We were lucky to catch up with Miranda Heitmann recently and have shared our conversation below.
Miranda, appreciate you joining us today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?
When I graduated high school, I went to college and played volleyball and pursued a degree in Psychology. When I graduated, I used that degree to work in foster care and child protective services for nearly ten years. I worked in various departments during my time in drug and alcohol testing, managing a group, foster care specialist, licensing specialist, and training. What I found is that I loved planning curriculum, being in the front of the room, and teaching others about something I was passionate and knowledgable about. I completed my master’s in teaching, and I worked as a high school English teacher for nearly ten years. I loved so many aspects about this job. I loved the kids, my colleagues, the parents, the curriculum, my classroom, etc. When COVID hit, life changed. Kids became zombie-like, attached to their phones, detached from reality, it was beyond my comprehension. I tried to stick it out for another few years, but ultimately, things weren’t the same. I loved what I did, I loved the connections I made, but I needed to step away for now. Photography has been something I have always loved. I was never a photographer, per se, but I created Pinterest boards, followed so many photographers that I loved, dreamed of getting our family pictures done by one of these creators, and so on. I decided to bet on myself. I knew very little about a camera, but I did know how to talk to people and the vision I wanted to create for them. When I was about eleven, our family home (over 100 years old) burned down and with that, my childhood pictures burned with it. Pictures mean the world to me since then and since becoming a mom to three kids. I had about ten pictures on my graduation day of me as a little girl, I so wish my parents would have kept some in various places to ensure that would never happen, but here we are! I think this experience shaped who I am and even a part of what led me to wanting to create these special moments for others. I started photography in September, and I have invested everything I have into it. I immediately created a website, gave away free sessions, upgraded my camera and lenses, advertised, created a social media page, and off I went! I am actually attending some wild workshops this next year: one in home with Hailey Faria, one in OKC with Hailey in April, and one in ICELAND in June. I think starting when I did was the perfect timing, and I plan on pouring my soul into my work this year, bring on 2025!
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?
As a recovering high school teacher and mom of three, photography gives me the ability to be creative, bring visions to life, use my skill set, learn (lifelong learner here..), and be around people in my community that want the same things that I do–cute pictures to hang on their wall with a story attached. I started with the idea of shooting family photos and now, only a few months in, I have done two weddings, a fresh hospital 48, baseball tournament photos, senior sessions, headshots, business photos, and I have inquiries for some unique shoots already for this upcoming year. I am so proud of myself for taking this leap of faith, trusting that I will do what it takes to be successful, and for showing my kids that a dream doesn’t just have to be a dream.
How did you build your audience on social media?
This one is a struggle, so I want to talk about it. Building your social media is a huge pain. I would say the market is flooded with photographers trying to make it, and while I love that for all of us, sometimes it feels like there isn’t space for all of us. You have to post constantly in order to stay at the forefront of the algorithm, and you must post things people like because a quick unfollow can be painful when you are just starting out. I guess one thing I learned is that I don’t really care what others think about me, I am here for the ones that do care. If you want to see my work, follow me! If you want me to go away from your feed, no hard feelings. I am not for everyone.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My kids, Emma (16), Boston (12), and Ruby Jane (9) drive me every single day. My husband allows me to be creative and unhinged at times, and I love him for it. He has always said, bet on yourself because no one else is going to do it for you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mirandaheitmannphotography.mypixieset.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2Oc1nTffvG463Xy4295Iot39DpsmixMbuniFNUUNIlNgn7-rnFlug76ro_aem_Nu6rTJzpQc9DPwsUxPiJ4w
- Instagram: @mirandaheitmannphotography
- Facebook: Miranda Heitmann Photography
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/mirandaheitmanphotography/?actingBusinessId=134897088747015996
