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

Hi Meghan , thanks for joining 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?

My freshman year of college I was enrolled as an education major, that’s what I had thought I wanted to pursue for so long. Winter term came around, and I was starting to miss how involved I used to be before college. In high school I took yearbook, and it was the highlight of my junior & senior year. I had missed running around with a camera and capturing stories, so I decided to take photography again as an elective. As soon as I got my hands on a camera for the first time in forever, I was ecstatic. I ended up using the rental camera that LCC had given me to do portraits and couples photos for my close friends. I was absolutely loving the whole process, and started to get better at editing my photos. I had been having second thoughts about my major for awhile at that point, and realized that I didn’t want photography to be a hobby, or a side hustle, I wanted to do it all the time. I looked into starting my own business versus finishing out schooling. I talked to career counselors, I talked to my family, and made the decision to push pause on my education. A month later, I took the risk. I spent all my savings on expensive gear and lenses. I finally had a camera of my own. I did this so I could pursue a career I knew I’d love, even though so many people told me I should keep it a hobby. I reached out and did free shoots for so long, then people started offering to pay me. I now am charging rates, booking more than I thought I would be within 8 months, and have booked my first wedding this summer. Taking this risk turned out to be a blessing and I’m so thankful I get to do something that brings me such joy!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Megjanellphotography, is ran and owned by myself, Meghan Hawley. My high school experience within yearbook is where my love for photography grew. It was the first time I had gotten my hands on a professional camera, and got to tell someone’s story. Growing up, I had always loved taking photos and videos on my parents digital cameras as well as my phone. It was such a creative outlet for me to express myself with, whether I caught candid moments of my friends laughing, or even moments where I knew they were falling in love. Scrolling back through these memories always filled me with such emotion, the amount a picture can capture. I’ve always been asked “Why do you have to take pictures of everything?” And as much as I believe in living in the moment, most moments are too precious to only be captured in our minds.

I started my photography business last May, of 2024. I do anything from senior portraits, to couples, to creatives! I currently book and advertise only through social media, but a website is in the works! My services have been in the Eugene area, but I am relocating to Corvallis, OR this summer of 2025. Right now I have multiple package options I provide with different time ranges and gallery sizes, including print release. I book through Instagram & Facebook @megjanellphotography as well as take email inquiries through [email protected].

I’m still a beginner, so I’m taking any business I can get! But, eventually I would love to pursue more engagements, weddings, and travel photography! Making photography my full time job, is my passion. The fact that I get to capture people’s biggest life moments and accomplishments will always be such a privilege to me. The rush I get sending out a gallery waiting to hear if my clients loved it is beyond compare. I’m thankful to God, and most proud of myself for taking a leap of faith and starting my own business regardless of little to no pay. Regardless of not starting sooner or knowing enough about the industry. Regardless of the slow months that were to come. As an Oregon beginner photographer, this winter has been hard. But I keep looking forward to the nicer weather around the corner and can’t wait to resume capturing.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for me growing clientele has been to reach out to people individually. When I first moved on from only working with family and friends, I had sent direct messages to so many mutuals and strangers asking if they’d do free shoots with me! That eventually turned into offering discounted shoots instead, and the more content I had to post, the more people were noticing me. I also go out of my way constantly to follow a bunch of people within my target market, and that will get me noticed plus inscrease followers as well. It’s also important to advertise constantly and ask what your clients want to see!

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

To begin with, I try to make my shoots as personable as they can be. I want to do whatever in my power to make my clients comfortable and confident, and that starts with getting to know more about them. I always reach out leading up to shoots to check in, as well as going over how things went directly after shooting. I try to give sneak peaks to clients to keep that excitement alive as they’re waiting for galleries, and of course want to hear as much feedback as I can after I deliver clients photos. There’s always more to improve on. I think it’s important to befriend these clients, check up on them and offer future discounts. Comment on their feeds and be apart of their community, that’s what helps build brand loyalty.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: megjanellphotography
• Facebook: megjanellphotography
• Other: email is [email protected]

Image Credits

Meghan Hawley