We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nataki Alexander-hewling a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Nataki thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

I began working as a photography professional about 20 years ago. I conducted photo research for clients such as book and magazine publishers. I also love to photograph people, places, and things but I never considered making it a career. about 10 years into my career I had developed a real love for photography and only considered work related to Photography. I started to teach myself how to use the camera my Father had given me upon college graduation. As I learned and got better I volunteered my services to people I knew and charged a little here and there. As I got better, I would seek out corporate clients and I continued to grow. I still considered the work I did “just a hobby, a side hustle.” During the pandemic I decided that I would combine my love for photography, and my experience working for publishing to start a business that would cater to anyone who desired visual solutions for themselves or their companies. Once I established my LLC and became M/WBE certified with New York City, I was able to acquire work from larger clients and more frequently. What I love most about my work is that I am also in a position to mentor young girls and put them in position to earn money as photographers through my HERShot! photo collective for girls. It’s been quite a journey and I’m thankful to all that I’ve achieved so far and looking forward to what’s coming!

Nataki, 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 took a photography class in college and the professor was amazed by my work and her compliment made me want to pursue photography more. So I did. I brought my canon film camera with me everywhere and really fell in love with photography. Fast forward 5 years, I didn’t have a clue about the kinds of jobs that were available for people who loved photography until I got to New York City. Upon arrival, I found temporary gigs for publishing houses. media conglomerates, and more. It was exciting. I got to research photography and digitize analog photos for photography agencies. Because I was great at taking photos, I was often asked by family and friends to do shoots. Sometimes they paid, and sometimes they did not. I didn’t care because I was getting the experience and making a name for myself. After many gigs and interest from larger clients I decided to seriously consider forming a business using the skills I had obtained through the years as a photo researcher/Editor and Photographer. I was able to do photo research for multiple clients as a freelancer and while that was enjoyable and profitable, I wanted to be a photographer. I started putting money aside from my freelance gigs to save for a DSLR camera. Once I purchased a professional camera, my career took off. I’m still growing and so are the price of cameras and lens so now is the time for me to pick up as many gigs as possible so that I can upgrade my equipment.

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

I learned how to allow for change in my original plan for HERShot! I was invited to a “how to get a grant” meeting and I really didn’t feel like going but my friend encouraged me. After the meeting, I met with the grant administrators and I was encouraged to apply. I really never wrote a grant but I did my research and just completed. I was a winner of the grant and that was the beginning of my HERShot! Mentoring program. My plan was to create a space for young girls to express themselves using photography while learning photography skills. The mentoring program expanded when we teamed up with KenyaConnect. We were now serving girls in Kenya who have expressed how much they love the program and how much they benefit from it. I didn’t have any idea that HERShot would change the way it did. The small photo collective for girls grew rapidly and as the girls learned photography, community organizations were asking if they could photograph events and so forth. This small photo collective turned into something bigger and it reminded me to allow that for my LLC, allow change and growth. Plans can be adjusted.

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

My social media presence is good I’d say, but most of the time through recommendations from clients. It’s great to develop positive connections with clients so that they recommend you and always bring you back for more work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hershotproductions.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natakihewlingphotography
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataki-hewling-2616495/