We recently connected with Kristin Healy and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kristin thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear how you think where to draw the line in terms of asking friends and family to support your business – what’s okay and what’s over the line?

My friends and family played a significant role in supporting me when I began my photography business.

Emotional Support: They provided encouragement and believed in my vision, which gave me the confidence to take the leap and start my business.

Financial Assistance: My parents and husband helped with initial startup costs, such as camera equipment and mentorships.

Networking: They connected me with people in their networks who became clients.

Where to draw the line:

Managing Expectations:
Sometimes, family and friends might expect discounts or free services because they’re close to you. It’s okay to establish your pricing and explain that while you appreciate their support, your business needs to be sustainable. Set clear policies if you don’t want to offer discounts or freebies.

Personal Time vs. Business Time:
When you’re starting a business, it can consume a lot of your time and energy. Be mindful not to let your family feel neglected or like you’re only focused on work. Set aside time for family and personal connections, even when you’re in business mode.

Setting business hours is a smart move. By defining your hours, you can ensure that your personal time remains separate from your business time, allowing you to recharge, spend time with loved ones, and pursue other interests.

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?

I’m Kristin, 31, passionate photographer, proud mom of two, and the heart behind Kristin Healy Photography. My journey into wedding photography started in 2o21.

My style is a blend of documentary and artistic photography. I love capturing authentic, candid moments while also creating beautiful, timeless portraits that highlight the emotions of the day. My goal is to make you feel relaxed and comfortable, so I can capture the genuine, unscripted moments that truly represent who you are as a couple.

As a mom of two wonderful kids, ages 5 and 3, I understand the value of time spent with loved ones, and I bring that appreciation for family and connection into my work. I aim to create images that will make you smile, laugh, and even shed a happy tear every time you look back at them. There’s something so rewarding about giving a couple something that lets them relive the most important day of their lives. Knowing that your work will forever hold sentimental value to them is incredibly fulfilling.

One of the most rewarding things about wedding photography is capturing raw, genuine emotions. From the nervous excitement before the ceremony to the joy and love shared between the couple, you get to document some of the most important and heartfelt moments of people’s lives. Another thing I love – every wedding tells a unique story. As a photographer, you’re not just taking pictures; you’re documenting the narrative of the day. Each shot – whether it’s the first look, the vows, the laughter at the reception – helps build that story, creating a timeless memory.

I often wonder how I got so lucky to do what I do. I celebrate peoples’ biggest days with them, constantly get to make new friends and edit images in my sweatpants – it doesn’t get much better than that!

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

What started as a side hustle in 2021 quickly turned into my full-time career, and I couldn’t be happier. As a mom, I wanted something that allowed me to stay creative while also balancing family life. Photography gave me that—and much more.

After shooting a few weddings, I realized this was more than just a hobby. Capturing love, joy, and all the little moments that make a wedding day special became something I couldn’t imagine living without. It wasn’t easy—there were late nights editing photos, juggling family life, and questioning if I was making the right choice—but in the end, I took the leap. Today, I’m a full-time wedding photographer, and it’s the best decision I ever made.

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

Instagram has been a game changer for my photography business. As a visual platform, it allows me to share my work in a way that speaks for itself. Through carefully curated posts and stories, I’m able to showcase my wedding photography, from candid moments to beautifully composed portraits. The more I shared my work, the more people started recognizing my style and reaching out to inquire about my services.

Instagram has allowed me to engage with my followers in a way that goes beyond just posting photos. I regularly interact with couples, other wedding vendors, and even other photographers. Whether it’s through DMs, comments, or sharing behind-the-scenes content, these interactions help build trust with potential clients. They begin to see me as approachable and personable, which makes them more likely to book me for their wedding.

Client testimonials and user-generated content are incredibly valuable. After a wedding, I encourage couples to share their favorite images on Instagram and tag me. Not only does this give me a chance to share their beautiful moments with my audience, but it also serves as social proof that my clients trust me with one of the most important days of their lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kristinhealyphotography.com/
• Instagram: @kristinhealyphotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KristinHealyPhoto
• Other: Google: https://g.co/kgs/e988dN9

Image Credits
1st photo (bridal couple): Planning & Lead: Leah Warner Photography Last 3 photos (solo bride, bridal couple, table setup): Planning & design: @wildeandsageco Venue: @thesearanchlodge Florals: @palomafloral Bar: @twincraftedmobilebar Furniture Rentals: @foundrentalco Linens: @nuagedesignsinc Signage & Stationery: @itspapercliche Couple: @griffinandselah @benandashton Hair & Makeup: @mua.samanthak Dresses: @dalliancegownrentals @shonajoy Shoes: @dolcevita Tux: @friartux Jewelry: @adornpili