regardless of their circumstances. Through this initiative, I hope to spread love, support, and positivity to families in need, nurturing a sense of community, free of judgment.

Over time, Harper Photography has evolved into a wedding and event photography business, sustaining the ability to continuously provide free services to those deserving families. While I remain committed to offering complimentary sessions, I’ve also extended my reach to photograph nonprofit events for free too, for organizations like United Way, Blessings In a Backpack, and my church. Serving the underserved is the unspoken cornerstone of my business, a mission that I rarely talk about, but am truly passionate about.

Moreover, the Collective started as a shared studio and micro-event space, conceived from my desire to have my own dedicated photography space. Since its inception last November, the Collective has not only been used as a studio for the families I serve through Harper Photography, but also we provide a free space for a local recovery group to meet every week, fostering a sense of community and healing within its walls. This is just the initial chapter for the Collective, and I’m thrilled at the prospect of further avenues to support the underserved as we grow. I am always eager to explore new opportunities for giving back in quiet, unexpected ways.

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?

Welcome to the Collective, located in the heart of Livingston County. I am Kelly Harper, the owner and confounder of this space. I wear many hats—including being a CPA full time, photographer, and owner of this multi-purpose venue. I thrive on staying busy and creativity. Living in Howell with my husband and two cats, I cherish the simple joys of life, like breakfast for dinner. Being sober and living a life of recovery for 14 years has grounded me, while my love for Jesus fuels my spirit. I couldn’t do any of it with out the support of my wonderful husband, Jody, who has always cheered on my creative and entrepreneurial spirit. I’m thrilled to share with you my journey and what sets the Collective apart in the creative and event industry.

My passion for photography and the arts ignited the spark that led to the creation of the Collective. Being a photographer myself, I always wanted my own space where I could serve not only my own clients, but also make it accessible to other photographer to do the same. After being stopped by a train and looking to my right only to see a “FOR RENT” sign on a space with a cute little store front, perfectly located in downtown Howell, I knew, this must be the place. I called the number on the sign that day and was agreeing to the lease terms by the end of the week. So what at first felt like an inconvenient stop by a train, ended up changing everything!

At the Collective, we provide a dynamic and versatile space that caters to the photographers, content creators, event organizers, and creatives of all kinds. From an open photography studio that has the flexibility to convert to an event spaces, we offer a range of services and amenities designed to inspire creativity and foster community.

One of the key problems we solve for our clients is the challenge of finding the right-sized venue for their events. With a capacity of up to forty people, the Collective offers a space that’s perfect for gatherings that are too small for a traditional banquet hall but not quite suitable for hosting at home or say in a restaurant. Whether you’re planning an intimate reception, a creative workshop, or a boutique event, our space provides the ideal setting to bring your vision to life in an atmosphere that’s both inviting and accommodating.

What truly sets us apart is our commitment to building a vibrant and supportive creative community. We believe in the power of collaboration, connection, and shared experiences. Through networking events, collaborative projects, and educational workshops, we strive to create opportunities for our community to learn, grow, celebrate, and thrive together.

I’m incredibly proud of the community we’ve already built here at the Collective. Seeing how other photographers use the space is also truly inspiring. And, the ability to bring people together and facilitate meaningful connections is what drives me every day.

For potential clients, followers, and fans, I want you to know that the Collective is more than just a space—it’s a place where creativity knows no limits. Whether you’re looking for a place to work, create, collaborate, or celebrate, we invite you to join us on this journey. Together, let’s bring your creative vision to life at the Collective in Howell. This must be the place.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Building a reputation for such a versatile space involves a unique set of considerations. Here’s how I built a strong reputation for the Collective in such a sort period of time.

Flexible Space Design: I created a space that can adapt to various photography needs as well as accommodate different events and purposes. The layout, lighting, and amenities of the Collective can be customized to suit the requirements of photo shoots, workshops, exhibitions, and other events.

Community Engagement and Collaboration: I really focus on building a sense of community among photographers, vendors, and small business owners. Establishing the Collective as a hub for collaboration, networking, celebration, and inspiration. Hosting networking events, workshops, and collaborative projects encourages interaction and knowledge sharing, fostering a supportive and vibrant creative community.

Versatile Services and Offerings: I offer a range of services and amenities, such as studio rentals, event planning assistance, and educational workshops, to expand the appeal and accessibility of the Collective to a diverse clientele. Tailoring services to meet the needs of photographers, event organizers, business owners and others demonstrates my commitment to supporting their endeavors and contributes to a positive reputation for the Collective.

Customer Experience: Providing exceptional customer service and support has been essential for building a positive reputation and client loyalty. From initial inquiries to post-event follow-up, I ensured that clients and guests received attentive, responsive, and personalized assistance to ensure their experience at the Collective exceeded expectations.

Strategic Marketing and Branding: Developing a strong brand identity and implementing effective marketing strategies helps raise awareness of the Collective and attracts potential clients and collaborators. Utilizing online platforms, social media, professional networks, and targeted advertising showcases the Collective’s offerings, highlighting its unique features.

By focusing on these key areas and consistently delivering exceptional service, support, and facilities, the Collective has established itself as the place to rent for a variety of needs.

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

Word of mouth has proven to be the most powerful source of acquiring new clients for both my photography business and at the Collective. Through positive experiences shared by my existing clients, trust and credibility seems to spread organically. Whether it’s a satisfied client recommending my wedding photography services to a friend or past clients of the Collective referring their family members to our space for upcoming events, the personal endorsement seems to carry a ton of weight. This organic approach not only reflects the quality of service I provide but also underscores the importance of building genuine connections and delivering exceptional results, leading to a steady stream of new clients who value what I offer.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.collectivehowell.com
• Instagram: collectivehowell
• Facebook: collectivehowell

Image Credits
Harper Photography LLC KB Event Co Reed & Co Events